rs 2087KB Dec 07 2015 06:06:16 PM

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Playlist December 6th 2015
9AM
The Beatles - Across The Universe - Let It Be
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
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Prior to leaving for an extended trip to India to study Transcendental Meditation in early
1968, the Beatles recorded several new songs to fill the sides of their upcoming single,
which would be released while they were away. John had originally wanted his new
composition, “Across The Universe,” for the A-side of the single but was still not happy
with the mix of the song. When the Beatles sat down to decide which two of their new
recordings should be used, John preferred “Across the Universe” remain on the shelf for
the time being, giving Paul’s more commercial “Lady Madonna” the A-side. “Across The
Universe” was written entirely by John and was recorded February 4, 1968, in eight
takes. Overdubs were recorded on February 8. Comedian and author Spike Milligan had
been at Abbey Road when the group was working on the song and some months later
inquired about it. He was surprised to learn that “Across the Universe” was sitting
unreleased in EMI’s vault, so Milligan asked Lennon to donate the song to a charity
album he was organizing for the World Wildlife Fund. Milligan was a British comedy
legend who, along with Peter Sellers, starred in “The Goon Show,” one of John’s all-time
favorite programs. Lennon not only gladly contributed the song to be used on the
charity album, but arranged to have the songwriting royalties from the recording given
to the World Wildlife Fund. This charity album version, known by fans as the “Wildlife”
version, was released in December 1969. Although it is popularly believed that the two
versions of “Across The Universe” are different recordings, they are not. Both the
“Wildlife” version and the Phil Spector re-produced version are derived from the same
February 8, 1968, master tape. For the charity album, the sound of birds was added and
the tape was sped up to give it a higher pitch. On April 1, 1970, Spector stripped some
elements from the original February 8, 1968, master tape, slowed it down and added an
orchestra and choir. The instrumental line-up is John on acoustic guitar, Paul on piano,
George on tamboura and wah-wah guitar (second and third refrains only) and Ringo on
drums.
The Beatles - Because - Abbey Road
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John, Paul and George
The group recorded 23 takes on August 1, 1969, with George Martin on a Baldwin spinet
electric harpsichord matching note with John on his Epiphone Casino electric guitar and
Paul on his Rickenbacker bass guitar. For the backing track Ringo kept the beat gently
tapping out a beat on the hi-hat. This was for the musician’s headphones and was not
recorded on the tape. Take 16 was deemed the best backing track and John, Paul, and
George added their lush harmonies to it. On August 4, the three recorded their vocals
two more times, adding to the already thick layers of harmony. Lennon was inspired the
write the song when he hear Yoko playing Beethoven’s piano sonata in C Sharp minor,
opus 27 number two (aka “The Moonlight Sonata”). He asked her to play the chords
backwards and wrote “Because” around that reversed chord sequence. The gorgeous
three-part harmonies of “Because” are showcased on an a cappella mix of the song on
the “Anthology 3” album.
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The Beatles - I’m Only Sleeping - Revolver
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
Written by John and Paul at Kenwood, John’s estate in Weybridge, in one writing
session. Recording of the backing rhythm track began at 11:30 p.m. on April 27, 1966.
John recorded his lead vocal on April 29. Both the vocal and backing track were
recorded at variable speed. It was during the recording of “I’m Only Sleeping” that The
Beatles discovered the “backwards guitar.” On May 5, 1966, as the band continued
working on the song, George painstakingly transcribed the notes in his guitar solo and
flourishes and then wrote them out backwards. He then played them in that reverse
order. The tapes were then superimposed BACKWARDS in the mix, playing the solo
notes and embellishments in the correct order, but maintaining the eerie backwards
sound. “I’m Only Sleeping” was one of three songs issued in America six weeks prior to
their official release in the UK. American and Canadian Beatles fans heard “I’m Only
Sleeping,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” and “Doctor Robert” first on Capitol Records’
“Yesterday And Today” album, issued June 20, 1966. The rest of the world had to wait
until the first week of August for them to appear on the “Revolver” LP.
On U.S. album:
Yesterday And Today - Capitol LP
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The Beatles - I’ll Be Back - A Hard Day’s Night
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
Recorded in 16 takes on June 1, 1964. “I'll Be Back” was written mostly by John Lennon,
and was a reworking of the chords to Del Shannon's 1961 hit “Runaway.” Beatles fans in
America would have to wait five months to hear this exquisite Beatles song, one of
Lennon finest compositions, because Capitol Records held it off their “Something New”
album and released it on “Beatles ‘65” in December 1964.
On U.S. album:
Beatles ‘65 - Capitol LP
The Beatles - All I’ve Got to Do – With The Beatles
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
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Written entirely by John Lennon and introduced to the other Beatles at the session at
which it was recorded, The Beatles never played the song again. Lennon has said this
soulful ballad was his attempt at making a Smokey Robinson song. Recorded on
September 11, 1963 in 14 takes with an overdub (presumably George’s introductory
guitar chord) becoming “take 15” and the finished version. “All I’ve Got to Do” marked a
rare instance in which John’s lead vocal was not double-tracked.
On U.S. album:
Meet The Beatles! - Capitol LP
BREAK
John Lennon and his Beatles singing to you on a Sunday
morning…we lost John 35 years ago this Tuesday…there will
be a gathering in front of Capitol Records at 6.PM…and for
all of you who come year after year…well…Bless you.
John Lennon – Bless You - Walls And Bridges ‘74
This track was an ode to Yoko during the “Lost Weekend” phase. It is considered
one of John’s most tender solo compositions.
John Lennon – My Life - Anthology ‘98
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1980 - Home recording. An early demo of "(Just Like) Starting Over"
John Lennon – (Just Like) Starting Over
This would become the biggest post-Beatles solo 45 rpm ever. This was a fiftiesstyle song that was unlike anything on the radio in 1980. It was an enormous hit
even before the event on December 8th, 1980. A song that was dedicated to
Gene Vincent and Elvis.
John Winston Ono Lennon…yer missed daily…we’ll be back
with Side one of the US version of Rubber Soul which came
out 50 years ago TODAY in the USA
9.27 BREAK
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My favorite Beatles LP is the US version of Rubber Soul…The
one time Capitol Records got it right! They Wanted a of a
folker sound (as that was in w/ Dylan so hip so they ditched
Drive My Car, If I Needed Someone, What Goes On, and
Nowhere Man….and we got a few from HELP and it sound
like this…here side 1 of the US version of The Beatles
Rubber Soul….out TODAY in 1965
The Beatles - I’ve Just Seen A Face - Help!
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: Paul
Written by Paul at the Asher family home on Wimpole Street. Paul had the tune prior to
coming up with the lyrics and originally named the song “Auntie Gin’s Theme” because
his aunt liked it. George Martin’s instrumental “Help!” album includes an orchestrated
version of “I’ve Just Seen A Face” using the title “Auntie Gin’s Theme.” Recorded in six
takes at the same June 14, 1965 McCartney-dominated session that produced
“Yesterday” and “I’m Down.” One of only five Beatles songs Paul chose to perform live
on his Wings Over America tour in 1976.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) - Rubber
Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
Originally recorded on October 12, 1965, The Beatles decided to scrap this version and
re-record the song nine days later, on October 21. George Harrison provides the sitar,
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the first appearance of the instrument on a Beatles recording, though the sitar can be
heard in the instrumental introduction on the American version of “Help!” Written mainly
by John with some lyrical assistance from Paul. John: “I was trying to write about an
affair without letting me wife know… so it was very gobbledegook. I was sort of writing
from my experiences, girls’ flats.” Paul has said that the ending lyrics, “so I lit a fire,”
refer to the house being burned down in an act of revenge by the spurned lover. Bob
Dylan did a slight parody of the song on his 1966 album, Blonde on Blonde. Check out
the song “4th Time Around.”
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - You Won’t See Me - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: Paul
Written entirely by Paul. Recorded in two takes on November 11, 1965, at the final
recording session for the “Rubber Soul” album. The song is notable for Paul’s melodic
bass line, something new to rock and roll. Paul: “It was very Motown-flavored. It's got a
James Jamerson feel. He was the Motown bass player, he was fabulous, the guy who
did all those great melodic bass lines. It was him, me and Brian Wilson who were doing
melodic bass lines at that time.” Beatles roadie Mal Evans is credited on the album’s
back cover with playing Hammond organ on this track, but it is inaudible in the final mix.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Think For Yourself - Rubber Soul
(Harrison)
Lead vocal: George
The fifth original composition by George Harrison to be recorded by The Beatles was
completed on November 8, 1965 in one take with overdubs under the working title
“Won’t Be There With You.” The song features Paul playing his bass through a fuzz box
to give it a distorted sound.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - The Word - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
Recorded in three takes at a late night session starting on November 10, 1965 that ran
until 4 a.m. the next morning. Overdubs include Paul on piano, George Martin on
harmonium, and Ringo playing the maracas. The song is a full collaboration between
Lennon and McCartney, and began as an attempt to write a song based around a single
note.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Michelle - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: Paul
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The basic backing track of this classic song was completed in one take on November 3,
1965. Various overdubs and double-tracking were added to complete the song the same
day. Lennon is credited with coming up with the “I love you” middle eight section. The
tune had been written by Paul several years earlier but he didn’t have proper lyrics until
1965.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
*** BED MUSIC INCLUDED Michelle
QUIZ #1 / Who’s singing that Rubber Soul song?
9.57 BREAK
Side 2
The Beatles - It’s Only Love- Help!
(Lennon-McCartney)
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Lead vocal: John
Recorded in six takes on June 15, 1965. The first Beatles song to include a reference to
getting “high” (“I get high when I see you go by”). The working title prior to lyrics being
written was “That’s a Nice Hat.” George Martin and his Orchestra recorded the
instrumental version of “It’s Only Love” using the original title. In 1972 Lennon called
“It’s Only Love” “the one song I really hate of mine.”
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Girl - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
Written primarily by John, the song was completed in two takes on November 11, 1965.
The song is notable for the naughty backing vocal (Paul and George repeating the word
“tit”) and John’s heavy breathing during his vocal. John called this one of his best.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - I’m Looking Through You - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: Paul
Written by Paul after an argument with then-girlfriend, actress Jane Asher. Initially
recorded on October 24, 1965, the song was re-recorded from scratch on November 6,
but McCartney was still not satisfied. Four days later, on November 10, the group took
another stab at it. Paul’s lead vocal was superimposed the next day. The version issued
by Capitol Records has two false starts.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - In My Life - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocals: John with Paul
Recorded October 18, 1965 and written primarily by John, who called it his “first real
major piece of work.” Of all the Lennon-McCartney collaborations only two songs have
really been disputed by John and Paul themselves -- “Eleanor Rigby” and “In My Life.”
Both agree that the lyrics are 100% Lennon, but John says Paul helped on the musical
bridge, while Paul recalls writing the entire melody on John’s Mellotron. The gorgeous
piano solo is provided by George Martin. To give his solo a harpsichord sound the
producer played the piano at half speed and an octave lower so that when played at
regular speed it would be in the correct key for the song.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Wait - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocals: John and Paul
Recorded June 17, 1965 during the “Help!” sessions, the song was left unfinished when
The Beatles had hit the deadline to submit the album. Five months later, as the deadline
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to submit “Rubber Soul” was upon them, they grabbed the unfinished song, threw on
some overdubs and decreed it finished. Specifically, they added a tone pedal guitar,
tambourine, maracas, and more vocals on November 11, 1965, the final day of
recording for “Rubber Soul.”
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Run For Your Life - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
The first song completed when sessions for “Rubber Soul” began on October 12, 1965.
John Lennon lifted the opening line (“I’d rather see you dead little girl than to be with
another man”) from “Baby Let’s Play House,” popularized by Elvis Presley.
On U.S. album:
Rubber Soul - Capitol LP
NEWS BREAK
Ringo – I’m The Greatest! - RINGO
10.27 BREAK
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The single from the Rubber Soul album was
their 1st double A sided effort
The Beatles - Day Tripper – Past Masters
Recorded: 16 October 1965
Rubber Soul sessions Oct. `65 – Yesterday & Today LP here in the US… The
eleventh official EMI release.
The first official double "A" side release of “We Can Work It Out”
Inspired in part by John and George's first experience with acid, "Day
Tripper" was written under pressure for use as a single for the Christmas
season. John wrote most of the song, with Paul contributing to each of the
verses
b/w
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The Beatles - We Can Work It Out – Past Masters
Recorded: 20/29 October 1965
RELEASED AS A CHRISTMAS SINGLE ON DEC. 3RD 1965 AND IT KICKED OFF THE RUBBER SOUL
SESSIONS IN OCT. 1965
Yesterday & Today in US / Collection of Oldies in UK
Written by Paul as a pleading song to Jane Asher, who had just moved
away from London to join the theatre. It was the first such instance in their
relationship, and one that contributed to their eventual breakup
The Beatles - Drive My Car - Rubber Soul
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(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocals: Paul and John
The lead off track to Rubber Soul on the UK version was recorded on October 13, 1965.
This session was the first in Beatles recording history to go past midnight. The music
was written by Paul but he needed help with the lyrics. He and John worked through the
song and came up with “baby you can drive my car” in place of temporary lyrics Paul
was using (“you can give me golden rings”). “Drive my car” is an old blues expression
for sex. The basic track was completed in four takes. Thanks to overdubbing, McCartney
plays bass, piano and slide guitar (his Epiphone Casino). Paul provides the guitar solo in
the song’s introduction, middle and ending.
On U.S. album:
Yesterday and Today - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Nowhere Man - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
Under pressure to deliver new material while the “Rubber Soul” album was being
recorded, John Lennon spent five hours one morning at home trying to come up with a
new song. John: “I'd actually stopped trying to think of something. Nothing would come.
I was cheesed off and went for a lie down, having given up. Then I thought of myself as
Nowhere Man - sitting in his nowhere land.” Paul: “We were always forcing [the Abbey
Road staff] into things they didn't want to do. ‘Nowhere Man’ was one. I remember we
wanted very treble-y guitars, which they are, they're among the most treble-y guitars
I've ever heard on record.” “Nowhere Man” was performed throughout The Beatles’
1966 world tour. Issued as a single (b/w “What Goes On”) by Capitol Records in
America. Recorded on October 22, 1965.
On U.S. album:
Yesterday and Today - Capitol LP
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The Beatles - What Goes On - Rubber Soul
(Lennon-McCartney-Starkey)
Lead vocal: Ringo
The only song credited to John, Paul and Ringo. It is Ringo Starr’s first writing credit on
a Beatles record. Ringo has said his contribution to this song consisted of about five
words. The song originally had been rehearsed, but not recorded, during the March 5,
1963, session for The Beatles’ third single, “From Me To You.” In need of songs for the
“Rubber Soul” album, the song was resurrected, with McCartney recording a demo to
guide Ringo through the song. Recorded in one take on November 4, 1965. The B-side
of “Nowhere Man” in America.
On U.S. album:
Yesterday and Today - Capitol LP
The Beatles - If I Needed Someone - Rubber Soul
(Harrison)
Lead vocal: George
The fourth original composition by George Harrison to be recorded by The Beatles was
heavily inspired by the 12-string guitar sound of The Byrds. The introduction of George
Harrison’s “If I Needed Someone” is strikingly similar to the introduction of The Byrds’
“The Bells Of Rhymney.” Harrison commented that the song was “like a million other
songs written around the D chord.” The backing track was recorded in one take on
October 16, 1965. George’s double-tracked lead vocal and John and Paul’s backing
vocals were added two days later. The song was performed live by The Beatles in late
1965 and was a staple of their 1966 world tour.
On U.S. album:
Yesterday and Today - Capitol LP
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During the Rubber Soul sessions the Beatles took time to
record their 3rd XMAS record…what Beatles song were they
recording on that same day….What song did the Beatles
take a break from recording to work on their 3 Xmas record?
800-955-KLOS…wanna hear some rare 1965 outtakes
from that day of our Quiz question?
Beatles 1965 XMAS Outtake…winner?
Time wanna hear the instrumental record during the
Rubber Soul sessions? Sound like a different group of
guys….
The Beatles – 12 Bar Original - 1965
Or
Another quiz here?
Back w/ and hour on John Lennon…..
10.57 BREAK
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The Beatles - Please Please Me – Please Please Me
(McCartney-Lennon)
Lead vocal: John and Paul
The Beatles’ second single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
Written entirely by John Lennon in the bedroom of his Aunt Mimi’s home on Menlove
Ave., Lennon has said it was his attempt at writing a Roy Orbison song. In fact, the
original version was a slower, bluesy version which producer George Martin recalls as
being “rather dreary.” Because Martin was insisting on releasing their previously
recorded cover of “How Do You Do It?” as their next single, The Beatles rearranged
“Please Please Me” as an up-tempo song with harmonies and harmonica and then stood
their ground to get it selected as their second single. Martin agreed to issue this Beatles
original as the next single, shelving “How Do You Do It?” for another month, when it
again came up for consideration for a single release. This was the first record owned by
Elvis Costello, who was in the Beatles Fan Club when he was eleven. The 45 rpm single
was released January 11, 1963 and topped two of the UK music industry’s three sales
charts, compelling EMI to order a full album of songs from the band. It was the first
Beatles release to list the songwriters as “McCartney-Lennon.” Both sides featured the
credit in that last name order. Released three different times in the U.S. on Vee-Jay. The
coupling of “Please Please Me” and “Ask Me Why” caused many to take notice of The
Beatles, and particularly Lennon and McCartney's burgeoning songwriting partnership. It
led to Dick James approaching them to found Northern Songs, their music publishing
company.
On U.S. albums:
Introducing… The Beatles (Version 2) - Vee-Jay LP
The Early Beatles - Capitol LP
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The Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night - A Hard Day’s Night
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John with Paul
The Beatles’ seventh single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
The title is a Ringoism, coined by the drummer sometime in 1963 and used by John in
his book “In His Own Write.” With the film nearly completed the last bit of business was
to give the film a name. The project was being filmed with the working title
“Beatlemania.” On April 13, 1964 The Beatles met with key personnel from the studio
and bounced title ideas. It was felt they’d find no better suggestion than Ringo’s offhand remark “it’s been a hard day’s night” and John volunteered to write the title song
that evening. The next morning he brought the song in and taught it to Paul. Paul
cleaned up the middle section and the two played it for producer Walter Shenson. Two
days later The Beatles would formally record the song. It was a rarity for an outsider to
be allowed in the studio or control booth while The Beatles rehearsed and recorded. An
exception was made for the director of the “A Hard Day’s Night” film, Richard Lester.
Lester was in the control booth and offered many suggestions during the morning while
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this key song was worked out, much to the dismay of producer George Martin. It was
Lester’s suggestion that the song open dramatically (as it would open the film), and fade
out at the end in a cinematic way. He got his wish. George’s striking a G suspended 4th
chord on his 12-string Rickenbacker make this record instantly recognizable in its
opening two seconds. Released as a single in the UK on July 10, 1964, it went straight
to #1.
On U.S. album:
A Hard Day’s Night - United Artists LP
The Beatles - Bad Boy - A Collection Of Oldies
(Williams)
Lead vocal: John
Recorded specifically for the American market at the urgent request of Capitol Records
executives, who needed two songs to fill out their upcoming “Beatles VI” album. Of
course, Capitol had four songs in its possession it could have included (“From Me To
You,” “Misery,” “There’s A Place” and the German-language version of “She Loves You,”
had all yet to appear on an LP in America), but they went to the Beatles and asked for
something new ASAP. With no new material ready to go the band pulled two Larry
Williams’ songs from their pre-fame club repertoire, “Bad Boy” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy,”
that could be recorded in one day and then the tapes would be air-freighted to Capitol
Records in Los Angeles.
“Bad Boy” would go unreleased in the UK for another year and a half until it turned up
on the hits compilation “A Collection of Beatles Oldies” in December 1966. Recorded on
May 10, 1965.
On U.S. album:
Beatles VI - Capitol LP
On UK album:
A Collection of Beatles Oldies - Parlophone LP (1966)
The Beatles - Any Time At All - A Hard Day’s Night
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
Recorded June 2, 1964, the last day of recording for the “A Hard Day’s Night” album.
John Lennon: “An effort at writing ‘It Won't Be Long’ - same ilk. C to A minor, C to A
minor with me shouting.” The song was in an unfinished state when Lennon brought it
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to the band to record on June 2. The group worked out the arrangement throughout the
day and night. Up against the wall on a deadline to submit the album, the piano section
in the middle eight was left without lyrics. They had run out of time. On April 8, 1988,
Lennon's handwritten lyrics for “Any Time At All” were sold for £6,000 at an auction held
at Sotheby's in London.
On U.S. album:
Something New - Capitol LP
The Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows - Revolver
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
The first song recorded for what would become the “Revolver” album. John’s
composition was unlike anything The Beatles or anyone else had ever recorded.
Lennon’s vocal is buried under a wall of sound -- an assemblage of repeating tape loops
and sound effects – placed on top of a dense one chord song with basic melody driven
by Ringo's thunderous drum pattern. The lyrics were largely taken from “The
Psychedelic Experience,” a 1964 book written by Harvard psychologists Timothy Leary
and Richard Alpert, which contained an adaptation of the ancient “Tibetan Book of the
Dead.” Each Beatle worked at home on creating strange sounds to add to the mix. Then
they were added at different speeds sometime backwards. Paul got “arranging” credit.
He had discovered that by removing the erase head on his Grundig reel-to-reel tape
machine, he could saturate a recording with sound.
There were five loops used on “Tomorrow Never Knows.” In order of appearance they
are: a laughing male (presumably McCartney) that sounds like seagulls; a B flat major
chord played by an orchestra; a sitar phrase reversed; a phrase performed on mandolin
or acoustic guitar; and a scalar sitar line reversed. All loops except the b flat major
chord were played double-speed. The lyrics are about as far away from “She loves you,
yeah, yeah, yeah” (written just three years earlier) as you can get. “Turn off your mind,
relax and float down stream/It is not dying, it is not dying/Lay down all thought,
surrender to the void/It is shining, it is shining.” John: “I gave it a throwaway title
because I was a bit self-conscious about the lyrics. So I took one of Ringo’s
malapropisms, which are like ‘Hard Day’s Night,’ to take the edge off the heavy
philosophical lyrics. Production began on “Tomorrow Never Knows” under the working
title “Mark I” on April 6, 1966. Take one of this complex recording can be found on the
“Anthology 2” album.
On U.S. album:
Revolver - Capitol LP
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The Beatles - I Am The Walrus – Magical
Mystery Tour (EP)
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
The Beatles’ sixteenth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label.
On U.S. album:
Magical Mystery Tour - Capitol LP
1967 saw the release of the Beatles’ greatest single combination (“Strawberry
Fields Forever”/”Penny Lane”), their most critically-acclaimed album to date
(“Sgt. Pepper”), a worldwide audience was clamoring to purchase their “All You
Need Is Love” single, and, as December rolled around, they were enjoying yet
another number one single for the record books (“Hello, Goodbye”/”I Am The
Walrus”) and the double-EP set for the music from “Magical Mystery Tour” was
selling briskly and would land at or near the top of the singles charts in Great
Britain. The Beatles were on a roll. What could possibly go wrong?
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The Beatles - Revolution - Non-LP Track
(Lennon-McCartney)
Lead vocal: John
The Beatles’ eighteenth single release for EMI, their first on the Apple
Records label.
John Lennon lobbied hard to get his magnificent rocker on the A-side of the band’s
summer 1968 single, but by any standard, Paul’s “Hey Jude” was an unbeatable choice
for the A-side. There are three versions of John’s “Revolution.” The first one recorded
was the slower version which opens the fourth side of “The Beatles” and was released
under the title “Revolution 1.” That track was the first song to be recorded for what
would be known as the “White Album.” Ultimately, the song ran over 10 minutes. Much
of it was cut out and used to create the sound collage entitled “Revolution 9,” which
would also appear on side four of the new album. Shortly before his death in 1980, John
explained the reason for the song’s remake into a fast rocker: Paul and George refused
to allow the original slower recording to be released as the next Beatles single, fearing it
was not upbeat enough. So Lennon decided they would record the song fast and loud.
Recording began on the fast and loud single version of “Revolution” on July 10, 1968.
Additional overdubs were added on July 11 and 12, and the final mix was completed on
July 15. The single was issued on August 30, 1968, in the UK, and on August 26 in the
U.S. The “Hey Jude”/“Revolution” single would go on to sell nearly five million copies in
the U.S. and eight million copies worldwide.
On U.S. album:
Hey Jude - Capitol LP
We just the many moods of John Lennon….spanning the years 1962 to 1968
Quick quiz…name the longest song on Rubber Soul….only one song
over three minutes…name it!
800-955-KLOS
10.57 BREAK
John Lennon – Working Class Hero – Rehearsal 1972
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John Lennon – God - Plastic Ono Band ‘70
This was the definitive track on the LP. This song was “stuck together” from
three different, unfinished compositions. This included a laundry list of John’s
opinions on his lost beliefs (namely people and philosophies). This was the song
that confirmed the Beatles were over – John revealed he didn’t believe in the
band, nor was Paul the walrus. John finally reveals that he was indeed the
walrus.
John Lennon – Imagine – Imagine ‘71
John’s most famous anthem, and one of the most memorable songs of all time,
this was to be considered John’s “Yesterday.” It was inspired by Yoko’s poem
“Cloud Piece” from 1963. It continues to have massive radio play to this very day
and was infamously censored (and retracted) by Clear Channel following the
9/11 attacks. This was John’s dream – no religion, no wars, no possessions – his
utopian ideal.
25
John & Yoko/The Plastic Ono Band – Happy Xmas (War Is
Over) – Early Mix
This is one of the most popular Christmas Holiday tunes of all time. John used
the basic melody from Peter, Paul & Mary’s “Stewball,” with a terrific backing
vocal from the Harlem Children’s Community Choir.