When you take a comprehensive look at the Beatles studio albums, things really begin to change with Rubber Soul.  While you could never guess upon first listen of Rubber Soul in 1965 that the Beatles were about to forego touring to fully explore their genius of making music in the studio, the album offers glimpses by providing some new experimenations.  For example, the sitar in “Norwegian Wood”.  Rubber Soul is often cited as one of the best albums of all time by anyone trying to put together such a list.  I admit to be a late adopter of Rubber Soul – at least measured to how much soaked up Revolver and Abbey Road over the years – the album is the first of the Beatles studio albums which I would consider as a desert island disc.

Favorite Song

While it’s hard not to cite “In My Life” (and lyrically, that is the best song), “Norwegian Wood” remains my favorite mainly because of the musical composition.  And in it’s remastered state, that sitar comes through clearer than ever before.

Song I forgot about

“You Won’t See Me”

A couple of my favorite Bealtes songs are present on Help!  Not suprisingly, Help! has always gotten plenty of play on my stereo if only so I can listen to “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” and “Ticket to Ride”.

I’ve sung karoke one time in my life.  It was a disaster.  I’ve sworn off ever taking the karoke mic ever again.  That is, until I find the karoke bar that has “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” on its playlist.  Then I’ll channel Lennon channeling Dylan, because quite honestly, you only need to be moderately liquored up to do so effectively.  And being moderately liquored up is pretty much a karoke requirement as well.

Favorite lyric

“Here I stand head in hand…”.  From “You’’ve Go to Hide Your Love Away”.  I remember thinking line before the birth of my youngest son.  Keturah had a cesarean delivery and I had to wait in the hall outside the operating room by myself before going in.  It was of the most nervous moment of my life.  I was worried, with head in hands and thought of that song.  I’d like to see Sam Beam of Iron and Wine sing this song.  I bet it would be killer.

Forgotten songs

“Another Girl” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face”.  Both are great songs.  Not listening to either enough.

Memories

I used to own a 45 of “Yesterday”.  The b side was “Act Naturally”.  I wonder if that’s stashed away in a box somewhere in my basement.

Take a good look at the album cover.  Not exactly the smiling foursome that the image of their earlier albums presented.  They’re growing into weathered musicians. 

Favorite Song

“I’ll Follow the Sun”.  Though the guitar intro to “Eight Days A Week” sounds really killer in its remastered state and my kids love to sing along to it, I always gravitate to “I’ll Follow the Sun” on this album.

Song you’ll increase the volume for if you are listening to it in the car

“Rock and Roll Music”.   Like “Twist and Shout”, it makes no sense to listen to this song at anything less than maximum volume.  The same can be said for “Eight Days a Week.” There’s no way to listen to some of these songs and not sing along. 

The Beatles starting getting down to business with this album.  It’s the first Beatles album to be composed entirely of their own songs.  Some additional layers are added to the band’s musical depth.  And as we all know, there was a long way to go.  Imagine listening these early Beatles album back in the early 60’s without the context at the masterpieces – Revolver, Sgt. Peppers, Abbey Road, etc – that were to come over the rest of the decade.  How easy would it be to dismiss The Beatles as top 40 blip on the radar. 

Best moment

The opening chords to the title track.  If there was ever a DJ style mix/mashup made entirely of Beatles tunes.  It would have to kick off with the opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night” and end (naturally) with the fade out from “A Day in the Life”.  That opening chord comes with a presence of announcement that to me (especially after the relative boredom of With the Beatles) indicates a beginning of future greatness. 

Song I had forgotten about

“Things We Said Today”.  Great tune.

Never sounded better

“I Should Have Known Better”.  The harmonica has never sounded as crystal clear as it does in these remasters. 

Note: This is part 2 in a series of series of posts I’m writing as I listen to the remastered Beatles discography.  See the entire series here. 

I’ve heard that With the Beatles was rushed out by The Beatles’ record company in order to take financial advantage of Beatlemania.  Perhaps that’s why I’ve never listened to it in its entirety before and why many of the songs are R&B covers. 

Highlight of the Album

“Please Mr. Postman”.  Didn’t the Supremes perform this song?  Song stood out for me thanks to Lennon’s lead vocals.

I had no idea

This album was released on the same day that President Kennedy was shot.