I recently wrote that I’d like to feature more Beatles music this year, and I guess the Random iTunes Fairy was listening. Today she’s offering up the opening track of the band’s classic 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
While Pepper is an iconic release and one of The Beatles’ top-selling albums, it sits pretty low on my personal list. Of course, this being The Beatles, that means the album still features several all-time classic songs, including ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,’ ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ and ‘A Day in the Life.’
I’m also a big fan of today’s song, as well as the reprise version included toward the end of the album. It takes quite the musical journey in just two minutes, perfectly setting the table for the concept album to come.
It was twenty years ago today
When Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play
They’ve been going in and out of style
But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile
So may I introduce to you
The act you’ve known for all these years
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
[Chorus: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, & Ringo Starr]
We’re Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
We hope you will enjoy the show
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sit back and let the evening go
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
[Bridge: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, & George Harrison]
It’s wonderful to be here
It’s certainly a thrill
You’re such a lovely audience
We’d like to take you home with us
We’d love to take you home
[Verse 2: Paul McCartney]
I don’t really want to stop the show
But I thought you might like to know
That the singer’s going to sing a song
And he wants you all to sing along
So let me introduce to you
The one and only Billy Shears
And Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Meet Me In Montauk 
There are certainly some weaker songs on this album, but the high points are higher than the lows and as good or better than anything else the Beatles have done.