The Beatles (White Album), The Beatles, 1968

I am ready for another revisionism. This time I will like this album, but selectively. When it came out, I listened pretty uncritically. But I did think it was dark, disturbed, and disturbing, with plenty of violence (“Bungalow Bill”, “Rocky Raccoon”, “Happiness is a Warm Gun”).

Later, in the punk era, I was revulsed. No Elvis, Beatles, or Rolling Stones. (Or in a more charitable mood- “I was in love with the Beatles.”)

 Now - I will amuse myself by creating a one-record version with the songs I think worth keeping.

 Worth keeping, and would have made a pretty kick-ass Beatles album:
   Back in the USSR (Paul)
   Dear Prudence (John)
   Glass Onion (John)
   While My Guitar Gently Weeps (George)
   Blackbird (Paul)
   I Will (Paul)
   Julia (John)
   Mother Nature’s Son (Paul)
   Sexy Sadie (John)
   Helter Skelter (Paul)
   Long, Long, Long (George)
   Revolution 1 (John)
   Cry Baby Cry (John)
   Good Night (John, w/ Ringo on vocals)

Throw away: (In today’s terms, “White Album Deluxe Edition”):
   Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da (Paul)
   Wild Honey Pie (Paul)
   The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill (John)
   Happiness Is a Warm Gun (John)
   Martha My Dear (Paul)
   I’m So Tired (John)
   Piggies (George)
   Rocky Raccoon (Paul)
   Don’t Pass Me By (Ringo)
   Why Don’t We Do It In the Road? (Paul)
   Birthday (Paul)
   Yer Blues (John)
   Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me and My Monkey (John)
   Honey Pie (Paul)
   Savoy Truffle (George)
   Revolution 9 (John)

"Hello Goodbye", The Beatles, 1967

I was going to say this didn’t hold up so well, but I don’t think I liked it all that much then. Like the strings, though. (Violas, according to Alan W. Pollack.)

"Hey Jude"/"Revolution", The Beatles, 1968

"Revolution"

Dr. O’Boogie’s amazing guitar, which wouldn’t have been out of place at an 80’s punk gig. The lyrics’ message, however reasonable, was not what people wanted to hear in 1968.

“Hey Jude”

Didn’t like it then, do now. Partly it’s because now I know it’s about Julian Lennon (and by Paul, not John). Also the sentiments of maturity. The extended repeats of the chorus are audacious and beautiful.

It’s interesting that both songs counsel against extremes of emotion, one in politics and the other in, well, emotions.

"Penny Lane"/"Strawberry Fields Forever", The Beatles, 1967

"Penny Lane"

Fatal McCartney Cuteness Disease.

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

Disregard the psychedelic bafflegab of the lyrics and there’s a good song here, with some interesting musical experiments.