Album: Magical Mystery Tour Writer: Lennon Singer: Lennon
Verdict: An intentional nonsense song John wrote just to confuse the analytically obsessed. The lyrics themselves are not that attractive; it’s definitely not a song I ever just sing to myself. But dang it John’s voice is spectacular as are the backing musicians, especially the strings. I also love all the crescendoing, as if the song means something more than it does.
Album: The Beatles Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: A passive-aggressive song here by Paul that sounds lighter than it really is. Not his best work, but the orchestra background kicks some ass. So, go George Martin!
Album: The Beatles Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: I think I overrated this a bit; satirical songs usually wear thin after a while. Especially since Paul is trying his hardest not to use his best singing voice. I think I just like how most of the song is just one long breath. I also had a girl go on a date with me once after I told her I liked this song. Then again, it wasn’t the best date.
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.
Album: Past Masters, Volume II Writer: Lennon Singer: Lennon
Verdict: I don’t really care about John’s struggles with the media following his marriage to Yoko. But John drops some pretty awesome rhymes here. “Holland or France” with “Give us a chance,” and “Honeymooning down by the Seine,” with “You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain.” Plus it’s always fun to belt out, “Christ you know it ain’t easy!”
Verdict: A rare song for Paul where he sings in a lower key. A fairly simple “Ugh, my girlfriend sucks,” song, but I love the vocalizations, especially John’s harmony. My favorite line is “Time after time you refuse to even listen,” but that’s not surprising for me. I tend to enjoy when a singer stays on each note slightly longer than the rhythm would suggest.
Album: Beatles For Sale Writer: Lennon/McCartney Singer: Lennon
Verdict: Now that I’m to this point in the countdown I think I rated this too high. One of my favorite of the “yeah yeah” hits, but the band didn’t care for the song and never performed it live. I just love John and Paul’s harmony with the “hold me, love me” lines.
Album: The Beatles Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: A nice rocker to begin the white album and I love that Paul wrote this during the height of the fear of communism. I mean, how dare he even consider that Soviets might be human beings. While it’s a parody of “California Girls”, it rises above that.
Album: Abbey Road Writer: Harrison Singer: Harrison
Verdict: A solid offering by George; he wrote it after escaping to Eric Clapton’s home to avoid dealing with the band. I enjoy the melody quite a bit and it’s a good spring song. The repetitiveness of the title gets to be a little much, though.
Album: Beatles for Sale Writer: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller (and Little Richard?) Singer: McCartney
Verdict: An amalgamation of two songs, sort of. This is mostly a cover of Little Richard’s version of Kansas City, as he added the whole hey-hey-hey bit. Paul knocks it out of the park. Pretty sure this is the last cover song on the list.
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