In this thread I rank my favorite Beatles songs: 204-1.

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

10 minutes ago, Uruk-Hai said:

Amen.

Sorry for my part in downing the thread. 

same here - not intended.  

[Mister CIA 8,618]

10 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Mostly I'm just tired; I'll get over it.

Imagine you are 64!

ETA: Martha4

Edited February 9, 2019 by Mister CIA

[krista4 25,847]

Stop it!  No more apologies, please!  (Unless you want to apologize for apologizing, but then we're going to spiral out of control.) 

Also, Binky, I specifically excluded you because it's your schtick now, and it's funny.

Edited February 9, 2019 by krista4

[Getzlaf15 11,164]

Is there a story as to why Paul and George frequently shared a mic and John got his own?   Why not just three mic's?

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

17 minutes ago, Getzlaf15 said:

at thread title 

my number.

[krista4 25,847]

1 minute ago, Getzlaf15 said:

Is there a story as to why Paul and George frequently shared a mic and John got his own?   Why not just three mic's?

I’ve wondered this, too.

[Leroy Hoard 14,063]

23 minutes ago, Uruk-Hai said:

Best haircut on a Beatles cover?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fe/MeetTheResidents1.jpg

[Nigel Tufnel 1,835]

6 minutes ago, Getzlaf15 said:

Is there a story as to why Paul and George frequently shared a mic and John got his own?   Why not just three mic's?

Money was tight. 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender 2,669]

5 minutes ago, Getzlaf15 said:

Is there a story as to why Paul and George frequently shared a mic and John got his own?   Why not just three mic's?

Sharing with Paul vs John would be because Paul was left handed so it was easier for both to lean in without adjusting their guitar necks.

As far as why no 4th mic (Ringo also had one)?    maybe a combination of money (especially early on), aesthetics (Paul and John on the flanks opposite handed meant George could roam the middle of the stage), and maybe even timing of harmonies with screaming fans

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

11 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Stop it!  No more apologies, please!  (Unless you want to apologize for apologizing, but then we're going to spiral out of control.) 

Also, Binky, I specifically excluded you because it's your schtick now, and it's funny.

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

29 minutes ago, Uruk-Hai said:

Best haircut on a Beatles cover?

I'm going Paul on "Let It Be"  Ringo on Abbey Road was lookin' pretty good as well. 

[Leroy Hoard 14,063]

The lefty/rightly thing mentioned above + seniority makes sense.

[wikkidpissah 19,230]

58 minutes ago, krista4 said:

73.  Girl (Rubber Soul, 1965)

Beatles version:  Spotify  YouTube

It's a rare John song that John actually liked!  This goes higher or lower on my list daily based on how irritating I find the spliff-sucking sounds that particular day, but I always find them at least mildly irritating.  I've read that maybe they were supposed to be intakes of breath from love or lust for this "girl," but it doesn't make it any less irritating.  Aside from that, I love the song, and it's a favorite of my cat, The Squirrel (featured in a photo earlier in this thread), since I sing it to him substituting "Squirr-r-r-rel" for "gir-r-r-rl."  Perhaps I shouldn't have admitted that.

 

These days i take that sound for a Hannibal Lecter ssssip , which, if i were a woman, would take it way past irritating. Nevertheless, I never listen to it without a nice chianti....

[Dinsy Ejotuz 13,329]

15 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Stop it!  No more apologies, please!

Damn straight.  You deserve everything you get, and then some.  #86, my ###.

No, seriously.  This whole thing is ruined now.  You should probably stop.

I didn't mean it.  It's not you, it's me.  I can do better.  I'll change.

OH GOD I'M SO SORRY PLEASE DON'T STOP

[krista4 25,847]

72.  You Can't Do That (A Hard Day's Night, 1964)

Beatles version:  Spotify  YouTube

It's another "boy, John sure seems angry and jealous" song, though I don't put it in the same category as "Run For Your Life" because it's not directly threatening physical harm.  Well it doesn't, that is, as long as you decide as I have to hear "let you down and leave you flat" to mean "break up with you and leave you bummed" and not something more sinister.  John described his inspiration for this song:  "That's me doing Wilson Pickett. You know, a cowbell going four in the bar, and the chord going chatoong!"   And since Wilson Pickett didn't have a violent nature, I assume John didn't intend any violence in the song.  Wait, what's that?  [Checking Pickett's bio.]  Oh, nevermind.

Reminder of items I've listed so far that give a song an advantage in the rankings:  (1) cowbell, (2) cello, (3) I can sing harmony, and (4) more cowbell.  Why, what have we here??  1, 3, and 4!  There, I shouted some numbers, too!  While I do love the cowbell in the song, I'm more fond of John's aggressive vocal and his guitar on the intro and on the messy, rockin' solo, as well as George's 12-string work - his first major use of the 12-string on a song - and that little drum fill Ringo does each time between "I told you before" and "ooohhh."  Not a big fan of how the ending just peters out; it's too great a rock song for that.

Mr. krista:  "I like that song a lot.  The harmonies are fun.  They really liked the blues.  They’re so British, though, they can straight up rip people off.  A lot of blues tropes, but it still sounded distinctive and unique."

Suggested covers:  Wait for the scream and the guitar solo:  Diana Ross & the Supremes  Kind of a cover:  Harry Nilsson

[krista4 25,847]

33 minutes ago, Binky The Doormat said:

I'm going Paul on "Let It Be"  Ringo on Abbey Road was lookin' pretty good as well. 

[krista4 25,847]

20 minutes ago, Dinsy Ejotuz said:

Damn straight.  You deserve everything you get, and then some.  #86, my ###.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

No, seriously.  This whole thing is ruined now.  You should probably stop.

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

I didn't mean it.  It's not you, it's me.  I can do better.  I'll change.

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

OH GOD I'M SO SORRY PLEASE DON'T STOP

 

   That's the spirit!

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

6 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Let It Be - Paul voted best hair of Beatles album covers

Abby Road - not a great perspective, but Ringo takes runner-up on album cover hair

[krista4 25,847]

9 minutes ago, Binky The Doormat said:

Let It Be - Paul voted best hair of Beatles album covers

Abby Road - not a great perspective, but Ringo takes runner-up on album cover hair

Paul's Let It Be hair reminds me too much of this.  

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

2 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Paul's Let It Be hair reminds me too much of this.  

I was thinking more Cissy on Family Affair.

[wikkidpissah 19,230]

4 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Paul's Let It Be hair reminds me too much of this.  

Not many know this but Markie Post & Pete Best had the same stylist for many years

[krista4 25,847]

56 minutes ago, wikkidpissah said:

These days i take that sound for a Hannibal Lecter ssssip , which, if i were a woman, would take it way past irritating. Nevertheless, I never listen to it without a nice chianti....

It might be a lascivious ssssip, which would be an 8.5 on the irritation scale, or simply an admiring one, which would be a 4.

[wikkidpissah 19,230]

3 minutes ago, krista4 said:

It might be a lascivious ssssip, which would be an 8.5 on the irritation scale, or simply an admiring one, which would be a 4.

Why can't it be a maniacal sip of cannibalistic anticipation?! You ruin everything........

Edited February 10, 2019 by wikkidpissah

[timschochet 35,037]

You’re starting to mention some pretty classic songs here, but it seems to me that with 71 songs left you’re already at the point where the lesser known song will be the odd man out. From here on in every song you rank had better be sublime. 

And I think that “Eight Days A Week”and “You Can’t Do That” fall into that category. The first of these falls into what I regard as the “Beatlemania” group- the Billboard  #1 songs that dominated the charts in 63-64. I’m thinking of 5 songs in particular (6 if you count “Please Please Me”) of which you’ve already mentioned 2: “Eight Days A Week” and “Love Me Do”. The other 3 are among the best popular songs ever produced so hopefully they’re much higher on your list. 

“You Can’t Do That” is from what I would call the early to mid  Middle Beatles era (consisting of the albums A Hard Days Night, Help!, and Rubber Soul along with any singles released at that time) and I would argue, contrary to many critics who love late Beatles more, that this is their very best period of music. “You Can’t Do That” is on the lower end of the amazing songs from this era, but still representative, still incredibly excellent. 

 

[timschochet 35,037]

Anyhow you’re getting better, Krista. For all your earlier mistakes it’s starting to be a pretty good list. 

[krista4 25,847]

7 minutes ago, timschochet said:

You’re starting to mention some pretty classic songs here, but it seems to me that with 71 songs left you’re already at the point where the lesser known song will be the odd man out. From here on in every song you rank had better be sublime. 

And I think that “Eight Days A Week”and “You Can’t Do That” fall into that category. The first of these falls into what I regard as the “Beatlemania” group- the Billboard  #1 songs that dominated the charts in 63-64. I’m thinking of 5 songs in particular (6 if you count “Please Please Me”) of which you’ve already mentioned 2: “Eight Days A Week” and “Love Me Do”. The other 3 are among the best popular songs ever produced so hopefully they’re much higher on your list. 

“You Can’t Do That” is from what I would call the early to mid  Middle Beatles era (consisting of the albums A Hard Days Night, Help!, and Rubber Soul along with any singles released at that time) and I would argue, contrary to many critics who love late Beatles more, that this is their very best period of music. “You Can’t Do That” is on the lower end of the amazing songs from this era, but still representative, still incredibly excellent. 

 

I hit "From Me to You" already, too, which should be in your first group.

It's become clear in these rankings (or should be by now) that I'm a middle Beatles gal:  Help!, Rubber Soul, and Revolver, with the ones just before and after those (Sgt. Pepper's and A Hard Day's Night) coming in next.

[krista4 25,847]

9 minutes ago, wikkidpissah said:

Why can't it be a a homicidal sip of cannibalistic anticipation?! You ruin everything........

  It can be.  That's a 2 on the irritation scale (but quite high on the terror scale).

7 minutes ago, timschochet said:

Anyhow you’re getting better, Krista. For all your earlier mistakes it’s starting to be a pretty good list. 

Tied with Binky for best schtick.   

Is there a "c" after the "s" in shtick?  I don't think I've been typing this consistently.

[timschochet 35,037]

4 minutes ago, krista4 said:

I hit "From Me to You" already, too, which should be in your first group.

It's become clear in these rankings (or should be by now) that I'm a middle Beatles gal:  Help!, Rubber Soul, and Revolver, with the ones just before and after those (Sgt. Pepper's and A Hard Day's Night) coming in next.

I don’t think “From Me to You” was a #1, was it? Maybe it was... 

[krista4 25,847]

6 minutes ago, timschochet said:

I don’t think “From Me to You†was a #1, was it? Maybe it was... 

1.  I don't speak Russian.

2.  DOES NO ONE READ MY WRITE-UPS?

[Getzlaf15 11,164]

1 minute ago, krista4 said:

1.  I don't speak Russian.

2.  DOES NO ONE READ MY WRITE-UPS?

We all do, but Tim comes in once a week, reads three posts and starts with the Russian.  

[wikkidpissah 19,230]

5 minutes ago, krista4 said:

  It can be.  That's a 2 on the irritation scale (but quite high on the terror scale).

Thank you for being so open-minded. Should we ever dine together, i won't order soup so as not to trigger you.

[timschochet 35,037]

5 minutes ago, krista4 said:

 

2.  DOES NO ONE READ MY WRITE-UPS?

Nyet

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

3 minutes ago, Getzlaf15 said:

We all do, but Tim comes in once a week, reads three posts and starts with the Russian.  

AFTER, a lecturing post about what the "correct" interpretation/analysis should look like. 

We used to call that a "drive by".   

Edited February 10, 2019 by Binky The Doormat

[sports_fan 2,700]

17

[Gr00vus 12,000]

22 hours ago, Getzlaf15 said:

He basically stated something to that effect. I have no problem with the 22.

O.k., don't want to make this effort more of a chore for you than it needs to be:

23: Eleanor Rigby

24: Paperback Writer

25: Octopus's Garden

 

[krista4 25,847]

Speaking of Russian:

71.  Back in the U.S.S.R. (White Album, 1968)

Beatles version:  Spotify  YouTube

Written by Paul as a parody of Chuck Berry's "Back in the U.S.A."  My favorite part of this song is the whooshing jet sounds and tire screeches.  When your favorite part of a song is jet sounds, maybe you'd think it would be ranked lower, but no, this is a great thundering rocker that gets me dancing.  It's silly and tongue-in-cheek and a rocking blast.  George is an absolute standout on lead guitar here.  Like every sentient human, I also like the little Beach Boys tribute in the middle, which was suggested by Mike Love himself while they were all hanging at the Maharishi's joint.  And not to get too political but any song that pisses off the apparently-unaware-of-parody John Birch Society is A-OK in my book.

The song is notable for the absence of Ringo, with Paul filling in on most of the drum parts.  It could have used some Ringo, as I find the drums slight behind-the-beat and muddy, but this is one of two songs (the other being "Dear Prudence") recorded while Ringo had temporarily quit the band.  Some have blamed Ringo's departure on Paul's constantly complaining about how he played the toms, but Ringo tells it more diplomatically:  "I left because I felt two things: I felt I wasn't playing great, and I also felt that the other three were really happy and I was an outsider. I went to see John...I said, 'I'm, leaving the group because I'm not playing well and I feel unloved and out of it, and you three are really close.'  And John said, 'I thought it was you three!'  So then I went over to Paul's and knocked on his door. I said the same thing: 'I'm leaving the band. I feel you three guys are really close and I'm out of it.' And Paul said, 'I thought it was you three!'  I didn't even bother going to George then. I said, 'I'm going on holiday.' I took the kids and we went to Sardinia."

WHOOOOSH!  SCREECH!

Mr. krista:  ""It’s like California Girls but about the Soviet Union.  I think it's funny.  Obviously tongue-in-cheek.  Tight little rocker.  I like the jet sounds and the Beach Boy ooo-eeee-ooos".

Suggested covers:  Not great sound quality but gotta show how much better this is with a drummer:  Beach Boys & Ringo.  Special delivery for @Yankee23Fan:  Billy Joel.  Personal favorite:  Dead Kennedys

Edited April 25, 2019 by krista4

[Yankee23Fan 9,401]

3 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Speaking of Russian:

71.  Back in the U.S.S.R. (White Album, 1968)

Beatles version:  Spotify  YouTube

Written by Paul as a parody of Chuck Berry's "Back in the U.S.A."  My favorite part of this song is the whooshing jet sounds and tire screeches.  When your favorite part of a song is jet sounds, maybe you'd think it would be ranked lower, but no, this is a great thundering rocker that gets me dancing.  It's silly and tongue-in-cheek and a rocking blast.  George is an absolute standout on lead guitar here.  Like every sentient human, I also like the little Beach Boys tribute in the middle, which was suggested by Mike Love himself while they were all hanging at the Maharishi's joint.  And not to get too political but any song that pisses off the apparently-unaware-of-parody John Birch Society is A-OK in my book.

The song is notable for the absence of Ringo, with Paul filling in on most of the drum parts.  It could have used some Ringo, as I find the drums slight behind-the-beat and muddy, but this is one of two songs (the other being "Dear Prudence") recorded while Ringo had temporarily quit the band.  Some have blamed Ringo's departure on Paul's constantly complaining about how he played the toms, but Ringo tells it more diplomatically:  "I left because I felt two things: I felt I wasn't playing great, and I also felt that the other three were really happy and I was an outsider. I went to see John...I said, 'I'm, leaving the group because I'm not playing well and I feel unloved and out of it, and you three are really close.'  And John said, 'I thought it was you three!'  So then I went over to Paul's and knocked on his door. I said the same thing: 'I'm leaving the band. I feel you three guys are really close and I'm out of it.' And Paul said, 'I thought it was you three!'  I didn't even bother going to George then. I said, 'I'm going on holiday.' I took the kids and we went to Sardinia."

By the way, why is Paul always singing about "JoJo"?

WHOOOOSH!  SCREECH!

Mr. krista:  ""It’s like California Girls but about the Soviet Union.  I think it's funny.  Obviously tongue-in-cheek.  Tight little rocker.  I like the jet sounds and the Beach Boy ooo-eeee-ooos".

Suggested covers:  Not great sound quality but gotta show how much better this is with a drummer:  Beach Boys & Ringo.  Special delivery for @Yankee23Fan:  Billy Joel.  Personal favorite:  Dead Kennedys

Yeah, Billy's cover was solid. 

[krista4 25,847]

15 minutes ago, Yankee23Fan said:

Yeah, Billy's cover was solid. 

I've always thought this song needed better drumming to make it really rock to its full potential, but listening to those covers drove it home for me.  The drumming wasn't bad, but the song deserved better.  This isn't because of my Ringo love; I don't feel the same way about "Dear Prudence."

[krista4 25,847]

We're getting very close to the first song in the rankings that someone guessed as my #1.  One of these:

1. simey – Abbey Road medley
2. Mister CIA – She Said She Said
3. timschochet – Paperback Writer
4. pecorino – Hey Jude
5. Binky the Doormat – In My Life
6. wikkidpissah – Taxman
7. Dr. Octopus – Got To Get You Into My Life
8. Nigel Tufnel – You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away
9. Uruk-Hai – Ticket to Ride
10. Dinsy Ejotuz – Let It Be
11. Tom Hagen – Eleanor Rigby
12. Spock – Rain
13. Leroy Hoard – A Day in the Life
14. rockaction  - I Want to Hold Your Hand
15. Ted Lange as Your Bartender – In My Life
16. shuke – Abbey Road medley
17. Alex P Keaton – Something
18. Getzlaf15 – With A Little Help From My Friends
19. zamboni – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
20. neal cassady – I Am the Walrus
21. Shaft41 – Hey Bulldog
22. Ilov80s – Norwegian Wood
23. Officer Pete Malloy – I Want to Hold Your Hand
24. Godsbrother – Dear Prudence
25. ManofSteelhead – Eleanor Rigby
26. mike9289 – I’m Looking Through You
27. heckmanm: Eleanor Rigby
28. Atomic Punk – A Day in the Life
29. [Mrs. Punk – In My Life]
30. bananafish – Abbey Road medley
31. bonzai – Abbey Road medley
32. fatguy – Here Comes the Sun
33. ScottNorwood- Yesterday

[krista4 25,847]

I'm kind of missing the called out numbers already.  What can I say, sometimes I'm a woman.    Sorry for being a downer earlier.  I think it was because I had just put so much time into my "Girl" write-up - probably too much.

@Getzlaf15, how many do I have left that aren't on anyone's list?  There are three that I think are possibilities, but I think it's two or fewer now.

[krista4 25,847]

Also I just poured my first glass of wine, so my write-ups should get better.

[SaintsInDome2006 47,491]

About USSR, my favorite part of this song is: 

>>Let me hear you balalaikas ringing out 
Come and keep your comrade warm 
I'm back in the USSR<<

- I think this is one of the greatest modulating bridges in rock history. It’s like a home run writing wise, and I say that because writing is heard. It’s rhythm. This is a beauty. I’ve heard McCartney in concert I think 4 (?) times and the sunnuvagun still hits it out the park. Better that 71 IMO.

[SaintsInDome2006 47,491]

I think I know no. 1. Like a good mystery novel I’m just gonna read. 

[krista4 25,847]

7 minutes ago, SaintsInDome2006 said:

About USSR, my favorite part of this song is: 

>>Let me hear you balalaikas ringing out 
Come and keep your comrade warm 
I'm back in the USSR<<

- I think this is one of the greatest modulating bridges in rock history. It’s like a home run writing wise, and I say that because writing is heard. It’s rhythm. This is a beauty. I’ve heard McCartney in concert I think 4 (?) times and the sunnuvagun still hits it out the park. Better that 71 IMO.

I've heard him do it in concert.  He had a drummer.  That was a good thing.

Love your thoughts on this one  - great points.   

6 minutes ago, SaintsInDome2006 said:

I think I know no. 1. Like a good mystery novel I’m just gonna read. 

Post it!

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

32 minutes ago, Yankee23Fan said:

Yeah, Billy's cover was solid. 

you misspelled Dead Kennedys.  

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

38 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Speaking of Russian:

71.  Back in the U.S.S.R. (White Album, 1968)

Beatles version:  Spotify  YouTube

Written by Paul as a parody of Chuck Berry's "Back in the U.S.A."  My favorite part of this song is the whooshing jet sounds and tire screeches.  When your favorite part of a song is jet sounds, maybe you'd think it would be ranked lower, but no, this is a great thundering rocker that gets me dancing.  It's silly and tongue-in-cheek and a rocking blast.  George is an absolute standout on lead guitar here.  Like every sentient human, I also like the little Beach Boys tribute in the middle, which was suggested by Mike Love himself while they were all hanging at the Maharishi's joint.  And not to get too political but any song that pisses off the apparently-unaware-of-parody John Birch Society is A-OK in my book.

The song is notable for the absence of Ringo, with Paul filling in on most of the drum parts.  It could have used some Ringo, as I find the drums slight behind-the-beat and muddy, but this is one of two songs (the other being "Dear Prudence") recorded while Ringo had temporarily quit the band.  Some have blamed Ringo's departure on Paul's constantly complaining about how he played the toms, but Ringo tells it more diplomatically:  "I left because I felt two things: I felt I wasn't playing great, and I also felt that the other three were really happy and I was an outsider. I went to see John...I said, 'I'm, leaving the group because I'm not playing well and I feel unloved and out of it, and you three are really close.'  And John said, 'I thought it was you three!'  So then I went over to Paul's and knocked on his door. I said the same thing: 'I'm leaving the band. I feel you three guys are really close and I'm out of it.' And Paul said, 'I thought it was you three!'  I didn't even bother going to George then. I said, 'I'm going on holiday.' I took the kids and we went to Sardinia."

By the way, why is Paul always singing about "JoJo"?

WHOOOOSH!  SCREECH!

Mr. krista:  ""It’s like California Girls but about the Soviet Union.  I think it's funny.  Obviously tongue-in-cheek.  Tight little rocker.  I like the jet sounds and the Beach Boy ooo-eeee-ooos".

Suggested covers:  Not great sound quality but gotta show how much better this is with a drummer:  Beach Boys & Ringo.  Special delivery for @Yankee23Fan:  Billy Joel.  Personal favorite:  Dead Kennedys

I'm good. No, I'm good. 

[Binky The Doormat 12,945]

20 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Also I just poured my first glass of wine, so my write-ups should get better.

great call on the Dead Kennedys cover.  

[OrtonToOlsen 17,820]

44 minutes ago, krista4 said:

Speaking of Russian:

71.  Back in the U.S.S.R. (White Album, 1968)

Beatles version:  Spotify  YouTube

 

71? 71!

What did I ever do to you?

[Rustoleum 1,478]

2 hours ago, Ted Lange as your Bartender said:

Sharing with Paul vs John would be because Paul was left handed so it was easier for both to lean in without adjusting their guitar necks.

As far as why no 4th mic (Ringo also had one)?    maybe a combination of money (especially early on), aesthetics (Paul and John on the flanks opposite handed meant George could roam the middle of the stage), and maybe even timing of harmonies with screaming fans

This sounds entirely plausible. I was going to go with the simpler theory of “John was kind of a ####.” 

[The Future Champs 2,638]

I never really like “Back in the USSR”, primarily b/c it included the rip-off verses that seemed to mock The Beach Boys, which was definitely uncalled for.   Turns out that Mike Love participated in the genesis of the song, which changes my feelings considerably.