All Together Now – 3 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Yellow Submarine, 1969 The Beatles’ animated movie classic Yellow Submarine comes to a cheerful conclusion when the real-life Fab Four make an appearance to perform “All Together Now”. Composed mainly by Paul, it’s a jubilant singalong that’s likely to be stuck in your head for days afterward.…
Hello, Goodbye – The Sun (Lennon/McCartney) Magical Mystery Tour, 1967 “Hello, Goodbye” was one of the Beatles’ most successful singles, topping the charts all over the world. In the UK, it spent seven consecutive weeks at number one, a feat the band hadn’t attained since “She Loves You” four years before. Despite – or maybe…
There’s a Place – 3 of Swords (McCartney/Lennon) Please Please Me, 1963 The first verse of the penultimate track off Please Please Me comes with a twist. The singer begins by informing us that there’s a place he can go when he’s feeling down. Considering that most pop songs at the time were about matters…
Dig It – The Fool (Lennon/McCartney/Starkey/Harrison) Let It Be, 1970 “Dig It” is a curio in the Beatles canon, for sure. When producer Phil Spector was brought in to make an album worthy of release from the Beatles’ defunct Get Back project, he discovered 150 hours of recordings. These tapes were largely comprised of loose…
We Can Work It Out – 2 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) Originally released as a single, 1965 Available on Past Masters In late-1965 there was disagreement over which of two new Beatles songs should become the A-side of their next single, and which should be relegated to the B-side. John argued in favor of his song,…
I’m Only Sleeping – 4 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Revolver, 1966 John Lennon was the vibrant, passionate, and prodigious leader of the greatest rock band that ever existed. He was the band’s elemental fire and had an exceptionally creative, intelligent mind. He also happened to be extraordinarily lazy at times. In spring of 1966, around the…
I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party – 5 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Beatles for Sale, 1964 “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” is yet another downbeat song off the Beatles’ fourth album, Beatles for Sale. It’s a country and western song, written primarily by John with help from Paul, that is nicely enhanced by…
The Long and Winding Road – Temperance (Lennon/McCartney) Let It Be, 1970 This heartbreaking ballad, written and sung by Paul McCartney, became the Beatles final number 1 hit single. Although it was recorded as a simple, piano-based song, producer Phil Spector later added a lavish orchestral and choral arrangement without consent from Paul. Upon hearing…
You Can’t Do That – 5 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Day’s Night, 1964 John Lennon was the most macho of the four Beatles. He was the band’s element of Fire, the most masculine in all its best and – at times – worst ways. As part of this character trait, he sometimes displayed a…
When I’m Sixty-Four – 10 of Pentacles (Lennon/McCartney) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967 “When I’m Sixty-Four” was the first song the Beatles recorded for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was also the first to be written for the album – by far. Paul composed the song on his family’s upright piano…