Revolution 9 – The Tower (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 It is the strangest song the Beatles ever released. And it’s probably the weirdest recording that ever appeared on an album for a mainstream audience. Often ranking at the very bottom of fans’ favorite Beatles songs lists, “Revolution 9” is, in its own way,…
If I Fell – The Lovers (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Day’s Night, 1964 “If I Fell” is one of the Beatles’ all-time greatest ballads, featuring intricate harmonies and emotionally wrought lyrics. The song appears in the film A Hard Day’s Night and the band included it in their live act during their tours in 1964. John…
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds – The Star (Lennon/McCartney) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967 When 3-year-old Julian Lennon eagerly showed his father a picture he drew in preschool, John found it deeply beautiful and inspiring. He asked him what he called it, and Julian replied, “That’s Lucy in the sky with diamonds.”…
Things We Said Today –2 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Day’s Night, 1964 Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship? If so, do you remember how you felt during the agonizing days when you were together but about to be separated once again? Did you worry that the distance would tear the two of…
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill – Knight of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” is a silly sing-along appearing on Side 1 of the White Album. The song was written by John while the four Beatles were on retreat in Rishikesh, India, with the Maharishi. Among the…
Tell Me What You See – 2 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) Help!, 1965 “Tell Me What You See” was recorded for the movie Help!, but the song was rejected by the film’s director Richard Lester for not being strong enough. The Beatles still decided to include it on the film’s soundtrack. Years later, Paul admitted it…
Blue Jay Way – 7 of Cups (Harrison) Magical Mystery Tour, 1967 Depending on personal taste, “Blue Jay Way” could be described as a psychedelic masterpiece or one of the most dreary songs in the Beatles’ catalogue. The song was George Harrison’s contribution to the Magical Mystery Tour movie and album, released at the end…
What Goes On – 5 of Cups Lennon/McCartney/Starkey Rubber Soul, 1965 As the Beatles neared the end of recording their sixth album, Rubber Soul, they needed a vocal contribution from Ringo. So they pulled out “What Goes On”, a song written by John many years earlier, when the band were still called The Quarrymen. John…
Every Little Thing – The Lovers (Lennon/McCartney) Beatles for Sale, 1964 Paul initially had high hopes for his new composition “Every Little Thing”, thinking it might be the Beatles’ follow up single to the smash hit “A Hard Day’s Night”. But after playing it for manager Brian Epstein he had to admit it “didn’t have…
Martha My Dear – Page of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 Paul McCartney had no intention of writing a song about his three-year-old sheepdog when he sat down to write “Martha My Dear”. But it just happened that way. As he described it later, the song was intended as a creative exercise, testing…