Only a Northern Song – Knight of Pentacles (Harrison) Yellow Submarine, 1969 This George composition is one of the strangest, ugliest, and most hilarious songs the Beatles ever made. It was originally intended to be George’s contribution to Sgt Pepper, but wasn’t included because producer George Martin didn’t feel it was a good fit. Nearly…
Dizzy Miss Lizzy– Knight of Wands (Williams) Help!, 1965 The album Help! was unofficially the last of the Beatles’ early period. (Things would change quite dramatically with the release of the follow up, Rubber Soul.) And as they had done with their very first album, the Beatles chose to close Help! with an energetic cover…
Birthday – 4 of Wands (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (The White Album), 1968 The second record of the White Album opens with one of the most recognizable and catchy riffs in rock music. This song is fun to sing along or dance to, perfectly befitting a birthday celebration. “Birthday” was primarily composed by Paul, whose girlfriend…
Tell Me Why – 5 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Day’s Night, 1964 The Beatles’ third album was the soundtrack to their first movie, A Hard Day’s Night. The film was a celebration of all things Beatlemania and served as a showcase of the Beatles’ remarkable wit and charm. It was the only album comprised…
Wednesday is one of those days of the week that doesn’t have much of a “feel” to it. Fridays surely do, and Sundays do too, and of course Monday has a feel. But Wednesdays are one day that doesn’t elicit strong feelings one way or the other, at least it never did for me. Until…
She Loves You – 3 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Released as a single, 1963 Available on Past Masters “She Loves You” perfectly encapsulates the infectious spirit of the Beatles’ early music. It is absolutely essential and one of their greatest songs. “She Loves You” was a true collaboration of John and Paul, which they wrote nearly…
Sun King – King of Wands (Lennon/McCartney) Abbey Road, 1969 This is the second song of the infamous Side 2 Abbey Road medley. It’s easy to imagine listening to this tune while peacefully meditating under the sun on a beautiful day. Its soothing instrumentation and harmonies put you into a relaxed state of mind, as…
Donald Trump: hero or villain; skilled negotiator or fraud; destroyer of America or defender of the common man. Whatever your personal politics or opinions of the man, the Age of Trump marks a turning point in history. With fiercely strong opinions on both sides, it can seem impossible to see Trump and this time in…
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…