There are two kinds of people in the world: those who prefer the fast, distorted version of “Revolution” that served as the b-side to “Hey Jude,” and those–John Lennon among them–who favor the gentler, bouncy “Revolution 1” you’ll find on the White Album. However, there are no people in the world who would opt for what is oh-so-diplomatically referred to as a “sound collage,” “Revolution 9.”

In fairness, if I didn’t have both renditions to choose from, I’d certainly give “Revolution 1” more love, but it’s Continue reading “#142: Revolution 1” →

It’s quite fitting that “Good Morning, Good Morning” is followed on the ranking by my response any time someone says that to me…”I’m So Tired.” This is one of those songs that really displays why the White Album is the Beatles’ best album while being pound-for-pound their worst. Individually, I’d consider “I’m So Tired” solid, maybe even intriguing, but not outstanding. In the context of the controlled chaos that is the White Album, though, it works perfectly.

John’s cool, hazy vocal delivery perfectly suits his hesitant lyrics during the verses, but like any bout of restlessness, the chorus packs a passionate punch. The song is probably best known for directly dissing Continue reading “#143: I’m So Tired” →

Before George Harrison dedicated large chunks of his solo albums to songs about his devotion to the Almighty, he wrote some biting lyrics chastising those who worship a different power, the almighty dollar. “Taxman” is his most famous financial finger-pointing, but “Piggies” may be Continue reading “#151: Piggies” →

On the surface, “Savoy Truffle” is kind of a novelty song. George Harrison lists off a bunch of fancy candy varieties in a gentle ribbing of his pal Eric Clapton, a chocoholic/problem dental patient. George had a habit of poking fun at Eric’s foibles in song, like when he recorded an awful cover of Continue reading “#158: Savoy Truffle” →

I still remember the first time I heard “Long, Long, Long.” No, it was not some life-changing moment that forever altered my state of consciousness. I’ll always remember it because it was one of the most Continue reading “#165: Long, Long, Long” →

“Honey Pie” is about as corny as it gets, and considering we’re talking about Paul McCartney here, that’s saying a lot. I completely understand why so many people blast his affinity for writing silly love songs (sometimes self-deprecatingly), but count me in the camp that finds them Continue reading “#169: Honey Pie” →

I’m just gonna come right out and drop a hot take: Paul McCartney is pretty darn good at music. Put down the pitchforks and I can explain. Well, first off, have you heard Continue reading “#172: Mother Nature’s Son” →

Now we’re getting into the straight-up weird stuff. There’s really no discernible reason why “Wild Honey Pie” should even exist. It’s just a minute of Paul McCartney going crazy and shrieking “Honey pie!” repeatedly. Notice, I’m not complaining about any of this. As I’ve said before, I like when Paul McCartney gets weird. And apparently I’m not the only one, since the only reason “Wild Honey Pie” ended up on the White Album was because George Harrison’s wife was a fan. It’s the sort of song Continue reading “#187: Wild Honey Pie” →

When future grunge greats Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley were just a year old, John Lennon was perfecting the art of writing depressingly straightforward lyrics about loneliness and wanting to die. I mean, this song literally starts with, “Yes I’m lonely, wanna die,” which doesn’t leave much open to interpretation. Some suggest the song was a parody of the emerging British blues scene, but Lennon says otherwise:

The funny thing about the [Maharishi’s] camp was that, although it was very beautiful and I was meditating about eight hours a day, I was writing the most miserable songs on earth. In “Yer Blues,” when I wrote, “I’m so lonely I want to die,” I’m not kidding. That’s how I felt.

As a…well, I hesitate to use the word “diehard” fan of 90s alternative rock, I definitely think it’s possible Continue reading “#192: Yer Blues” →

Lyrically, “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” is so weirdly entertaining that I can’t help but love it–and it’s based on a true story, which makes it even better. Musically, it has so little to offer that it genuinely feels like the one song in the Beatles’ canon that literally anyone could have written. The chorus is essentially a children’s singalong, and John Lennon put less effort into creating smooth transitions than Steven Wright.

Inspired by a curious companion during the Beatles’ 1968 stay in Rishikesh, India, many of the details related in the song Continue reading “#193: The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” →