‘Ticket to Ride,’ another John Lennon triumph from the Help! album, is by all objective measures a wonderful song. But I’m still struck by the uncanny appeal it seems to have for children.
OK, I’m generalizing… my sample size is admittedly small — my own two children and my nephew. But of all the great Beatles songs, including such blatantly kid-friendly fare as ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘Octopus’s Garden,’ why would this tune strike such a nerve with my little ones?
Last week I suggested that Revolver is a “Paul album” ‐ that is, the balance of the great songs on it were written by Paul McCartney. This week it’s John Lennon’s turn, and the “John album” I’m highlighting is The Beatles’ fifth record, Help!.
Help! was the band’s second soundtrack album, following A Hard Day’s Night, and while it isn’t the equal of that classic it doesn’t fall too short. I consider it probably the most underrated album in The Beatles’ discography. Not that it’s bashed, really, but you just never hear it come up in discussions of the band’s best work… it’s lost in a sea of Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road.
‘Here, There and Everywhere’ is probably my favorite track on Revolver, but giving it a run for its money is another Paul McCartney tune, ‘For No One.’ This song is the flip side of ‘Here, There and Everywhere,’ as sad and resigned as that song is buoyant. It’s a song about the pain that lingers long after a breakup… the little ache that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. As Paul puts it, “There will be times when all the things she said will fill your head. You won’t forget her.”
I find that most Beatles albums favor either Lennon or McCartney. Although they share songwriting credit on all their songs the true author of each is well-known, and whether by design or accident their best work seemed to come in clumps.
Of course I’m talking about matters of degree here, as both John and Paul had classic songs on every Beatles album. Also, my favorites might not be everybody’s favorites and some people no doubt think of my “Paul” albums as “John” albums and vice versa. So sound off in the comments if you think I’m nuts.
I’m sticking with the “quiet Beatle” this weekend.
George Harrison wrote 22 of The Beatles’ 200+ songs and they run the gamut from totally forgettable (‘Blue Jay Way’) to some of the best songs in the catalog (‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps,’ ‘Here Comes the Sun’). He introduced the sitar into the band’s tool kit, putting it to good use on his own ‘Within You Without You’ and ‘The Inner Light’ and making John’s ‘Norwegian Wood‘ possible.
