Good Night – The Star (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 The Beatles’ self-titled album is by far their longest and most varied. Listening to it all the way through is like experiencing a journey through all manner of musical styles and dimensions of the psyche. And in the end, the White Album comes to…
I Feel Fine – 2 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Released as a single, 1964 Available on Past Masters “I Feel Fine” was one of the Beatles’ biggest singles, reaching #1 all over the world in late-1964. By the time of its recording, the Fab Four were looking for innovative ways to expand their sound. So they…
The Word – Ace of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) Rubber Soul, 1965 By late-1965, Beatle fans were more than accustomed to hearing their heroes sing songs about love. But this one was notably different. Compared to so many of their early songs about sweet and romantic love, this was the first time where love was sung about…
Roll Over Beethoven – Ace of Wands (Berry) With the Beatles, 1963 John Lennon once said, “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry.’” It’s not a stretch to say that the legendary Berry was the single most influential artist in rock’s early years, appearing on a…
Sexy Sadie – 7 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 John Lennon and his bandmates wrote dozens of songs while on spiritual retreat in India during early-1968. “Sexy Sadie” was the last. The song was written by John as he stewed in resentment toward the Maharishi while waiting to leave the compound. A…
I’ll Cry Instead – 5 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Day’s Night, 1964 How does it feel to have someone you love break up with you? You’re likely to feel some mixture of sadness and anger. That’s what we hear expressed in “I’ll Cry Instead”, a country-tinged John composition from the soundtrack to A Hard…
All You Need is Love – 10 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Magical Mystery Tour, 1967 During the Summer of Love, the Beatles had reached a whole new peak of fame and notoriety. Sure, they’d been world-famous pop stars for years. But in June 1967 they’d just released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They were now…
Do You Want to Know a Secret? – Page of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Please Please Me, 1963 “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” was written by John, shortly after getting married to Cynthia. He soon recognized the simple melody was well-suited for George’s vocal range. John said later that the idea for the song came…
Because – The Star (Lennon/McCartney) Abbey Road, 1969 Listening to “Because” feels like being transported to an otherworldly, mystical dimension. The sound of the song is simultaneously quiet and big. The minimal lyrics seem to say so much with so few words. It’s as if we’ve transported to the astral plane. We’re invited to join…
Mr. Moonlight – The Moon (Johnson) Beatles For Sale, 1964 “Mr. Moonlight” is a good example of how the Beatles set themselves apart from other rock and roll acts on the club circuit before they made it big, and before they became successful songwriters. While other acts sang what was popular, the Fab Four often…