In My Life – 6 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Rubber Soul, 1965 The Beatles took a giant creative leap forward with Rubber Soul. They’d shown steady growth since their very beginning, but here we witness their first album that could be described as serious, refined, and self-consciously artistic. John was beginning to turn inward, using introspection…
Within You Without You – The Hermit (Harrison) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967 Take a deep breath in and out. For maximum impact, allow the opening notes of this song to slowly wash over you. Sgt. Pepper has a reputation as the most cosmic and philosophical of Beatles albums, and George Harrison’s “Within…
I Want You (She’s So Heavy) – 10 of Wands (Lennon/McCartney) Abbey Road, 1969 The first side of Abbey Road ends with a sudden cut, from overwhelming noise to silence. At nearly eight minutes in length and only 13 words for lyrics, John’s “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” is one of the Beatles’ most…
I Am the Walrus – The Moon (Lennon/McCartney) Magical Mystery Tour, 1967 Magical Mystery Tour was the peak of the Beatles’ psychedelic period, and John’s song “I Am the Walrus” in particular is the culmination of this groundbreaking era. It’s a hallucinatory masterpiece. The esoteric lyrics are a cross between Lewis Carroll and Bob Dylan.…
BACK IN THE U.S.S.R. – 4 of Wands (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (The White Album), 1968 The White Album opens with sounds of an airplane engine followed by an uptempo drum and guitar beat. “Back in the U.S.S.R.” is a raucous pastiche of Chuck Berry and the Beach Boys. The song’s title is lifted directly from…
For No One – 3 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) Revolver, 1966 “For No One” is a beautiful breakup song, with Paul’s gift for melody and lyrics on full display. In 1966, the Beatles were exploring all sorts of musical themes and styles and could appear to do no wrong in the recording studio. For most bands…