Beatles Song Countdown: 40-36

40: Mother Nature’s Son

Album: The Beatles
Writer: McCartney
Singer: McCartney

Verdict: A virtual solo by Paul. He sang while playing acoustic and dubbed in the percussion. Mostly lyrically absent, but nobody can do “doo doo wahs” quite like Paul. Definitely a song the guitar guy at the party could do to try to get attention. 

39: Julia

Album: The Beatles
Writer: Lennon
Singer: Lennon

Verdict: And now a solo by John about his late mother who was killed by a drunk driver. Similar to Mother Nature’s Son compositionally. This one has a bit more weight to it, naturally.

38: Drive My Car

Album: Rubber Soul
Writer: Lennon/McCartney
Singer: Lennon/McCartney

Verdict: If Rubber Soul marked a turning point for the band, Drive My Car is the song that spearheads that movement. At least that’s what Douglas Adams said. I really didn’t like this when I first heard it, but over the years I’ve grown to enjoy minimalist songs that utilize fewer note changes. Beep beep yeah!

37: I’ll Follow the Sun

Album: Beatles for Sale
Writer: McCartney
Singer: McCartney

Verdict: Can you tell I like simple ballads? The best song on Beatles for Sale.

36: And Your Bird Can Sing

Album: Revolver
Writer: Lennon
Singer: Lennon

Verdict: Love the dual-guitar melody by George and Paul, and I love it when John breaks out the high notes. Whenever the three of them join together on the same noteand you here I get chills.

2 thoughts on “Beatles Song Countdown: 40-36”

  1. “Drive My Car” is a tad banal for me but I love “And Your Bird Can Sing.” Now to listen to the other three, which I’ll probably end up recognizing.

  2. I think I’ve heard “Mother Nature’s Son” before but never really heard it until now. I LOVE the melancholy progression of the second line of each verse. This is an instant favorite.

    Despite the extra emotional weight in “Julia,” I’m not feeling it as strongly.

    “I’ll Follow the Sun” is another pretty harmless trifle; I’m never surprised to see that a Beatles song has been covered, but people have covered the shit out of this one, and I guess it strikes me as more of a boring deep cut that wouldn’t get that treatment. On the other hand, it’s probably super easy to play.

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