Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
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In this thread I rank my favorite post-Beatles Beatles songs: 291-1. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter krista4
- Start date
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
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krista4
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
I'd be an awful politician for a lot of reasons. Many years ago a couple of my colleagues who were heavily involved in Chicago politics tried to recruit me that I should run for a particular position, an idea I didn't entertain for a second.
krista4
Footballguy
I hope you guys won't mind, but I suspect my write-ups for the top five will be shorter than usual. Aw hell, no one reads them anyway, right? But (1) with the possible exception of "Beware Of Darkness," these are all well-known and beloved songs, so maybe I can give some history or tidbits, but there's not much I could tell you about the musical bits that you don't already have in mind, and (2) I'm tired.
The fun tomorrow (for me) will be revealing the winners of the contest and the $300 charitable donation, plus $100 for anyone who got the overall #1. Again a big thanks to Morton for upping the ante last night with some additional charitable donations. I should say that he offered a substantial sum to my charity, but I asked him to divide that among charities nominated by Pip, Morton himself, and me, so three charities have already received donations as a result of the thread. Amazing! Makes me love you all (except Pip, obviously).
(Kidding, GB Pip.)
The fun tomorrow (for me) will be revealing the winners of the contest and the $300 charitable donation, plus $100 for anyone who got the overall #1. Again a big thanks to Morton for upping the ante last night with some additional charitable donations. I should say that he offered a substantial sum to my charity, but I asked him to divide that among charities nominated by Pip, Morton himself, and me, so three charities have already received donations as a result of the thread. Amazing! Makes me love you all (except Pip, obviously).
(Kidding, GB Pip.)
Morton Muffley
Footballguy
Yep, three great causes:
- Hunger (personal connection to Krista)
- Arts (personal connection to Pip)
- Healthcare (personal connection for me)
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krista4
Footballguy
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
This sounds like something that was written three centuries ago and has lasted to this day. Only the premium stuff does that.
Morton Muffley
Footballguy
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I forget if Wikkid weighed in on this one, but it had to have been an absolute gut punch for a Beatles fan to hear this for the first time in 1970. The guy who told us that all we need is love and to give peace a chance was now telling us that life sucked and nothing was worth believing in except yourself and your loved ones. And was confirming that the decision to break up the Beatles was irreversible. All set to an incredible arrangement that reminded us of why we were so excited about his talents in the first place. I only know this as an incredibly downbeat but important song in John's catalog. It must have been cathartic for those who were there for his crowning achievements with the Beatles.18. John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band – God (John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, 1970) Spotify YouTube
(John #4)
Are there are songs on this album that I don't describe as "brutal"? Must be why I like it so much.While "Mother" was a shrieking exercise in brutality, "God" is a quieter and more subtle version, which makes it even more affecting to me. This is by far my favorite song on the record, but (or maybe because) it is impossibly sad to me, even though John might not have intended it entirely that way. Hearing him declare, in the last line of the song, "the dream is over" after already disavowing the Beatles (among many other things) sounds like the door loudly slamming shut with finality not only on the band, but on an entire era.
My favorite line of the song, the most poignant to me in any post-Beatles song from John, is "I was the Walrus, but now I'm John." He sings it with such delicacy and vulnerability, and that little hesitation before he almost speaks rather than sings the words "I'm John" - it's all heartbreaking to me. John is beautifully supported by the band in every element, from the gorgeous gospel piano sound from Billy Preston to Klaus Voormann's elegant bass line, but the highlight of the musical accompaniment by far is Ringo, who plays lovingly and creatively, with each of his exquisite drum fills being slightly different. In fact, though John's vocal and lyrics are the centerpiece of this song, I'm going to go ahead and deem this also to be...A RINGO SHOWCASE!
God is a concept by which we measure our pain
I'll say it again
God is a concept by which we measure our pain, yeah
Pain, yeah
I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I-Ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in mantra
I don't believe in Gita
I don't believe in yoga
I don't believe in kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that's reality
The dream is over
What can I say?
The dream is over
Yesterday
I was the dream weaver, but now I'm reborn
I was the Walrus, but now I'm John
And so dear friends, you just have to carry on
The dream is over
&
Note to @Shaft41, while I don't think you have to take the "don't believe" lyrics literally, I still suggest that ShaftDaughter not cover this one.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
As you've said, it's hard to tell when Paul is angry because he couches it in something fun-sounding. I like the electric guitar interjections that happen at random times before the solo, they hint that something is off kilter here. And the solo itself is fantastic. The outro sounds like something the Beatles would have cooked up for Revolver, Sgt Peppers/Magical Mystery Tour or the White Album.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
The slide guitar interlude in the middle is my favorite part. I can see a kinship with the ATMP material, the way it progresses and unfolds is not all that different from some of the mellower songs from there. And the lyrics are indeed lovely.
Morton Muffley
Footballguy
Definitely agree with the gut-punch this must have been to Beatles fans and 60s idealists in general, but I also think there is a more charitable interpretation than "life sucks and there is nothing worth believing in." First, I believe John knew that the song's message would be hard for his fans to hear "and so dear friends," but I really think what he was trying to convey was something more realistically upbeat. Something along the lines of:
- Well, this isn't gonna be as easy as we thought...time for us all to wake up from our silly adolescent daydream of love conquering all and the good guys always winning...we may not be able to have faith in our leaders, but we can have faith in our friends and family. And there are a lot of us. We also shouldn't put our faith in mythical beings that live in the sky either, the work to be done is down here and it starts today. So, let's wake up and get cracking! Let's all get reborn (in a non-denominational way).
- Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse*
*I have no idea how to type an accent aigu; I'm old...it is what it is
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
This is my #1 John and I picked it as yours as well because I get an Across the Universe vibe from it and I know how much you like that one. I just bliss out to both songs.We move inexorably toward my top 10...
15. #9 Dream (Walls And Bridges, 1974) Spotify YouTube
(John #3)
I just realized I have one song from each of John, Paul, and George that I disliked for years and now love. For Paul, it was “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey,” and the George song is yet to come. For John, it’s this one (and by the way, OH still hates this one). Maybe it was too hippy-dippy dreamy, or maybe it was the whispered “John” that I thought for a long time was Yoko but was instead the much more palatable May Pang, or maybe it was the nonsense lyrics of the chorus that made it impossible for me to sing along. But like the others, one day it just clicked for me, and now it’s my third favorite of John’s post-Beatles works. And…I love the hippy-dippy-dreamy feel, and I love the May Pang whisper, though I’m still annoyed I can’t sing along to the chorus.
John had always been fascinated by the number nine: it was his birthday (October 9, 1940), his first childhood home (9 Newcastle Road), the Beatles first show at the Cavern Club (February 9, 1961), the first show at which Brian Epstein saw them (November 9, 1961), their first EMI contract (May 9, 1962), their first appearance on Ed Sullivan (February 9, 1964), the day he met Yoko (November 9, 1966, though that is subject of dispute), and later Sean’s birthday (October 9, 1975). He used it on “Revolution 9,” which appeared on the band’s ninth UK studio album, and “One After 909,” and as a big believer in numerology, he also pointed out the numerous instances in which notable people or events in his life contained nine letters.Fittingly, this song, which was released on his ninth non-Beatles album and in the ninth month of 1974, reached #9 on the US charts. It was said to have come to him in a dream, including the non-singalong line “Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé,” which had to be clarified (changed?) to indicate he was saying poussé rather than “#####,” which would have given the censors fits. Initially the song was called “So Long Ago,” and then “Walls and Bridges,” which as I mentioned in my ---INTERLUDE--- for the album was a reference to John’s wanting to be close to people yet repelling them, building walls and bridges simultaneously.
The song begins with a George-like guitar intro (purportedly at the direction of John to “play like George”) and then becomes a rich, sumptuous sonic cornucopia of strings, horns, and layered vocals. John wrote the string arrangement, based on an arrangement he’d put together for Harry Nilsson’s cover version of “Many Rivers To Cross” on his ##### Cats album. The vocal is stunning, using echo, double-tracking and tape delay to create the ethereal effect. The song also features backward vocals in the Beatles vein, when Pang’s “John” is reversed to "Nhoj" after the words “music touching my soul” and "something warm, sudden cold" just before the final choruses. Altogether the depth and complexity of the production on this song makes its atmosphere a haunting, yet magical and soothing, experience for me.
I don't know what the proper musical term for this is, but the way his voice and the melody turn at 1:05, just before the buildup to the nonsense hook line, is one of my favorite moments in John-dom. I also love the turns the strings take at 3:00-ish.
This is indeed music that touches the soul.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I would not be surprised if John agreed with your interpretation, as he was very much about encouraging people to take action for whatever reason. But he sure doesn't SOUND like he thinks there's a solution, or even that one can be found if we put in the work.
* - alt somethingorother. Or copy and paste from someone who did it correctly.
Morton Muffley
Footballguy
yeah, I admit the "we can all do this together" definitely isn't in the lyrics anywhere but I like to think his singing tone is akin to knowing that you are waking people up to a harder reality than the state they are in right now. It must be done, but you wonder if ignorance isn't bliss and that they'd prefer to remain asleep. Still, the fact that he's trying at all suggests that he thinks it's better for ALL of us to be awake in reality than asleep in a fantasy
*am too old to learn, and retain, what the alt key does
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krista4
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
Those changes where the piano comes in strong make me think of the end of the live version of "Maybe I'm Amazed." I always wait for that last little trill, and it never comes.
Had never considered the Across the Universe comparison and should have. I do think this touches the soul more than any other John solo song.
krista4
Footballguy
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
Shaft41
Footballguy
I'm not really a fan of too many popular pop culture type things, but there is always this desire to rank them. Krista's list is different, because it's her personal ranking, not an attempt at determining definitively what is the "best", but I always see rankings of the best "Seinfeld" episodes or the best seasons of "Survivor" (which are like the only two other pop culture things I'm a devoted fan of other than the Beatles). I've never gotten into doing rankings, and I never really knew why. I think these last couple days on this countdown has solidified the reason why for me. It's too #######' hard! Seriously, once we got to the top 40 of this countdown, I have no clue how to differentiate my enjoyment of all these great songs, much less the "greatness" of one over the other. All you people who can do that, kudos to you. My top 40 solo Beatles rankings would have at least 124 songs in it.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
havent been weighing in much because the Top 25 is you guys's wheelhouse and i'd prefer to sit back, love & learn. i'm not a natural Beatles fan - my gen had to choose & i was Stones all the way, dutifully Basquiating my baby sister's Beatle paraphernalia w graffeti. Rubber Soul leaked in cuz of a crush on a girl so i was right there for SPLHCB, but i dont have the foundational reverence of a true fan. there are too few chances to be schooled in my crusty stage of life and i'm not gonna miss one.
plus, if i had done a proper job of defending "Imagine" you wouldnt have had to ask. an important part of polemics is clearing the decks so the auditor can be allowed the intellectual space to consider new concepts. "God" was first and swabbed the decks of all superfluity cuz that's what real freaks were all about. my grandfather, a half-breed dirt farmer who fashioned himself a gentleman was known to say. "We are born simple, die simple and spend most of the time between complicating the blazes out of everything" God bless him. those like John & i were neither nihilists or anarchists, simply aware of ALL the bull#### packed around every human endeavour and our first consideration was to see what of that we could do without.
It's not "imagine sharing/Imagine caring/Imagine feeling/Imagine dealing fairly and carefully in all our deeds". it's "imagine NO heaven/NO hell/NO possessions/NO countries" No granfalloons, affectations, compensations, participation trophies, excuses, perversions. Truth, beauty, love are plenty and, if there's a God responsible for any of that, well i'd like to buy him a drink. for now, it's just me, Regina & me.
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This is my favorite John song as well. As I mentioned in one of my first posts, I was not as big of a fan of his solo work either but love some of the individual songs like this. This is the closest to my favorite Beatles songs by him.
Shaft41
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
"Imagine" there were well-considered words where the blah blahs are.
5. Paul McCartney and Wings - Band On The Run (Band On The Run, 1973) Spotify YouTube
(Paul #2)
Blah blah blah, hopefully you guys read my ---INTERLUDE--- on the album, which will be more elucidating than this, blah blah blah, suite of three different song smushed together which you know I love, blah blah blah, ongoing theme of freedom. Wait! Did you know that one of the lyrics, “if we ever get out here,” was from an Apple Records meeting where George said that? Blah blah blah, escape, blah blah blah, pot busts, blah blah blah, third #1 single for Paul. Hey, even John called this one “great”! Blah blah blah, shockingly strong and confident performance by Paul on drums, blah blah blah, majestic and cinematic, blah blah blah, exhilarating vocal, blah blah blah..
Masterpiece.
5. Paul McCartney and Wings - Band On The Run (Band On The Run, 1973) Spotify YouTube
(Paul #2)
Blah blah blah, hopefully you guys read my ---INTERLUDE--- on the album, which will be more elucidating than this, blah blah blah, suite of three different song smushed together which you know I love, blah blah blah, ongoing theme of freedom. Wait! Did you know that one of the lyrics, “if we ever get out here,” was from an Apple Records meeting where George said that? Blah blah blah, escape, blah blah blah, pot busts, blah blah blah, third #1 single for Paul. Hey, even John called this one “great”! Blah blah blah, shockingly strong and confident performance by Paul on drums, blah blah blah, majestic and cinematic, blah blah blah, exhilarating vocal, blah blah blah..
Masterpiece.
krista4
Footballguy
4. Maybe I’m Amazed (McCartney, 1970) Spotify YouTube
Also Wings - Maybe I’m Amazed (single, 1977) Spotify YouTube
(Paul #1!!!!!!!)
Gahhhhh, I’m really pressed on time now. Some stuff came up today work- and life-wise, and I’ve a buncha stuff…
I think what I would have focused on most about this song is how he made himself, in the original version, sound like a big freaking band. Every element is terrific, but it really sounds like a gosh darned band playing together seamlessly, not a guy with a four-track weaving together a bunch of parts. Amazing achievement. And then, somehow, he even improves this with the live Wings version a few years later, which made it full and majestic, expanding in a way that this sweet ode wouldn’t have seemed able. Every sound on both versions is perfectly placed, and I can never decide which I prefer. Luckily, for countdown purposes I get both, since the first was on an initial album release and the second was released as a single. Yay, me.
Also Wings - Maybe I’m Amazed (single, 1977) Spotify YouTube
(Paul #1!!!!!!!)
Gahhhhh, I’m really pressed on time now. Some stuff came up today work- and life-wise, and I’ve a buncha stuff…
I think what I would have focused on most about this song is how he made himself, in the original version, sound like a big freaking band. Every element is terrific, but it really sounds like a gosh darned band playing together seamlessly, not a guy with a four-track weaving together a bunch of parts. Amazing achievement. And then, somehow, he even improves this with the live Wings version a few years later, which made it full and majestic, expanding in a way that this sweet ode wouldn’t have seemed able. Every sound on both versions is perfectly placed, and I can never decide which I prefer. Luckily, for countdown purposes I get both, since the first was on an initial album release and the second was released as a single. Yay, me.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
John
5 votes - Watching the Wheels (simey, shuke, neal, Dr. Oct, falguy)
WINNERS!
Paul
5 votes - Maybe I’m Amazed (neal, Shaft, Dr. Oct, facook, Binky)
WINNERS!
George
6 votes - What is Life (simey, shuke, Morton, jwb, falguy, Binky)
2 votes each - Beware of Darkness (neal, Dr. Oct); All Things Must Pass (facook, Uruk)
If “Maybe I’m Amazed” is my Paul #1, then:
- If my George #1 is “What Is Life,” then simey, shuke, neal, Dr. O, falguy, and Binky tie with two. Applying the first tiebreaker, which is correctly choosing my Paul song, knocks it down to neal, Dr. O, and Binky. Applying the second tiebreaker, which is correctly predicting my George song, makes Binky the winner.
- If my George #1 is “Beware Of Darkness,” then neal and Dr. Octopus tie with three correct, and also none of the tiebreakers will break the tie. Oops?
- If my George #1 is “All Things Must Pass,” then neal, Dr. O, and facook tie with two correct. The first tiebreaker has no effect, but facook wins on the basis of the second tiebreaker
If “Band On The Run” is my Paul #1, then:
- If my George #1 is “What Is Life,” simey wins with three correct
- If my George #1 is “Beware Of Darkness,” then simey, neal, and Dr. O tie with two correct, and simey wins in the first tie-breaker having correctly predicted the Paul song
- If my George #1 is “All Things Must Pass,” then simey wins with two correct
If neither of these songs is my Paul #1, then…aw c’mon, I’m not that insane.
5 votes - Watching the Wheels (simey, shuke, neal, Dr. Oct, falguy)
WINNERS!
Paul
5 votes - Maybe I’m Amazed (neal, Shaft, Dr. Oct, facook, Binky)
WINNERS!
George
6 votes - What is Life (simey, shuke, Morton, jwb, falguy, Binky)
2 votes each - Beware of Darkness (neal, Dr. Oct); All Things Must Pass (facook, Uruk)
- If my George #1 is “What Is Life,” then simey, shuke, neal, Dr. O, falguy, and Binky tie with two. Applying the first tiebreaker, which is correctly choosing my Paul song, knocks it down to neal, Dr. O, and Binky. Applying the second tiebreaker, which is correctly predicting my George song, makes Binky the winner.
- If my George #1 is “Beware Of Darkness,” then neal and Dr. Octopus tie with three correct, and also none of the tiebreakers will break the tie. Oops?
- If my George #1 is “All Things Must Pass,” then neal, Dr. O, and facook tie with two correct. The first tiebreaker has no effect, but facook wins on the basis of the second tiebreaker
krista4
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
I have to admit at this point that, as a Beatle, George was my least favorite. But as a solo artist, he ends up with my top three songs, and proportionately for output did much better than Paul, John, and Ringo. In fact, until a few days ago I had "Give Me Love" in the #4 slot, giving him my top four. So, apologies to Paul and John people for this top three, and apologies to George people for the first sentence above. No apologies to Ringo people will be made.
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I was mesmerized by "elucidating" didn't even see the blahs until now
believe it , or not, I actually follow this thread closely and it's awesome. I still plan on listening to some of these albums - at least one from each of them (even Ringo !)
What you have accomplished here is herculean
krista4
Footballguy
Hey there! Glad you’re still here!I was mesmerized by "elucidating" didn't even see the blahs until now
believe it , or not, I actually follow this thread closely and it's awesome. I still plan on listening to some of these albums - at least one from each of them (even Ringo !)
What you have accomplished here is herculean
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I’m sure Barbara Bach Starkey is ok with it. As for other Ringo people [data not found]
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
Shaft41
Footballguy
I wanted my daughter to perform this one so bad. Never have been able to talk her into it as of yet. That piano part is sublime and easily makes my list of top 5 piano parts of any Beatles solo song.
Shaft41
Footballguy
Krista asked me to finish this post with more "well-considered" words, since she's pressed for time, so here's the finished writeup. I figured an ode to our boys was in order.
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
I'm going to be unavailable for a few hours, so I'll leave you with my #3 and then come back later this afternoon with the big reveal.
3. What Is Life (All Things Must Pass, 1970) Spotify YouTube
(George #3)
George sings soul! In 1969, George was working on Billy Preston's record That's The Way God Planned It, and while driving to one of the sessions, he came up with this song, which he originally intended to offer to Preston for recording, as he did with "My Sweet Lord." Instead he ended up keeping this classic for himself, which must have been the way God planned it. Not sure what I could say about this song even if I had more time, as it's nearly perfect from the beginning fuzzy guitars through the build to the cacophony at the end. I even love the use of horns in this one. The word "nearly" comes from the place you might expect - the huge Wall of Sound makes George too lost in the song for me. Still it's one of my favorite songs from anyone, ever.
3. What Is Life (All Things Must Pass, 1970) Spotify YouTube
(George #3)
George sings soul! In 1969, George was working on Billy Preston's record That's The Way God Planned It, and while driving to one of the sessions, he came up with this song, which he originally intended to offer to Preston for recording, as he did with "My Sweet Lord." Instead he ended up keeping this classic for himself, which must have been the way God planned it. Not sure what I could say about this song even if I had more time, as it's nearly perfect from the beginning fuzzy guitars through the build to the cacophony at the end. I even love the use of horns in this one. The word "nearly" comes from the place you might expect - the huge Wall of Sound makes George too lost in the song for me. Still it's one of my favorite songs from anyone, ever.
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krista4
Footballguy
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Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
So "It's Johnny's Birthday" is definitely out?
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
I'm going to be unavailable for a few hours, so I'll leave you with my #3 and then come back later this afternoon with the big reveal.
3. What Is Life (All Things Must Pass, 1970) Spotify YouTube
(George #3)
George sings soul! In 1969, George was working on Billy Preston's record That's The Way God Planned It, and while driving to one of the sessions, he came up with this song, which he originally intended to offer to Preston for recording, as he did with "My Sweet Lord." Instead he ended up keeping this classic for himself, which must have been the way God planned it. Not sure what I could say about this song even if I had more time, as it's nearly perfect from the beginning fuzzy guitars through the build to the cacophony at the end. I even love the use of horns in this one. The word "nearly" comes from the place you might expect - the huge Wall of Sound makes George too lost in the song for me. Still it's one of my favorite songs from anyone, ever.
krista4
Footballguy
2. All Things Must Pass (All Things Must Pass, 1970) Spotify YouTube
(George #2)
I think these are George’s best lyrics:
Sunrise doesn't last all morning
A cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up and has left you with no warning
It's not always going to be this gray
All things must pass
All things must pass away
Sunset doesn't last all evening
A mind can blow those clouds away
After all this, my love is up and must be leaving
It's not always going to be this gray
All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
None of life's strings can last
So, I must be on my way and face another day
Now the darkness only stays at nighttime
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
It's not always going to be this gray
All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
All things must pass away
&
1. Beware Of Darkness (All Things Must Pass, 1970) Spotify YouTube
(George #1!!!!!!)
And I think this is George’s best vocal.
It’s not that I compare the two directly, vocal over lyrics. The one with the lyrics also has a stunning vocal, and vice versa. These two are close for me; they both give me chills, and "All Things Must Pass" sometimes brings me to tears from its sheer beauty.
But there’s always been something about “Beware Of Darkness” for me. Every time that vocal starts, I’m breathless until the song ends. I’m not going to try to tie it to anything – this little vocal trill here, this guitar pattern there. It’s simply the only song that, when it comes up in the mix, I stop anything I’m doing and listen every time. And every time I’m fascinated by it and can’t quite understand it. I’m going to keep trying. In the meantime, there’s no song I’d rather hear. While many songs have moved around in my countdown, there's not been any question from the beginning that this is the song that kills me.
My link is to the stripped down version, which is what I listen to and am going to deem my official selection even though it breaks my rules. #### da police! I do what I want!
(George #2)
I think these are George’s best lyrics:
Sunrise doesn't last all morning
A cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up and has left you with no warning
It's not always going to be this gray
All things must pass
All things must pass away
Sunset doesn't last all evening
A mind can blow those clouds away
After all this, my love is up and must be leaving
It's not always going to be this gray
All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
None of life's strings can last
So, I must be on my way and face another day
Now the darkness only stays at nighttime
In the morning it will fade away
Daylight is good at arriving at the right time
It's not always going to be this gray
All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
All things must pass away
&
1. Beware Of Darkness (All Things Must Pass, 1970) Spotify YouTube
(George #1!!!!!!)
And I think this is George’s best vocal.
It’s not that I compare the two directly, vocal over lyrics. The one with the lyrics also has a stunning vocal, and vice versa. These two are close for me; they both give me chills, and "All Things Must Pass" sometimes brings me to tears from its sheer beauty.
But there’s always been something about “Beware Of Darkness” for me. Every time that vocal starts, I’m breathless until the song ends. I’m not going to try to tie it to anything – this little vocal trill here, this guitar pattern there. It’s simply the only song that, when it comes up in the mix, I stop anything I’m doing and listen every time. And every time I’m fascinated by it and can’t quite understand it. I’m going to keep trying. In the meantime, there’s no song I’d rather hear. While many songs have moved around in my countdown, there's not been any question from the beginning that this is the song that kills me.
My link is to the stripped down version, which is what I listen to and am going to deem my official selection even though it breaks my rules. #### da police! I do what I want!
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krista4
Footballguy
Congrats to @neal cassady and @Dr. Octopus!!!
I don't know how you guys managed to get all three of my non-Ringo choices, when they were a variety of chalk and non-chalk. Especially with all those good Paul choices available, and that I took a non-standard George song...wait, are you in my brain???
So, you guys tied, and my tie-breakers didn't help. Since I had vowed to donate $100 for each overall #1 as well as the $300 for the winner, I'm going to deem you co-winners and send $300 to each of your charities. Just let me know where it should go and if there's any particular tribute you wish to make.
I don't know how you guys managed to get all three of my non-Ringo choices, when they were a variety of chalk and non-chalk. Especially with all those good Paul choices available, and that I took a non-standard George song...wait, are you in my brain???
So, you guys tied, and my tie-breakers didn't help. Since I had vowed to donate $100 for each overall #1 as well as the $300 for the winner, I'm going to deem you co-winners and send $300 to each of your charities. Just let me know where it should go and if there's any particular tribute you wish to make.
krista4
Footballguy
My own countdown is over, but I'd love to keep the conversation going with less of a "me" focus. Would like to hear other people's favorites, whether overall or as pertains to one Beatle (Morton, you owe us a bunch!). And also I'd love to hear any new favorites you discovered during the course of this countdown. Thanks to you all for being so kind and supportive through my silliness.
Morton Muffley
Footballguy
Below are my top 25 Paul songs, some of which I have posted already, but can't remember which so here is the entire list. Also, I recognize that I failed to correctly guess a single one of your #1s for ANY of the former Beatles...and yet somehow I still feel confident that I won that contest.
1--Maybe I'm Amazed--Chalk
2--Back Seat of My Car--Love the Brian Wilson influence on Back in the USSR, Love the Brian Wilson influence even more on this
3--Let Me Roll It--Love the ripped off guitar and everything else
4--Take It Away--Sublime
5- -Monkberry Moon Delight- - -Agree with everything OH said about this EXCEPT that crap about Tom Waits
6--Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five--Love the piano, the voice, the fun….love everything about this song
7- -My Brave Face- - -When this song was released I was a bigger Costello fan that a McCartney fan (see Paul's 1983-1988 discography to understand why). Anyway, this was two idols coming together to write a perfect song. I don't like the production on this album, but the production on this song doesn't bother me as much as it bothers Krista. I just think this is a great song, with clever Costello wordplay and great melody.
8--Every Night--Simplicity personified. The backstory helps elevate it (which is NOT a reason to like a song - am looking at you Tears in Heaven - but I do, sue me)
9--Too Many People--Sorry John, it's a great song
10--Little Willow--Beautiful and heartfelt
11--Wanderlust--Was originally in my top ten…probably still should be.
12--Sing the Changes--A little repetitive lyrically, but still freaking awesome
13--Jet--Stupid lyrics, but lots of fun
14--Band on the Run--Like it, just not a fan of the big 70s rock-opera stuff
15- -My Valentine- - -Sure the voice is weakened, but that doesn't bother me at all when the song and the band are so great. And what I especially love is that in the process of recording an album of American standard covers, he wrote the best song of the bunch. That's genius!
16--Silly Love Songs--That bass is killer
17--Appreciate--I admit that I may like this song because it just doesn't feel like anything else Paul has recorded. I like that
18--Junior's Farm--"Take me home Jimmy." Who puts the guitar solo at the front of the song?
19- -Beware My Love- - -I like to imagine that this version contains the Jon Bonham drumming from the demo
20--With a Little Luck--I admit that it is easy listening, but still contend that this is a great song
21--Coming Up (freak version)--Weird song
22--Dominoes--Hooky as hell. May not wear well over time, but am still enjoying it two years post release
23--Dear Boy--Not typically a fan of Paul's songs wherein he takes on an affect, but this one works for me
24--Anyway--This is the song I was referring to when I wrote that it could switch places with Let It Be (note: I think Let It Be is very good, not great…it's a bit repetitive)
25--222--I may like this song as much as I do because of the video. I have no ear for music and that video helps me immensely
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Life is very short, and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend
I have always thought that it's a crime
So, I will ask you once again
Try to see it my way
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we might fall apart before too long
We can work it out
We can work it out
Glad we agree finally!
