Another beneficiary of a prime spot in the Abbey Road medley, “Mean Mr. Mustard” is a lumbering and nonsensical but undeniably catchy ditty clocking in at just over a minute. Written in Rishikesh alongside many of the tracks that made up the White Album–check out the bizarre acoustic demo–“Mean Mr. Mustard” got a decidedly glossier treatment when it eventually showed up on vinyl. That didn’t stop John Lennon from deeming it “a bit of crap I wrote in India,” but I’ve always been a fan of it.
As is often the case, Paul McCartney effortlessly elevates the song, with his sly fuzz bass and flawless harmonies. Honestly, I feel like this entire list has essentially been a love letter to Paul McCartney. And sometimes Anna Kendrick.
Anthony Cusumano 