Lyr Req: songs by The Beatles

Subject: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 10:33 PM

OK, here's the deal. When the Beatles hit these shores I was too aged to be anything but appalled at the lyrics of their first half dozen songs. So I just quit listening. And I still have not developed any appreciation for their 'sound'.

I keep hearing devotees enthusing over the Beatles' musicanship, their lyric writing ability, the way they forever have changed music as we know it.

So. Post some of the lyrics of some of the songs that you think capture their talent. Show me what is so great about them.

She loves you, yah, yah, yah...I wanna hol' your h-a-n-d...

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 10:36 PM

Well, (for a start)for good lyrics you're looking in the wrong period. They're greatest lyrical period was 66-68 IMO, and they're greatest musical period was between 63-65. As you see they crossed briefly...

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 11:02 PM

For lyrics, I would recommend The Ballad of John and Yoko, Get Back, and Come Together, although personally i also love their earlier, more simplistic stuff :0) You might want to try Some of John Lennon's solo material as well.

I think with the Beatles, what's attractive is not the music or lyrics in isolation, but, as you said, a 'sound'. It might be an idea to buy a 'best of' compilation, 'The Beatles/ 1967-1970' would be A good one to get, i think. It's got a blue cover with a picture of the band looking down off a balcony. It has all the songs i mentioned above, andf some other crackers like 'Don't Let Me Down' on it. Either that or get a Beatles loving friend to make a tape up for you, and listen to it in the car or something, it might just grow on you if you don't force it :0)

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 11:03 PM

Oopsies, forgot to mention, if you type 'beatles lyrics' into a search engine, it'll come up with hundreds if not thousands of pages for your perusal! Good luck ! :0)

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 11:37 PM

For lyrics only, how 'bout "In My Life"? That's the first to come to my mind, a John Lennon masterpiece covered by many other artists. (I think Judy Collins was the first.)

McCartney's "Yesterday" is the single most-covered song of all time, and his "Michelle" is right up there, but I'm not sure whether either of these sentimental ballads would be all that impressive when the lyrics are read without the music. People sure like the songs, though, and request 'em all the time.

I don't agree that the Beatles' early years were "better" musically than later. I think they continued to develop & get better in every respect. They did become increasingly *separate* songwriting personalities with time -- the Lennon-McCartney partnership was "in-name-only" after the first few years (as soon as they achieved international fame, actually), and George Harrison emerged very gradually as a significant songwriter on his own.

I am continually more and more impressed by George's work; every one of his songs is completely diferent from any other, of his or anyone's.

In fact, George's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" might hold up to scrutiny from a lyrics-only point of view, I don't know; it's hard for me to separate the lyrics from the music, especially since the song is *about* its own instrumental sound.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 11:57 PM

Nah, there is no way I'm going out to buy Beatles. And I do have Beatles loving friends but frankly, they're not that helpful. See, my contention is that the ones who just love the Beatles were around age 14 in 1964, which fact has a great deal to do with their devotion.

I'm not talking about the single Beatles or even about 'Yesterday'; that is one song that I like- to me, that song and the songs that individual Beatles members recorded later not have the Beatles sound.

For the rest, don't tell me-show me.

Subject: Lyr Add: LET IT BE + PAPERBACK WRITER + ...
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:51 AM

I was almost too young, Ebbie and hated their first few, too, but I grew to love those songs as well as the ones which came later. I, too, think it is the overall sounds, not just the music, nor the lyrics. Some of my favs include:

Let it be

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be. yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

A beautiful, quietly moving song.



Paperback Writer - here's the beginning of it:

Paperback writer, paperback writer.
Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It's based on a novel by a man named Lear,
And I need a job,
So I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

It's got a great, driving beat and the words scan really well.

For some fun, almost pure honky-tonk ballad-type, try out Rocky Raccoon:

Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of dakota
There lived a young boy named rocky raccoon
And one day his woman ran off with another guy
Hit young rocky in the eye, rocky didn't like that
He said I'm gonna get that boy
So one day he walked into town
Booked himself a room in the local saloon

Rocky raccoon checked into his room
Only to find gideon's bible
Rocky had come equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival
His rival it seems had broken his dreams
By stealing the girl of his fancy
Her name was magil and she called herself lil
But everyone knew her as nancy

Now she and her man who called himself dan
Were in the next room at the hoe down
Rocky burst in and grinning a grin
He said danny boy this is a showdown
But daniel was hot - he drew first and shot
And rocky collapsed in the corner

Now the doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said rocky you met your match
And rocky said, doc it's only a scratch
And I'll be better, I'll be better doc as soon as I am able

Now rocky raccoon he fell back in his room
Only to find gideon's bible
Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt
To help with good rocky's revival.

This has honky-tonk piano in it. Some of the lyrics bring to mind the old ghost towns we explored when I was kid, plus the old stories of Doc Holliday and various gunfights in the Old West, as well as "Gunsmoke" and "Wild West" episodes from tv!

Someone else mentioned another fav:

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know why nobody told you how to unfold your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
They bought and sold you.

I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know how you were diverted
You were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
No one alerted you.

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
Look at you all . . .
Still my guitar gently weeps.

This one might be really good for the darktime of the North where you are, Ebbie**bg** A beautiful, gentle song:

Here Comes the Sun

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
And I say it's all right
It's all right

Of course there's more where those came from, but those are the ones I can think of at the moment.:-)

kat

Subject: Lyr Add: IMAGINE (John Lennon)
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 03:58 AM

Imagine there's no Heaven,
It's easy if you try.
No Hell below us,
Above us only sky.
Imagine all the people, living life in peace.
You may say I'm a dreamer,
But I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us and the world can live as one,
Imagine no possessions,
It isn't hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for,
And no religion too.

In spite of my Christian belief and this view/opinion of Lennon going against it...I can't help but think that the sentiment of togetherness and world peace is brilliant. The tune also sits the song.
Best wishes, GS

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 04:11 AM

I don't know if this is a testimonial to their tunesmithing abilities but in the classical guitar world (where my alter-ego sometimes resides), two of the sometime forerunners of modern guitar composition have seen fit to do arrangements of Beatles tunes. The Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu in a series of 12 songs for solo guitar chose to include 4 Beatles songs: Here, There and Everywhere - one of my own favourites - Michelle, Hey Jude and Yesterday (this was along with Summertime and Over The Rainbow, but also The International and The Londonderry Air). The Cuban Leo Brouwer composed a suite for guitar and orchestra called From Yesterday To Penny Lane, which included She's Leaving Home (another of my favourites - I'm a sucker for sentimental ballads), A Ticket To Ride, Here There And Everywhere, Yesterday, Got To Get You Into My Life, Eleanor Rigby and Penny Lane.

It may be significant that although both of these composers were part of the avante-garde movement in the 60s and 70s, they both also wrote tremendous amounts of film-soundtrack music (Takemitsu won an award for one of them) so may have the ears for spotting a good catchy tune.

Mick

Subject: Lyr Add: FOR NO ONE (Lennon/McCartney)
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 04:35 AM

Here's one I'd forgotten, from Revolver. These are pretty mature lyrics, for a 20-something McCartney.

FOR NO ONE

Your day breaks, your mind aches
You find that all the words of kindness linger on
When she no longer needs you

She wakes up, she makes up
She takes her time and doesn't feel she has to hurry
She no longer needs you

And in her eyes you see nothing
No sign of love behind the tears
Cried for no one
A love that should have lasted years!

You want her, you need her
And yet you don't believe her when she said her love is dead
You think she needs you

And in her eyes you see nothing
No sign of love behind the tears
Cried for no one
A love that should have lasted years!

You stay home, she goes out
She says that long ago she knew someone but now he's gone
She doesn't need him

Your day breaks, your mind aches
There will be time when all the things she said will fil your head
You won't forget her

And in her eyes you see nothing
No sign of love behind the tears
Cried for no one
A love that should have lasted years!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: Lyr Add: THINGS WE SAID TODAY (Lennon/McCartney)
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 05:07 AM

You say you will love me if I have to go
You'll be thinking of me - somehow I will know
Someday when I'm dreaming - wishing you weren't so far away
Then I will remember the things we said today

You say you'll be mine girl till the end of time
These days such a fine girl seems so hard to find
Some day when we're dreaming - deep in love not a lot to say
Then we will remember the things we said today

Me I'm just the lucky kind love to hear you say that love is love
And though we may be blind love is here to stay and that's enough

To make you my girl
Be the only one
Love me all the time girl - we'll go on and on
Someday when we're dreaming - deep in love not a lot to say
Then we will remember the things we said today


That's a simple lyric, although the words from the middle eight merge seamlessly into the third verse. It's nice craftsmanship. I can sing that song without embarassment in my late forties, which makes it a pretty mature piece of work for a twenty-three year old!

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Stu
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 05:46 AM

"They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe"

Subject: Lyr Add: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE (Lennon/McCartney)
From: s6k
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 06:44 AM

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
(Lennon/McCartney)

Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love

There's nothing you can do that can't be done
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy

There's nothing you can make that can't be made
No one you can save that can't be saved
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy

All you need is love, all you need is love
All you need is love, love, love is all you need

There's nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy
All you need is love, all you need is love
All you need is love, love, love is all you need

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST,Seaking
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 07:17 AM

"We all live in a Yellow Submarine"

Well, I believed it..

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: *Laura*
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 08:13 AM

"Life is Very short,
and there's no ti-i-i-i-ime,
for fussing and fighting my friend"

(We Can Work It Out)

"All you need is love"

"Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
whith tangerine trees and marmalade skies... etc" (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

"Help!" - brilliant.

Love 'em all.

xLx

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Peter T.
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 08:39 AM

I think what astonishes people who were Beatle fans at 14 (me) was not that those songs were great (which they were), but the extraordinary growth in the next four years. It is the whole arc of their work that stuns. To go from "Love Me Do" to "A Day in the Life" is so staggering. The only equivalent I can think of is Keats' from Endymion to Ode To A Nightingale in three years. Where the hell did that talent come from? They just pour the stuff out, as fast as they can write it. "Lads, we need a song for the film." Lennon goes home, writes "A Hard Day's Night", they record it the next day.

Their greatest claim to fame I think is that they bequeathed a model of incessant creativity to their generation. We have always had that model in front of us, and it is a good model.

"In My Life" and "Here,There, and Everywhere" are classics -- in the league of Cole Porter, Schubert. Simple, heartfelt, with a fine shape to them.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 08:53 AM

For me, friend Ebbie, it has to do with what was created by their success. When one looks at the eclectic, exciting musical experiments spawned by their success, one cannot help but be amazed. I am not saying they were solely responsible for the mid 60's to early 70's music, but their success and their experimentation spawned whole subsets of the rock genre. I am thinking of music influenced by baroque, classical, blues, rockabilly, and on and on. Add to this the great lyrics, and you start to get a glimpse of their greatness.

Lyrics examples:

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away"
"Here I stand, head in hand, turn my face to the wall.
If she's gone, I can't go on, feeling two foot small....
Hey, you've got to hide your love away

WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS
I look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping,
while my guitar gently weeps,
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know why nobody told you
how to unfold your love, I don't know how someone controlled you
They bought and sold you

Norwegian Wood
I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me?
She showed me her room, isn't it good? Norwegian wood.
She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere.
So I looked around and I noticed there wasn't a chair...

If I had more time I would include many more.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: *daylia*
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 09:02 AM

"You'd better watch your step girl
I'd rather see you dead girl
Than see you with another man".

Isn't that the Beatles too? Either a sign of the times, one of their less enlightened moments, or a little bit of both I guess.

Subject: Lyr Add: I WILL (Lennon/McCartney)
From: GLoux
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 09:04 AM

For me, the Beatles (Lennon/McCartney) matured into amazing songwriters that went beyond the poetry in their lyrics. They wove the most amazingly creative chord progressions and lyric melodies around the words that combined into a package that is pretty much unmatched.

Yesterday is a perfect example.

Another one of my favorites:

I WILL
(Lennon/McCartney)
As recorded by The Beatles on "The Beatles" [aka "The White Album"] (1968)

Who knows how long I've loved you?
You know I love you still.
Will I wait a lonely lifetime?
If you want me to, I will.

For if I ever saw you,
I didn't catch your name,
But it never really mattered.
I will always feel the same.

Love you forever and forever,
Love you with all my heart,
Love you whenever we're together,
Love you when we're apart.

And when at last I find you,
Your song will fill the air.
Sing it loud so I can hear you.
Make it easy to be near you,
For the things you do endear you to me,
Ah, you know I will.
I will.

-Greg

Subject: Lyr Add: ELEANOR RIGBY (Lennon/McCartney)
From: Alba
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 09:06 AM

To me they were always Evolving....and diverse from the start of the Band till the end....I don't 'Love" every song they wrote but I do LOVE a lot of them. I grew up with them so.......Here's two of my favorites:

Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been,
lives in a dream,
waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door.
Who is it for?

All the lonely people.
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people.
Where do they all belong?

Father McKenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear,
no one comes near,
look at him working. Darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there.
What does he care?

All the lonely people.
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people.
Where do they all belong?

Ah, look at all the lonely people.
Ah, look at all the lonely people.

Eleanor Rigby, died in the church and was buried along with her name,
nobody came.
Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave,
no one was saved.

All the lonely people.
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people.
Where do they all belong?

and my other choice:

The long and winding road
That leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before
It always leads me here
Leads me to you door

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried
Any way you'll never know
The many ways I've tried

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

But still they lead me back
To the long winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah




I hope you find something in the hundreds of Songs they wrote Ebbie that helps you like them....:>)
Love and Light
Jude

Subject: Lyr Add: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE (Lennon/McCartney)
From: *daylia*
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 09:14 AM

Just found the song about seeing her dead online ....

THE BEATLES lyrics - "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE"
(Lennon/McCartney)


Well I'd rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or I won't know where I am

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end ah little girl

Well I know that I'm a wicked guy
And I was born with a jealous mind
And I can't spend my whole life
Trying just to make you toe the line

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end ah little girl

Let this be a sermon
I mean everything I've said
Baby, I'm determined
And I'd rather see you dead

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end ah little girl

I'd rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won't know where I am

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end ah little girl
Nah nah nah
Nah nah nah
Nah nah nah
Nah nah nah (fade out)


That song was on the mid-sixties album Revolver, I think.
Egads. Am I glad the times they were a-changin.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN MY LIFE (Lennon/McCartney)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 10:13 AM

Sorry to have just submitted titles, not provided lyrics. Here's "In My Life:"

There are places I'll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more
In my life, I love you more

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 10:26 AM

A couple of things you Americans should bear in mind ...

In the early days, Lennon & McCartney were consciously emulating (or imitating, if you prefer) the style of Buddy Holly: trying to get the same level of simple and simplistic lyrics tied to a catchy tune. I think we can say they achieved this.

The UK kids were listening to mostly of US music: Holly, Elvis, all those. The new bands -- the Mersey bands, the Rolling Stones (named for a US blues song) and the rest -- were like a breath of fresh air to many, and were home-grown to boot. The British groups' popularity mushroomed here.

Later in the sixties, the dollar/pound exchange rate favoured US record producers recording over here, which was a boost to UK bands who wanted to tour the States. All the popular bands would have crossed the pond sooner or later; conditions helped make it sooner.

You don't have to like the Beatles! We won't think any the less of you for it; presumably, Ebbie, you're a Stones man?

Steve

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Tansy
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 10:34 AM

I can't really speak to the whole lyrical aspect of things, having been born in 1964 and therefore too young to have really participated in the cultural debates about The Beatles. However, as a young adult folkie, even amongst blue grass crowds, we often got requests for Beatles songs that people weren't even aware WERE Beatles songs such as :

Mother Nature's Son
Dear Prudence
Here There and Everywhere
You Won't see me
Golden slumbers
For No One

In 1990, I cam across a marvelous record by John Arpin, a Ragtime pianist who did totally faithful Ragtime renditions of about 12 Beatle's numbers which sounded almost perfect in that tradition. I don't know if that record is still available, but I have the cd and wouldn't mind swapping mix-tapes if somebody can hook me up with some instrumental Beatles covers of their own.

People have mentioned songs like "Let it Be" and "Imagine" which have entered into the group mind and pop up when people start singing to coslole themselves. I think that is the true test of a song-writer's mettle. I've sung "Imagine" at a huge sit-in in 1986 to protest the firing of an openly Gay Music Professor in Albany NY. We had about 500 people and the TV cameras didn't bother to shoot anything until somebody started strumming the chords to "Imagine" and the entire group began to sing. That was some momnent. "Across the Universe" is another one of those songs that just pops up at the right time too.

Then there are the less serious songs which people just love to sing. Ringo starr's VH1 Storytellers CD is a great example of that. The recording of "Love Me Do" on that record is hands-down fabulous and shows you how even a silly little song can be great fun. There's also a great version of "Don't Pass me By" on that CD .. a song which I've heard a few Jug Bands take up quite nicely.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST,Auggie
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 10:40 AM

"When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now those days are gone, I'm not so self-assured.
Now I find, I've changed my mind, I've opened up the door.

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before."

Not much in popular music in the mid-1960's spoke to me like this did.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 10:58 AM

I read the news today oh boy
Four thousand holes in Blackburn Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall - from "A day In The Life"

She's not a girl who misses much,
Do do do do do do do Oh yeah
She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand
Like a lizard on a window pane
The man in the crowd with the multicolored mirrors on his hob-nail boots
Lying with his eyes while his hands are busy working over-time
A soap impression of his wife which he ate and donated to the National Trust - from "Happiness Is A Warm Gun"

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
It's getting hard to be someone but it all works out, it doesn't matter much to me.
Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields.
Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about.
Strawberry Fields forever. - from "Strawberry Fields Forever"

Yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog's eye
Crabalocker fishwife pornographic priestess
Boy you been a naughty girl
You let your knickers down
I am the eggman, they are the eggmen
I am the walrus. - from "I Am The Walrus"

He bag production he got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard he one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease
Come together right now over me - from "Come Together"

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 11:43 AM

Those are some examples of classic Lennon! Beautiful!

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Mrrzy
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 11:47 AM

The again there is Why don't we do it in the road, why don't we do it in the road, no one will be watching us, why don't we do it in the road...

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 11:52 AM

Ebbie,

I'm a bit concerned over something you said about "Yesterday," a song that was recorded right in the middle of the Beatles' heyday, NOT after their breakup:

"...that song and the songs that individual Beatles members recorded later not have the Beatles sound. "

I get the impression that once you heard (and disliked) the band's earliest pop recordings, you figured you knew all about them and their "sound," and stopped listening. I'm not criticizing -- I have the same attitude myself about whole genres of the stuff being turned out today by and for the younger generation.

However: The Beatles spent quite a few years in the public eye, during which they went through plenty of significant changes, musical and otherwise, and they produced lots of noteworthy pieces after they transcended and abandoned that original "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" sound.

Most of the lyrics cited in this thread come from the later 60-80% of their oeuvre, starting from about the time of "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" (yeah, I know, that was a US-only release) through "Rubber Soul," "Revolver," "Sgt. Pepper," and beyond. By the time they quit, this latter-day stuff -- which did "not have the Beatles sound" of their early days -- represented the lion's share of their legacy.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:22 PM

Some great lyrics there, I grant you. There are several songs given above that I want to check out.

Part of the reason that I turned off toward the whole Beatles phenomenon is the mindset that accompanied it. For instance, I was a big Elvis fan- sang all his songs, collected his records- but I never went to see him in concert even though he came to Portland Oregon several times. There was no way I was going to be part of that screaming, fainting, frantic audience.

Incidentally, in 1964 I was 29 years old.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:38 PM

...the lyrics to "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" were penned by McCartney, and while he could fashion great lyrics on occasion, he occasionally succumbed to bananlity, as in this later lyric after the Beatles broke up:

"Someone's knockin' at the door
Someone's ringing a bell
Someone's knocking at the door
Open the door, let 'em in." - from an insipid McCartney/Wings tune

Or

"Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs
What's wrong with that, I'd like to know
'Cause here I go, again." - from another insipid McCartney tune

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:50 PM

I don't think age had too much to do with it. If there was a "right" age, I suppose around the same age as the lads themselves would be it.

I'm astonished no one has mentioned Eleanor Rigby. I'd find it hard to imagine how anyone could not see that as a great song.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:53 PM

Steve Parkes put his finger on the button - they were Ground-Breakers Ebbie. I recall very clearly their first TV appearance here in the UK (prior to which they were completely unknown outside the Liverpool area and Hamburg) and trust me lass, it was a mind-altering moment! A sound and a look that were light-years away from the kind of stuff we'd been fed for the previous six or seven years, it was far more than a breath of freah air - more like a gale!

And f***kin' hell, they were British!! At last, a raw exciting band to compete with the overproduced, slushy, bathed-in-echo dross we'd had for so long. It wasn't anything to do with their writing initially, that came later - it was just the raw, earthy, vibrant sound and the unique 'look' that we all went for.

The day 'She Loves You' was released I bought the record, and my band and I learned it that evening and played it at the gig we did the next night - I can't remember how many times we played it by request, but it was getting into double figures.

I was 16. You had to be there.

SJ :0)

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GLoux
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 12:53 PM

Alba included Eleanor Rigby right after my earlier post on this thread...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Amos
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 02:14 PM

SJ:

I hear ya. It was the opening of a new door, a place we had yearned to go for years, but Connie Francis and Pat Boone kept getting in our way!! :D


A

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GLoux
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 03:18 PM

I am continually more and more impressed by George's work; every one of his songs is completely diferent from any other, of his or anyone's.

With the obvious exception being My Sweet Lord. Remember the stink about the similarity to He's So Fine?

Still can't believe he's gone...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 03:53 PM

Yeah, well, I suppose I just have to contend that "My Sweet Lord" is just the exception that proves the rule.

Anmyone who loves George should make it a point to buy, rent, borrow, or steal a copy of the DVD "Concert for George." An all-star cast of George's musical friends convened at the Royal Albert Hall for a memorial concert on the one-year anniversary of his death.

There are two disks in the box, one of the entire concert exactly as it occurred live in "real time," beginning with a lengthy full-orchestral Indian music concert written by Ravi Shankar and conducted by his lovely daughter, followed by performances of Geroge's entire R&R catalog by Eric Clapton, various Travelling Wilburys, Paul & Ringo, and many more.

The second disk presents the same concert as edited for theatrical release. Songs appear in a different order, much of the Indian music is omitted, and the rock stuff is presented with intermittent interviews, rehearsal sequences, etc. Those who love George and his music should enjoy watching both disks over and over.

George's son Dani, by the way -- who plays rhythm on an oversized acoustic guitar throughout the concert -- looks *exactly* like his dad at age 19 or 20 or so.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 04:13 PM

Agree PoppaGator I've not seen the DVD but the concert was on television and it was excellent, brought tears to your eyes, and yes Dani looked just like his Dad.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Ooh-Aah2
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 05:29 PM

This age thing is crazy - in 1964 I was -7 years old (B.1971, a year too late, damn!) Between the age of 12-29 the Beatles were my absolute mainstay, apart from classical and medieval - it was then I discovered folk. The Beatles merging of excellent lyrics with glorious music is the thing that makes them so special, as well as their sheer variety. Their version of 'Long Tall Sally' has to be one of the most scorching recordings of a rock classic ever recorded, and then you have 'Julia', almost Japanese in its subtlety and delicacy - you have straightforwad lust in 'I Want You'(I want you/ I want you so bad / I want you so bad, it's driving me mad, it's driving me mad!' etc, with infinite variatons in nuance and emotional pitch) to the most exquisite tenderness in 'Here there and everywhere' (Here/ making each day of the year/Changing my life with a wave of her hand -There/ knowing to love is to share). As to the nasty male chauvinist lyrics mentioned I think they only add to the Beatles overall strength - they explored every aspect to love in their lyrics, from violent posessiveness to selfless sacrifice.
As you can see, I've still got it bad!

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: KT
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 10:19 PM

Laura mentioned a quote from "We Can Work It Out." A few years back, I was traveling in Prague. There was a little disagreement going on between some of the traveling companions when we came upon the John Lennon Wall. This is a stone wall filled with quotes from John's songs, illustrations and thoughts about peace, in grafitti - like fashion.

As we approached the wall, these words jumped out at me.

"Life is very short, and there's no time, for fussing and fighting my friend."

Disagreement was immediately abandoned. Those words spoke to me back in the sixties, and a few years back in Prague. Still do.

KT

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: KT
Date: 29 Oct 04 - 10:21 PM

BTW, anyone interested in learning more about the wall, a simple Google search will give you LOTS of info. It's an interesting story.
KT

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Snuffy
Date: 31 Oct 04 - 05:12 AM

Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon her head
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer made sure that she was dead

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Genie
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 12:44 AM

I think the lyrics to "Yesterday" are perfect. They are deceptively simple. They express a timeless sentiment in a few words, no more complicated or ornate than is needed, and perfectly wedded to the melody and meter of the song.   The tight rhymes don't smack you in the face because the statements are natural and not the least bit contrived.

It's not every day you find a song so expertly crafted.


I also think McCartney's lyrics to "When I'm Sixty-Four" are pretty nifty.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: clueless don
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 08:50 AM

Ebbie, I'm one of those people who were 14 in 1964. I got caught up in the Beatles popularity in their early days, but later on they weren't a particular favorite. In the classic "Which do you prefer, the Beatles or the Stones?" debate, I would make the third choice - the Who.

But in later life I have come to appreciate some of the Beatles output that I missed the first time around. And now, thanks to a Sunday morning syndicated radio show called "Beatles Brunch", my 8 year old daughter is becoming a big Beatles fan!

I want to echo Genie's endorsement of "When I'm Sixty-Four". I suppose that would be called a "novelty song", but I always enjoyed novelty songs!

And for a simple, joyful song about new love, I like "I've Just Seen a Face".

Don

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 11:27 AM

Ebbie,
I was born in '66, not old enbough to fully comprehend anything in the music world for quite a few years. The first song I can really remmeber hearing on the radio was "Hey Jude". I've been hooked ever since. I have the compilation of the Beatles which is supposed to be complete. Yes there are silly songs, songs that almost make no sense unless your stoned (which they probably were when they wrote them)and others as described. The thing that made the beatles great was that they had no "signature sound" You never knew what would come next.

One of my faves:

Her Majestys' a pretty nice girl,
But she hasn't got alot to say
Her Majestys' a pretty nice girl
She changes from day to day
I want to tell her that I love her alot
but I've got to get a belly full of wine
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl
Someday I'm gonna make her mine, oh yeah,
Someday I'm gonna make her mine

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 11:39 AM

Happiness is a warm gun

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 10:53 PM

As someone born in 1987 -yes, read it again, no typo, 1987!!- i have a deep sense of love and admiration for the Beatles' music, which i think testifies to its timeless quality. I know people in their eighties and people who have yet to reach double figures who love THe Beatles

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 10:59 PM

Sorry..pressed button by accident..continuing..

So, i think it's a matter of taste rather than age. As i've said before, i think the attraction of the Beatles is in their 'sound', not the music or lyrics in isolation. You either like them, or you don't, and there's nothing to criticise about either point of view :0)

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: mousethief
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 02:04 AM

I was born in 1961 and the first song I ever memorized was "Yesterday" at about 4 or 5 years of age. I cut my teeth on Beatles soundtrack albums my mom bought -- Hard Day's Night, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine.

Then for a time I rather ignored the Beatles and they ignored me.

In high school I rediscovered the Beatles and have been a die-hard fan ever since. I even wrote a song about John Lennon on the day he died.

Best lyrics? Most of them have already been mentioned. But here's one nobody has mentioned.

When I was in college, I used to make buttons (the kind like political buttons) (i had a button fall apart and would just write or draw something on a piece of paper and shove the two parts back together and voila! i had a button) and and wear them around. I worked at a campus eatery and one day I had a button on it that had some lyrics from a Lennon song.

The sun is up
The sky is blue
It's beautiful
And so are you.

and I drew a rainbow or something on it as well.

A lady in line saw it and said, "That's nice, who wrote that?"

I said, "John Lennon."

She made a face and turned away.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 02:12 AM

She made a face and turned away? That's horrible!

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: Ooh-Aah2
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 02:25 AM

Bloody horrible. Who but a right wing loony could hate John?

On a lighter note "Here Comes The Sun" has to be the one I love the most - I simply can't listen to it without my heart lifting - but if I wrote down the lyrics they would seem trite (apart from the elegant matching of 'It seems like years since it's been here/ It seems like years since it's been clear') It's the combination of music and lyrics and music that makes a song great.

Sun sun sun here he comes!
Sun sun sun here he comes!
Sun sun sun here he comes!

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 02:28 AM

Don't look like much when written, but when sung in those beautiful harmonies... amazing!

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: alanabit
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 02:44 AM

It is also worth noting that The Beatles were superb parodists. Their spoof of The Beach Boys and Chuck Berry on "Back in the USSR" was perfect and the Phil Spector take off at the end of "Happiness is a Warm Gun" is immortal. Only The Beatles would have had the nerve to attempt those psuedo dramatic do wop harmonies with Lennon doing the the absurd talkover, "When I hold you in my arms/And I feel my finger on your trigger/ Then I know nobody can do me no harm..."      
That is absolute mastery of the pop genres - and it's very funny to boot.

Subject: RE: Examples of Beatles Lyrics
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 12:11 PM

If that lady were in the lunch line maybe it should have said
"Give Peas A Chance!"

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by The Beatles
From: GUEST,wotcha
Date: 20 Sep 14 - 11:16 PM

When I visited Cornwall back in 99, BAZ (not sure what name he goes by now) introduced me to a Cornish acapella version (sung in deep clotted cream accents) of "I've just seen a face." Even if you are not a fan, this version was terrific -- wish I knew the group was but the sound has stayed with me since.

Cheers,

Wotcha