Why We Love The Beatles (v2) 35 of 100

The 16/17 October 1968 were a very busy period. Paul and John, plus George Martin sequenced the mass of songs for the new album: The Beatles, soon to be known of course as The White Album. Perhaps there is material which should never have made it to the cut; George Martin in particular wanted a classic one disc album. And commercially that is no doubt correct. But for those of us willing to listen beyond just a popular tune, the full motley range is invaluable. Disc One/Side 1 of the magnum opus contains 8 songs:

Back in the USSR. A marvellous rocker which is still an essential part of Sir Paul’s current play-lists. Dear Prudence, a message to Mia Farrow’s sister and missing Ringo, Paul doing the necessary drum work; it illustrates the new skill of finger picking which Donovan introduced to the lads while in India. Glass Onion, a song with a whole lot less meaning than we may have been seduced into interpreting; John was messing with fans and over-analytical interpretation. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da: Paul doing what he can do so easily and his buddies fed up with him for doing so; the most commercial track which the Beatles didn’t use but a group The Marmalade did, taking them to a number 1 slot. Wild Honey Pie. Bungalow Bill. While my Guitar Gently Weeps. Eric Clapton helps to reduce the heaviness of a lovely track which was to predict much of George's solo style and the end of the 'pop' song. Happiness is a Warm Gun. Dark, multi-layered and with lyrics grabbed from taxi conversations and gun owner magazines. A heck of a track and unusually for this album needed considerable effort from all four Beatles.

The Back-Story

Reason 1: Story-tellers; 2: Sgt. Pepper; 3: Eternally optimistic; 4: Still cool; 5: George Harrison.; 6: Love Me Do

7: Work Ethic ;8: Synchronicity; 9: The Roof-top Concert; 10: Candlestick Park; 11: Lennon & McCartney

12: I Saw Her Standing There; 13: Liverpool; 14: Black & White; 15: Album Covers; 16: John Lennon

17: Lennon & McCartney; 18: Rock 'n Roll; 19: They Never Made it Easy; 20: Ringo

21: Meditation & Massage; 22: The Back of a Commer Van; 23: George Martin.

24: Simply Different

25: A Time to Think

26: Revolver

27: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

28: The B Side

29: The Philosophy