Ranking The Beatles

Jonathan and Julia Pretus

Musician and self-described Beatles fanatic Jonathan Pretus ranked the entire recorded catalog of the Beatles, because he's a big, big nerd. Then he decided to make a podcast to talk with other people and learn about their connection with The Beatles' music.

Tune in as Jonathan and his guests, joined by his co-host/wife Julia (a more level-headed, casual fan) discuss the rankings, what they think makes each song so great (or not-so-great), and see if it really is a fool's errand to try and rank the music of the greatest band of all time.

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160 episodes
Updated July 3

Episodes160

Newest first

Apr 25, 2023 · 1 hr 28 min
#119 - I Call Your Name with guest Jude Kessler (author, "The John Lennon Series")
What was originally a song given away to fellow Liverpudlian singer Billy J. Kramer, "I Call Your Name" is claimed to be one of John's earliest song attempts, pre-dating the Beatles when he was first learning to play guitar. The song was spruced up with Paul for Kramer, but then reclaimed by the Beatles in early 1964 in consideration for songs for A Hard Day's Night. That plan fell by the wayside, but the track found its' home on the Long Tall Sally EP and The Beatles Second Album in the US, though managed to stay somewhat of an obscurity, as far as Beatles songs go at least. However, that doesn't prevent it from being an ripping, if not adventurous slice of music from the boys. For such an early song, it goes to some interesting places melodically, showing John possessed his knack for songwriting at an early age. It features some fantastic 12 string work George, though he's still getting comfortable with the instrument. It's a song about being absolutely devastated by loss, to a point of not even being able to cry, and if the timing is correct as John claims, it seems like it may be about something really, really hurtful from his past. It's all held together by a phenomenal vocal performance from John, hitting the peak his of his early phase vocals. Then of course, there's that rhythm change in the solo, an imaginative, experimental move the band had never tried, completely out of left field. It's a fantastic song and recording, as evidenced by the fact that it was covered contemporaneously by acts like The Mamas & The Papas and The Buckinghams, among others. When we need to get deep on John, few are better to speak on it than Jude Kessler, author of the on-going 9 volume "The John Lennon Series." She's been researching Lennon's life since the 80s, and her books are becoming known to be the benchmark for deep diving on John and his history and what makes him tick. Plus we just like talking to her because she's incredibly nice! She's released 5 of the 9 volumes so far, and the audiobook for the 3rd volume, "She Loves You," is out now! Check it all out and get a copy at thejohnlennonseries.com! We chat with Jude about the Fest for Beatles Fans, John's family life, Beatle b-sides and so much more! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@rankingthebeatles, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠@rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠rankingthebeatles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Apr 4, 2023 · 50 min
#120 - All Together Now with guest Madeline Bocaro (author, "In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono")
After almost a half a year of intense work on the Sgt. Pepper album, it's hardly surprising that, though there was plenty of work to be done for future endeavors, the Beatles were looking to blow off some steam and take things a little bit lighter. "All Together Now," a song that even by Paul's own admission is pretty slight in the grand scheme of things, certainly fits that bill. It eventually found its' home in the Yellow Submarine film and accompanying soundtrack. In the film, it's the finale, when we finally get a glimpse of the real life Fabs, looking different than their cartoon counterpoints, not quite Beatlemania, but not quite the longhair, bearded phase they'd be into after the film. It's a weird, inbetween phase, highlighted by John's brilliant mutton chops. But musically, it's just a blast of simple, pure joy...nothing more, nothing less. Driving acoustic guitars, hand claps, harmonicas, honking horns, and a call and response vocal of what's essentially nonsensical children's song lyrics are all the ingredients of what's basically musical ice cream...no real nutritional value, but boy is it delicious. This is a song that always puts a smile on my face and makes me move, regardless of the mood I'm in. The Beatles can be all things to all people, and one of the things I genuinely appreciate about them is the fun they can bring, and this is one of my favorite examples of that. I think I may be in the minority on here, but it's my list, so hate on, haters!! :) Joining us this week is author Madeline Bocaro, author of "In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono." Having been a fan of Yoko from before she was with John, Madeline's been working towards this book for years. She tracks Yoko's life and journey through her artwork and music, delivering a fantastic book that is best described (at least in our conversation) as hitting the imaginary nail on the imaginary head. You can get a copy at conceptualbooks.com or any of your usual bookstores, and follow her blog at https://madelinex.com/. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@rankingthebeatles, or ⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠@rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠rankingthebeatles.com⁠⁠⁠! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Mar 30, 2023 · 1 hr 8 min
#121 I'll Follow The Sun with guest Julie Elody
In the fall of 1964 as the Beatles began working on what would become their 4th album, Beatles for Sale, it was only a couple of months after their 3rd album hit stores. They'd been constantly touring, making their first feature film, recording BBC sessions, essentially going non-stop. Time for songwriting was becoming precious and hard to find, so consequently, they started looking back at more of their favorite covers and originals that had been pushed to the back burner. One of those was Paul's "I'll Follow The Sun," a song with origins that traced all the way back to 1958. What was originally a bit of a jauntier song was transformed into an introspective, folksy ballad, given some lyrical tweaks and a fresh arrangement, and turned into a really beautiful moment on an album that often gets overlooked. It provides somewhat of a throughline for Paul's love of ballads and more tender material, a throughline that starts with their first album and continues all the way through to today. And for a song that he wrote when he was 16...it's pretty darn beautiful. If it loses any points, it's not its' own fault, its just part of such a storied song catalog of songs written by a more learned songwriter. But what a melody. Don't sleep on this one. Joining us this week is New Orleans-based alt-pop musician and songwriter Julie Elody! After finding some initial success with her college band, she's now working solo, collaborating with producers and artists from around the world. She's recently released a couple of new singles, the gorgeous "Hate Myself," and most recently, "Get Fit," a banger about working out so that we can eat all the chips and good food we actually want to eat. We talk with Julie about how the Beatles impact her coming from a pop perspective, not growing up with a ton of Beatles, ungooglable band names, the damage of pep band arrangements of Beatles songs, and more! Check out her music at www.julieelody.com, and follow her on Instagram @julieelody. You can also catch Jonathan's recent appearance on her Tub Talk Tuesday here! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠@rankingthebeatles, or ⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠@rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit ⁠⁠rankingthebeatles.com⁠⁠! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Mar 21, 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
#122 - Please Mr. Postman with guests Blotto Beatles
The Beatles' love of r&b, Motown, and especially Smokey Robinson are no secret. They were such fans, their 2nd album, 1963's With The Beatles featured 3 motown covers, including "Please Mr. Postman," originally by the Marvellettes, and the first chart topping single for the Motown label. While it wasn't as big a hit in the UK, it was a hit with the Beatles, who added it to their set as early as December 1961. By the time they were working on their second album, they had turned it into a scorching, passionate tune, with one of John's finest early vocals, great backing vocals from Paul and George, and as always, rock solid support from Ringo. Their love of the material shines through, making for one of my favorite Beatles cover songs of the early era. It's just got...that thing. We're excited to team up with our OG podpals for this episode! Those boys from Beantown are back, Becker, Tommy, Scotty C., and RB, the crew behind Blotto Beatles, the best ranking-while-drinking-Beatles podcast around! We love hanging and chatting with this crew, it's always a blast. We finally meet RB, the newest Blotto, and talk about his Beatle journey, Motown songs, Beatle covers good and bad, Blotto episode titles, and so much more! Be sure to listen to Blotto Beatles anywhere you get podcasts, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and at blottobeatles.com for all things Blotto (incl. great merch!) What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram ⁠@rankingthebeatles, or ⁠Twitter ⁠@rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit ⁠rankingthebeatles.com⁠! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Mar 14, 2023 · 1 hr 2 min
#123 - She's Leaving Home with guest Olivia Nilsson (Harry Nilsson's daughter)
Lennon and McCartney were masters at finding inspiration all around them, not just from their own personal lives. On the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, John was inspired by a poster in his house and wrote "Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite." Paul found inspiration in reading a news story about a young teenage runaway, and turned that into the harp and string-laden drama ballad "She's Leaving Home." Another of those great Macca Mind Movies where the story is so vivid you not only can see it in your mind's eye, but you sympathize with the characters in the song. It's a song that often gets overlooked, as it's surrounded by so many big hitters on the album, but it's an absolutely gorgeous tune. Joining us this week is Olivia Nilsson, daughter of the late, great Harry Nilsson, who was so taken by "She's Leaving Home," he recorded his own version of it just days after the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. With a gorgeous horn arrangement and spotlighting Harry's brilliant vocal range, his version has always been one of our favorites in his catalog. Olivia runs the fantastic Nilsson social media accounts, where she shares stories of her dad, histories of songs, and behind the scenes tales all with a much more personal touch than one would normally find from an artist, especially a legacy artist. She's instrumental in the ongoing resurgence in the interest in Harry's music, and a fantastic guard of his legacy. We talk building her dad's legacy, his Forrest Gump-ian career, mutual inspiration between Harry and the Beatles, his cover of She's Leaving Home, and much more! Be sure to follow on Instagram at @officialnilsson, TikTok at @theofficialnilsson, or on Twitter at @officialnilsson to see what she's sharing! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Mar 7, 2023 · 57 min
#124 - I Wanna Be Your Man with guest Narada Wise (drummer, Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band)
From the moment he joined the band, Ringo's popularity meant he'd have a song or two to sing each night. This was a practice for The Beatles even when Pete Best was in the band, but once things really took off, and Lennon and McCartney were becoming more solidified songwriters, they knew it'd be good to have an original for Ringo to sing. "I Wanna Be Your Man" was written while the band was working on their second album, and according to some tellings, was written on the spot for a young, upstart band called The Rolling Stones, who were looking for a song that might be a hit. Whether it was written specifically for the Stones or for Ringo, it turned into Ringo's vocal turn on the With The Beatles album, and also provided the Stones with their first chart hit. It's a simple but effective rocker, a glimpse to what the band might've sounded like bashing it out in the Cavern, and it stuck in the band's live set all the way through the end of their touring days in 1966. It swings, it's fun, it's got a really cool turn around, and Ringo really goes for it vocally, which isn't what he usually does. Joining us this week is Narada Wise, an Ohio-based drummer who plays with New Orleans-based kirtan band Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band. We talk about just what kirtan music is, how Ringo influences Narada's playing even in a genre that's very different from the Beatles, the brilliance of Ringo, rock & roll lazers, and much more! Follow Narada and the band at www.seanjohnsonandthewildlotusband.com, check out their music, and see when they're coming to your town! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Feb 28, 2023 · 1 hr
#125 Fixing A Hole w/ guest Sonia Tetlow (singer, songwriter, musician)
Self-care isn't always something that gets prioritized when we're in our 20s. But the notion of taking the time to check in with yourself, to be mindful of the things going on around and inside of you seems to be something that Paul McCartney was tuned into in 1967. He credits this with the freedom to discover himself that he found through mind-expanding stimulants of the time, namely marijuana and LSD. "Fixing A Hole" is the result of this, a metaphorical look at taking personal stock and learning to look after one's self. It's an interesting tune that doesn't really sound like anything else on Sgt. Pepper, it's not overtly psychedelic, and personally, it's a bit of a sleeper for me. A sleeper in that I seem to forget about it but when it pops up I remember how lovely it is. There's some interesting questions about it too...did Mal Evans get a co-write on it? Did John really play bass? How did George get that rad guitar tone?? Joining us this week is the wonderful Sonia Tetlow, an Atlanta, GA-based singer/songwriter by way of New Orleans. She's got a fantastic new solo album out, "Better Days," which Jonathan played guitar on, and features previous RTB guests Andre Bohren and Paul Sanchez. We talk about what it takes to make a really great record, a mysterious Beatles song Sonia doesn't like, and much much more! Follow Sonia on Facebook, and you can stream "Better Days" anywhere you stream quality music, or download it or buy it on CD through her Bandcamp! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Dec 28, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
#126 - Mother Nature's Son with guest Susan Shumsky (author "The Inner Light: How India Influenced the Beatles")
Originally sketched out in a notebook of song ideas started in Rishikesh, Paul's "Mother Nature's Son" is part of a trifecta of White Album songs where he emerges as fully formed solo artist, the only Beatle on the track. It's a beautiful acoustic-based song about the solitude and peace one finds in nature. Featuring a nice bit of Nilsson-influenced brass, it provides fantastic imagery and scenery, another of those great Beatle mind movies. And to my ears, it's also a LOT more autobiographical than it gets credit for. Paul had been somewhat isolated from the other 3 Beatles for a few years, socially, living in the city area of London, while the other three relocated to the stockbroker belt. The others took to LSD long before he did. He left India before John and George. In a lot of ways, he kind of HAD to become a self-contained solo artist to get out all the creativity he had inside him because he didn't have his partners around him as much. Maybe this poor young country boy is more telling of a track than we realize? Regardless, it's certainly one of his more beautiful acoustic tracks that he can just churn out so easily. This one feels so effortless and delicate and unguarded, in a way a lot of these songs don't for him. Joining us this week for our 90th episode, and our season finale, is Dr. Susan Shumsky. Her new book is called The Inner Light: How India Influenced the Beatles. It's a topic she knows a thing or two about, as she spent several decades under the mentorship of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and has spent years teaching thousands of people meditation. We chat with Dr. Susan about her own experiences with Maharishi, his thoughts on the White Album, Paul being more of an open book than we realize, and much much more! Grab a copy of her fantastic book (we read it on vacation shortly after taping, it's great) at your local bookstore or online at drsusan.org. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Dec 20, 2022 · 1 hr 35 min
#127 - Not Guilty with guest Sam Whiles (host of "Paul or Nothing")
"We made a mistake," said John. "We thought there was more to him than there was, you know?" said Paul. After their stay in Rishikesh ended, the Beatles' overall disillusionment with the Maharishi lead to John and Paul publicly distancing themselves from the Eastern philosophy and path to enlightenment that George had lead them all to pursue. And while the unit a whole distanced themselves, marking the end of that phase for the group, George continued his practice and involvement for the rest of life. He felt the group viewed him at fault for they saw as public embarrassment, but in his mind, they were free to make any choices they wanted, and to follow any path they chose. It wasn't his fault. And thus was born "Not Guilty," a song recorded during the summer of '68 for the White Album. The band spent more time on "Not Guilty" than any other song in their recorded catalog, and after all that work, it was left in the archives until the Anthology project in the 1990s. George re-recorded it in the late 70s for his self-titled solo album, albeit in a much mellower version. The Beatles version though seethes in a moody, angry way. George's fully self-referential lyrical style is on display, singing a song about something obviously very personal, maybe almost too much so though. It's a much darker, heavier song than The Beatles typically are known for, with some interesting instrumental and arrangement choices, leading them to spend over 100 takes trying to get the track right. But everyone comes to play here. John's harpsichord track moves things into a kind of demented carnival territory, with George adding a sublime, almost detached lead vocal, and a stabbing electric guitar part. Ringo gives a dynamic, grooving part, while Paul provides one of the coolest bass parts he ever laid down. Maybe John and Paul weren't comfortable with letting George be the one to air the dirty laundry at this point, but to me, leaving this song off the White Album was a rare mistake in their catalogue. It makes the album a bit more of a rocking album, and shows another side of the band musically. We're always pleased to catch up with this week's guest, our old pal Sam Whiles. Sam hosts the brilliant podcast "Paul Or Nothing," the place to get all Paul, all the time. We chat about George's knack for pointing the finger at others, whether this should've been on the White album, George solo albums, and we talk a good bit of smack about other Beatle podcasts (all joking of course!). Check out Paul or Nothing anywhere you get your podcasts! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Dec 6, 2022 · 1 hr 41 min
#128 - Baby You're A Rich Man with guest James C., host of The Oasis Podcast
They say there's no rest for the wicked, but throughout the 60s, there was often no rest for the Beatles. As soon as work was done on the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, they began working on more songs with an eye towards the recently-contracted-Yellow Submarine film. Inspired by an acid-fuled evening spent at the 14 Hour Technicolor Dream and his immersion into the hippy scene of '67, John began working on a song called "One of the Beautiful People." At some point, he paired with a song fragment Paul had, possibly inspired by their want for manager Brian Epstein to start enjoying himself and some of the money they'd all made, and "Baby, You're A Rich Man" was born. One of the coolest grooves the Beatles (especially Ringo) ever laid to tape, the tune bounces from detached, light-hearted falsetto to a boisterous, joyous chant of the chorus, all held together with a musical equivalent of a mosquito in flight, John's performance on the clavoiline (possibly played with an orange?), an instrument that was lying around Olympic Sound Studios, the studio the band was recording in on that evening. It's an absolute jam of a track, and incredibly fun, but the track maybe hiding that fact that the song itself is maybe lacking a bit in substance. Joining us this week is our old pal James C., host of The Oasis Podcast. He recently undertook the ill-advised task of ranking the entire catalogue of Oasis, as well as the Gallagher bros post-Oasis work. We wanted to compare notes on how we each went about our rankings, and what we took from it. Of course, I'm always up to talk about Oasis, as they're one of my other favorite bands. We touch on all kinds of things like musical and emotional growth (or lack thereof), memories triggered by music, and the difference between American and British podcast guests. Check out his brilliant Oasis Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts about Oasis! Trigger Warning: in regards to a long-held rumor about a lyrical variation on this song supposedly sung by John about Brian Epstein, we do discuss the cultural differences between the F-word, and the word is mentioned in that conversation, but purely in a contextual sense. If you'd rather skip this discussion, it starts at an hour and 3 minutes in, and lasts for about 6 minutes, feel free to skip ahead, and know that in no way do we condone or support hate speech or language of that type. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Nov 29, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
#129 - Things We Said Today with guest Laurie Jacobson (author, "Top of the Mountain: The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965")
Paul McCartney seems to always have a fondness for looking through time. He looks to older age in songs like "When I'm 64," too his own passing in "The End of The End" from Memory Almost Full. He presents quasi case studies in the music of yesteryear with songs like "Honey Pie" or "Your Gave Me The Answer." With "Things We Said Today," he's looking to the future to look at the present, thinking that one day, what he's experiencing NOW will be but a memory. Or something like that. That's how he explains it at least, and who am I to argue? Presented on the back half of A Hard Day's Night, "Things We Said Today" is a somber look at a relationship he already seems to know may not last. Its driven by an energetic acoustic guitar and a fantastic McCartney melody with some nice chord movements. Additionally, being an acoustic based, up-tempo, minor key song, it stands out on an album that's pretty filled up with John-dominated rockers as a song with a bit of sophistication. And while it's definitely a really good song, I don't necessarily think it's a great one. It seems to serve as a blue print for things Paul would go on to do better in the coming years, and as such, I don't find myself thinking of it all that often. When I do though, I definitely enjoy it, it just feels like....it's a bit lighter than I remember it? Joining us this week is author and Hollywood Historian Laurie Jacobson. Her newest book, Top of the Mountain: The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965 is a fantastic recounting of the entire journey of the concert event that changed live music, as told from interviews with people who helped put the show on, performers on the bill, and people in the audience, many of whom are now well known figures. We can't recommend it enough, it's a great read! We talk about Shea, seeing the Beatles live, nightly Beatle rituals, and also, I had a cold when we recorded this, so apologies if my voice is a bit scratchy at times. The show must go on as they say. Grab a copy of Laurie's book at lauriejacobson.com or anywhere you get good books! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Nov 22, 2022 · 1 hr 38 min
#130 - Revolution 9 with guest James Campion (author, TAKE A SAD SONG… The Emotional Currency of “Hey Jude”)
Hindsight being what it is, one can only imagine the reaction listeners had when they first reached the back half of side 4 of the White Album in November 68, and the sounds of "Revolution 9" came out of their stereos for the first time. While adjectives such as "bewilderment" or "confusion" probably are safe bets, The Beatles had been sowing seeds of avant-garde & outside influence in their music since they introduced the sitar on Norwegian Wood in 1965, moving to tape loops and backwards tracks and exploratory (if not self-indulgent) recording techniques on Revolver, Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery tour, and they'd been nothing if not progressive since day 1. All of them had experimented in making their own home-studio recordings of weirdness, and while they hadn't completely committed to putting out something like this in a traditional commercial sense, once John had Yoko's encouragement to stretch out to new artistic horizons, all bets were off. He was staying true to his art and following his muse, and Beatle fans were invited to come along for the ride. Our first taste of this is "Revolution 9," an 8 minute plus journey through playful and terrifying soundscapes, spoken word, and tape loops, with roots from the original extended take of "Revolution 1." The final product is a auditory journey through John's idea of the sonics of actual revolution: chaos, explosions, backwards sounds, eerie melodies, screaming, stereo spectrum panning creating a dizzying effect. Over 40 loops pass through the tape heads at EMI's Abbey Road studios, each faded in and out of the track in real time by John, with help from Yoko and George. It's truly a one-of-a-kind performance, using the studio as an instrument, both musical and one of chaos. And while it may have caused many listeners to ask "why?," if you look beyond the obvious, there's more important questions to ask, and more joy to be discovered. Why would an artist who's work I so admire put out something I don't get? Why don't I get it? What are my expectations, and are they fair to the artist? The more time you spend with a track like this, the more you can start to see those things and begin to appreciate the track. I, for one, appreciate that this is maybe the only song that you can never hear the same way twice. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but in a song. I also like that it's essentially a non-visual soundtrack. You can listen to it and picture every element of it in your head, all are total mysteries until you imagine what's passing through your eardrums. And to add to it all, they've dropped this slice of musique concrete on a pop album that ended up in like, 30 million homes. Arguably one of the boldest and bravest artistic moves ever. The Beatles could be absolutely fearless, and what sums that up more than this? Coming back to chat with us this week is James Campion, author of the book Take A Sad Song: The Emotional Currency of Hey Jude. We had such a good time talking "Revolution 1," we had to have him back for #9! We dive deep into topics like what constitutes art, being true to yourself, Stockhausen, and more. This is one of our favorite chats yet! Grab a copy of "Take A Sad Song" anywhere you get books, or order one through jamescampion.com and he'll even sign it for you! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to visit rankingthebeatles.com! Wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Nov 15, 2022 · 56 min
#131 - I Me Mine with guest Micah McKee (singer, songwriter)
It only took a few days of the Get Back project for George to lose any real optimism he may have entered it with. Malaise, indecision, and ego had been building for a while, and as they took root in the project, George took to pen to put down his feelings towards his song-writing bandmates’ (and humanity in general’s) egos and selfishness, the minor key “I Me Mine.” In the end, the track only features the lineup that would go on in the 90s to be coined The Threetles, as John was on holiday and already had announced his intention for a divorce, but George, Paul and Ringo turn in a pretty great performance. While it could’ve been approached as little more than a loose end to tie up, they bring their A-game, from George’s lead guitar which moves from elegant acoustic to aggressive electric and his fantastic lead vocal performance, to Paul’s smart addition of the rock bridge, all held together by a really artful drum track from Ringo. It’s one that really hits the mark. Even Phil Spector doesn’t overstep the line here, making the right call in extending the arrangement, and not overdoing it with the orchestra and choir. Returning this week is our pal Micah McKee, singer/songwriter, and brains behind The Lonesome Wilde. Micah’s one of New Orleans’ more prolific songwriters, and his band’s new single “I’m Your Piano” is out now. He’s also the host of American 100, a podcast looking at the history of the Billboard top 100 charts. We touch on a number of points, from what made George his Beatle, the sadness of 69/70, our shared love of the New Orleans Pelicans, and whether or not I Me Mine was a warning to others about the failure of flower power the Summer of Love. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Nov 8, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
#132 - Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey with musician Kyle Melancon (drummer, Imagination Movers, ex-Dash Rip Rock)
By the time of Beatles for Sale at the end of '64, the band were exhausted, overworked, and for good reason. They'd been working nonstop for YEARS with a schedule that most artists would shudder at. While their previous album had been their first of all originals, this time, the tank was a bit lower than before, and the band had to revert back to covers they'd been doing since the Cavern and Hamburg days. Even though they may have been tired, they pulled out a fiery cover of Little Richard's version of "Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey", which was in fact a medley of "Kansas City" and a song of his own. In 1959, at one point there were 5 different covers of "Kansas City" on the Billboard charts. The fabs manage to turn in one of the more energetic moments on Beatles For Sale here. Paul's Little Richard vocal tribute is always on point, Ringo gives a swinging backbeat. The gang vocals are 100% pure energy and fun, you can't not want to singalong. To me, this is a real highlight and a killer cover from the band. That said, I have a real sweet spot for Beatle covers. This isn't their best Little Richard cover though, and we won't get to that one for quite a while. Joining us this week is yet another member of the 5 timers club, our buddy and bandmate Kyle Melancon. Recorded on Toss Day 2022 (thanks, Ringo) we cast a wide net on Beatlechat, ranging from poorly-made Beatle albums, what makes their covers successful or unsuccessful), the long strange version of "Kansas City," that ol' N'awlins classic Jazzbolaya, and we introduce a new element to our show! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Oct 25, 2022 · 1 hr 52 min
#133 - Got To Get You Into My Life with guest Sean Nelson (singer, songwriter, musician)
Note: This episode was originally taped several days before the release of "Got To Get You Into My Life (Second Version/Unnumbered Mix)" from the upcoming Revolver Super Deluxe reissue. We reconvened several days after that track's release to discuss the alternate version, and how it not only compares to the original, but how it changes our perceptions of the track. That conversation has been added to the end of our ranking discussion. One of the defining traits of Revolver is the vast differences between its' songs. The sessions started off with John's psychedelic masterpiece "Tomorrow Never Knows," and then moved from the paisley, trippy world to the sunshine and R&B bombast of Paul's "Got To Get You Into My Life." He must've known it was full of potential, as he lead the band through 2 different arrangements of it, then sat on it for several weeks before landing on the song's iconic horn arrangement. As we learn recently though, that melody was around as part of a full band, guitar melody. Yet one of Paul's strengths has always been pulling the most out of a song's potential, and he does it swimmingly here. It's a bright, confident blast of Stax/Motown-influenced R&B, yet feels distinctly like something that would come out of swinging London in the summer of '66. One of my only wishes was that the final version had more of the full band energy in it. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I say that in a podcast episode, days later, a version with the full band gets released! ALSO: At #133, yeah, I totally blew it. I don't know what I was thinking when I ranked this song #133. Mea culpa. I humbly offer my apologies on this gross misstep. We're happy to welcome this week's guest, singer/songwriter/musician Sean Nelson back to the podcast! As the first member of our illustrious 5-timers club, Sean (formerly of Harvey Danger) joins us to discuss the thrill of hearing new Beatles songs, why buying physical albums seems to be part of the Beatles experience, Paul's ode to chocolate, getting to be an honorary Rutle, and he and Julia share their best curly hair tips. If you're in the New York area, catch Sean live at City Winery Nov 6th! Tickets available here! Sean's latest single, Viral Love, can be heard here, or anywhere you stream music. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Oct 18, 2022 · 1 hr 12 min
#134 - Revolution 1 with guest James Campion (author, TAKE A SAD SONG… The Emotional Currency of “Hey Jude”)
Following the flower power vibes of 1967, 1968 found the Beatles diving into transcendental meditation, looking inward, and grounding themselves back to the real world around them, which was getting pretty tumultuous. A back-to-basics vibe that was moving through the music scene, combined with John's growing want to speak his mind on current events (aided by the artistic awakening he was experiencing with his new girlfriend, Yoko Ono), lead to the creation of "Revolution 1," a slow bluesy shuffle explaining John's desire to see the oppressive systems around the world crumble, but also his uncertainty of what to do once they fall. His want for this to be the band's next single lead to the creation of a faster, uptempo, unnumbered version that would be released as the b-side to "Hey Jude." Elements of the over 10 minute jam that became "Revolution 1" would get repurposed for John and Yoko's avant garde tour de force, "Revolution 9." "Revolution 1," however, was John's original statement, his artistic intent. He wanted the song slow so the lyrics were upfront and easy to understand, but to me the song's opioid-induced tempo kind of undercuts the message. The track itself is really interesting. It's a crisp, acoustic rhythm guitar provided by George, grounding the back-to-basics idea, but that idea gets undercut by lead guitar and loops and sounds that run in and out of the track. It's just as much a studio concoction as it is a band performance. John isn't sure if he can be counted in or out, and neither is the band just yet, as to whether they want to return to their roots. Joining us this week is James Campion, author of the book Take A Sad Song: The Emotional Currency of Hey Jude. We look at the times and history surrounding the writing and recording of "Hey Jude" and the "Revolution" trio, and the parts they play in their creations. We also talk about the multiple layers of the band, their first entry into the realm of political sons, the quintessential mansplain, and more! Grab a copy of "Take A Sad Song" anywhere you get books, or order one through jamescampion.com and he'll even sign it for you! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Oct 11, 2022 · 1 hr 14 min
#135 - Getting Better with guest Debbie Davis (singer, musician)
The yin and yang of Lennon and McCartney are rarely so perfectly on display as they are in the chorus of "Getting Better." Paul's eternal optimist, "I've got to admit it's getting better, a little better all the time" runs right up against the sardonic side of John: "It can't get no worse." On this Sgt. Pepper tune, they find meld an upbeat, bouncy melody with darker, quite self-aware lyrics about the worst parts of one's personality, and the human want to better one's self when love is involved. Sometimes we forget these guys are actually human, and made mistakes just like all of us. Though it maybe doesn't add much to the "concept" theme of Pepper, it's certainly a great and catchy song, and a band moment on a record where those full band moments start to become less frequent. We're thrilled to have our friend Debbie Davis back this week! One of the most revered singers in New Orleans, and now part of a touring bluegrass 80s cover band (how wild is that?), Debbie's knowledge of music and what makes things tick is always a pleasure to get to enjoy. We discuss all matter of issues, from traumatizing kid movies, the worst places to accidentally dose yourself, Jerry Garcia neckties, the lads' self-awareness, and Julia FINALLY gets with the porridge train! Be sure to follow Debbie's new band, Frankie Goes to Dollywood to see when they're headed your way! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Oct 4, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
#136 - Michelle with guest Janice Mitchell (author, "My Ticket To Ride")
Perhaps the ultimate song written for the purpose of playing it on a beat up old acoustic at a party so you can meet girls (apologies for that run on sentence), "Michelle" was written by Paul back in 1959 for just that purpose. You can easily imagine him brooding in a smokey corner, wearing a turtle neck, and singing an early version of this tune. It get shined up and completed for inclusion on 1965's Rubber Soul, and has become a much-loved, though often maligned Macca classic. I think it's got a whole lot going for it, personally. A fantastic melody, impeccable playing, brilliant vocals...and honestly, I think I blew it on this ranking. I even say so in the episode. Maybe I was just in a mood when I ranked it, but whatcha gonna do? Joining us this week is Janice Mitchell, author of the brilliantly-titled book My Ticket To Ride: How I Ran Away to England to Meet the Beatles and Got Rock and Roll Banned in Cleveland. Jan's lead a pretty amazing life and experienced some pretty amazing things, and we touch on a whole bunch of them, including this fantastic story her book is based on. Together we discuss her book, this amazing wine & cheese song, Below Deck, and Jonathan butchers the beautiful French language. Get a copy of Jan's book anywhere you pick up books, and get a signed copy here! What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Sep 21, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min
#137 - Dr. Robert with guest Bruce Ferber (writer, producer, author)
If there was any inclination the Fab Four were down to “expand their minds,” by the time Revolver came around, there was very little second guessing. The sounds are out there, backwards, mystical. And on "Dr. Robert," what might have been a nudge and wink previously is now just a punch in the face: THESE GUYS TAKE DRUGS. Whether it’s autobiographical or a character piece though, it’s a fantastic mind movie, where the band paint a great picture sonically of the good Doctor, while John’s vocal moves to almost Dylan-esque places. On an album wherein the band is really starting to use the studio as an instrument, “Dr. Robert” holds its’ own as a great live band performance, especially with John and Paul’s fantastic vocals being recorded together. Sonically, this is maybe the song that exemplifies to me the brilliance of the sound of the Revolver album, chiming Epiphone Casinos and Vox Amps, thumping Rickenbacker bass. It’s maybe my favorite SOUNDING Beatles album, and this is one of my favorite sounding moments. It’s not a major player in the overall arc of the catalog, but it’s a good one for sure. Joining us this week is Emmy and Golden Globe nominated screenwriter, producer, and author Bruce Ferber. While his biggest credits include some truly classic sitcoms like Home Improvement, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Bosom Buddies, Coach, and Growing Pains, these days he’s turned his pen towards writing award winning novels. His current book is I Buried Paul, a story of a man who plays Paul McCartney in a Beatles Tribute band. It’s a self-described love letter to the power of music, and an exploration of the sacrifices its disciples are willing to make in service to its’ magic. We chat with Bruce about just what drove him to dive into the world of Beatles Tribute acts, learning to be open to change, the REAL Dr. Robert, and what may be the greatest Beatles Tribute band of all time. Get yourself a copy of I Buried Paul at bruceferber.net, or anywhere you buy good books! P.S. - This was recorded prior to the announcement of the upcoming Revolver box set reissue. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!
Sep 13, 2022 · 1 hr 22 min
#138 - Good Day Sunshine with guest Wayne Federman (comic, actor, author, producer)
If ever a Paul song fit the oft-used descriptor of “jaunty,” it’s “Good Day Sunshine.” A tune written during the Revolver sessions, it’s one of the sunnier moments on an album that sees a bit of a darker side of the Beatles than we’d seen before. It’s maybe not the weightiest thing he’s ever done, but it’s amazing how Paul has the ability to soundtrack human emotions so easily; the song really has the bounce and light and fun of new love and a beautiful day. It’s the part of the ying and yang, the light and dark that make the Beatles so successful. Joining us this week is comedian, actor, author, and now Emmy winning-producer Wayne Federman. Wayne is the producer of the documentary George Carlin’s American Dream,”which recently won the 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Documentary. He’s also the the author of the book The History of Standup: From Mark Twain to Dave Chapelle, was the head monologue writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and has popped up in a long list of movies and tv shows that you’ve definitely seen. We chat with Wayne about being a Ringo stan, the value of the Beatles brand comedy, musical DNA between songs, song inspiration, and much much more! Check out WayneFederman.com to grab his book, and follow him on Twitter at @federman. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com and our brand new webstore!! RANK YOUR OWN BEATLES with our new RTB poster! Pick up a tshirt, coffee cup, tote bag, and more! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!