Wednesday, October 18, 2006

My favorite Beatles song

Everybody's born knowing all the Beatles lyrics instinctively. They're passed into the fetus subconsciously along with all the amniotic stuff. Fact, they should be called "The Fetals." - John Hannah, in Sliding Doors

Everybody has a favorite Beatles song, or should. I'm going to hold forth for a bit on mine.



"Rain" was recorded during the Revolver sessions and released as the B-side to "Paperback Writer" in 1966. To start with, it was innovative, and not just with the backward vocals at the end; they played their instruments fast during the recording, then slowed the tape down to give it a thicker, more "ploddy" feel.

Ringo never played better in his life. He drives this song like he does no other, and there's no telling what he's going to do next. Paul's bass sound is huge in this, and he's just started his supermelodic phase. George gets an Eastern droning sound with his guitar that fits the mood perfectly.

As for John, who wrote and sang lead, his lyrics get deeper the more you look at them; we're not talking about rain and sunshine here, folks. There are people trying to escape both the good and the bad in life, but there really is no good and bad. Life is life; go ahead and see it how you will, but remember it's all just your perceptions, not really how it is.

By the way, check out Paul's swollen upper lip and chipped tooth; he'd just been in a car accident. And yes, thank you very much, it is raining as I type this.

1 comment:

Squelch said...

George is so CUTE!