Under appreciated songs by the Beatles. Part 1.
Posted December 30th, 2010 at 12:32 PM by PraiseGod_Barebones
Since this blogging function is here I may as well use this power for the good of humanity. What people may not know about me is that I am quite the fan of compiling lists, mostly in my head but I really like doing it. It soothes me and help me block out conversions I don't wish to be a part whilst doing things I don't really wish to do. So over the next few days I will use this new found blogging power to compile a list of what I consider to be under appreciated Beatles songs as I often read lists in magazines, newspaper and on the net of the greatest Beatles tracks but am often left feeling bored and a little disappointed by the selection. Not to say the choices are bad but it's the same selection of about 20 songs and tend to occupy every top 10 with about 5 of those being dead certs for the list (A Day in the Life, Stawberry Fields, Yesterday etc). So this list will take songs that I feel should known by more people for starters in many cases and given more credit by critics. So lets begin with
She's Leaving Home
Composer Ned Rorem said of this song that it was 'equal to any song that Schubert ever wrote' and that pretty much sums up what I think of it.
The origins of the song are that Paul saw a story in the newspaper about a girl who left home and had been found so they wrote that basically. What is truly amazing about this song as with much of Lennon and McCartney's song writing is that they manage to convey so beautifully emotions that at their age they had couldnt understand, having a child abandon you by their own free will. This is something they do in 'In My Life' with incredible skill hence why when an elderly Johnny Cash covered it, it sounded still so genuine.
Often overshadowed on Sgt Peppers by another great work of newspaper inspired story telling (A Day in the Life) I would argue that She's Leaving Home is a more accomplished piece of writing, especially as it didn't involve any instrumental section from the band itself and shows that in Lennon and McCartney's song writing is probably the best cultural source of the time for the study of Britain socially at the time.
She's Leaving Home
Composer Ned Rorem said of this song that it was 'equal to any song that Schubert ever wrote' and that pretty much sums up what I think of it.
The origins of the song are that Paul saw a story in the newspaper about a girl who left home and had been found so they wrote that basically. What is truly amazing about this song as with much of Lennon and McCartney's song writing is that they manage to convey so beautifully emotions that at their age they had couldnt understand, having a child abandon you by their own free will. This is something they do in 'In My Life' with incredible skill hence why when an elderly Johnny Cash covered it, it sounded still so genuine.
Often overshadowed on Sgt Peppers by another great work of newspaper inspired story telling (A Day in the Life) I would argue that She's Leaving Home is a more accomplished piece of writing, especially as it didn't involve any instrumental section from the band itself and shows that in Lennon and McCartney's song writing is probably the best cultural source of the time for the study of Britain socially at the time.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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I hope you don't mind me posting this. I'm just a huge Beatles fan, you know. Couldn't resist posting the songs that I feel are often over-looked.
My top ten, in no particular order, omitting the songs you've already mentioned:
If I fell
I've always felt that this song shows just how skilled Lennon was as a song writer, and from such a young age. The intro is beautiful and John's under-harmony is just as unusual as it is genius. You can really tell that these guys knew what they were doing. Those years and years of practise prior to their fame, covering classic Everly Brother songs and show tunes, ingrained into them the ability to knock out amazing and unusual harmonies just by instinct.
There's a Place
Great little tune that most people don't even know exists. Intelligent lyrics, interesting melody and again, an usually brilliant under-harmony from John. They were still using their Harmonica gimmick, which they were becoming known for at the time, and it worked. It really adds to the song. If that same harmonica melody were to be played by George on the guitar, it just wouldn't have had the same effect. So yeah, by no means a masterpiece, but it's still a gem, not to be overlooked.
I'm my Life
There's not much I can say about this song. Within the Beatles community it's common consensus that this song is one of their best; but outside of the Beatles community it's relatively unknown/overlooked. I'm not musically educated enough to be able to express why exactly the song is great. It's just one of those things you have to listen to. Brilliant lyrics from Lennon on this one, too.
I'm Looking Through You
This song has become more popular in recent years because of the publicity it received from its use in the 2007 film, P.S. I Love You. The song was written at about the time that The Beatles were starting to take the lyric writing aspect of their song writing more seriously, and I think it really shows in this song. Not only do I recommend the Rubber Soul version of this song, but I also recommend the more laid back demo version from The Beatles: Anthology II. From what I've gathered from reading comment sections and the like for the song, a lot of people much prefer the demo to the final product.
Here, There and Everywhere
Like In My life, there's not much I can say about this song; It's just a lovely song from McCartney. Nice chord changes and backing vocals from Lennon and Harrison. It really demonstrates just how perfectly their three voices complemented each other.
For No One
Nice and tasteful use of a harpsichord in this song -- gives it a very Bachesque sound, which I believe is the kind of thing McCartney was going for. I think this was about the stage that the band were starting incorporate different instruments into their songs. The lyrics, like I mentioned whilst discussing I'm Looking Through You, are more mature and developed than lyrics in the majority of their previous songs. For example: "Your Day Breaks; your mind aches," -- I've always found that to be a really brilliant little lyric. The best I would be able come up with would be something like: "Your day breaks; you eat cake." Writing lyrics is not my forte.
Oh! Darling
The song follows a pretty predictable pattern. Very simple '50s chord sequence -- especially with the added seventh going into the bridge -- but the simplicity and predictability work for it. If you think McCartney isn't a versatile singer, and that he can only sing songs like Till There was You, check out the mid-section/bridge, or whatever you want to call it, to this song. It's full of rip-roaring soul. ******* amazing.
The Fool on the Hill
It's not a masterpiece; it's just a nice little song that a lot of the less "hardcore" Beatles fans don't know about. I wouldn't want them to miss out, so I thought I would give it a mention.
Julia
John's song to his dead mother. Deep lyrics and a beautiful folk finger-picking style to complement them.
Two of Us
I wouldn't call it a classic; I just think it's a really nice song. Nothing I can really comment on.Posted January 2nd, 2011 at 05:14 PM by Coeur De Lion
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Good choices, particually Two of Us. I recently got the Let it Be...naked album and to be honest I prefare the original album version of two of us. It really is just a sweat song that makes you happy.Posted January 5th, 2011 at 04:19 PM by PraiseGod_Barebones
