Mother Nature’s Son – Page of Pentacles (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (The White Album), 1968 “Mother Nature’s Son” perfectly captures the tranquility of communing with the wonders of nature. Take a deep breath and allow it to wash over you. Paul has said the song was influenced by an old favorite, “Nature Boy” by Nat King…
Baby’s In Black – Death (Lennon/McCartney) Beatles For Sale, 1964 On the heels of the cheerful A Hard Day’s Night album and movie, the Beatles made a conscious decision to write songs that were a little darker and more serious for their follow-up. The first song they recorded for their next album, Beatles For Sale,…
Flying – The Fool (Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Starr) Magical Mystery Tour, 1967 “Flying” is unique in the Beatles’ canon. It is the only instrumental the group ever released, and it’s one of just two Beatles compositions that gave all four members equal writing credit. The song is off the soundtrack to their psychedelic third film,…
Eight Days A Week – 2 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Beatles For Sale, 1964 …“Eight Days a Week” has the distinction as the first-ever pop song that begins with a fade-in. The song opens side 2 of their fourth album, Beatles For Sale, released in late 1964. The catchy tune was released as a single in…
Rocky Raccoon – 5 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (The White Album), 1968 Like most songs off the White Album, “Rocky Raccoon” was written in India, while the Beatles were learning Transcendental Meditation from the Maharishi. Paul claimed the song came to him quite quickly and easily while he got some lyrical ideas from John…
Matchbox – 5 of Pentacles (Perkins) Long Tall Sally EP, 1964 Available on Past Masters “Matchbox” is a swinging rockabilly tune, sung by Ringo. The Beatles had been performing the song since their early days; their original drummer Pete Best sang it when they still played small clubs. It’s a cover of a Carl Perkins…