Beatles third album, released way back in the Summer of 1964 in the UK, was their greatest achievement for The Beatles as of yet. Finally, the Beatles had an album filled with just Lennon/McCartney compositions. On their first two releases, producer George Martin suggested songs for the boys to record because the material the Beatles had brought in wasn't that good according to Martin.
The Beatles penned 13 new songs, some of them especially for the film, although they had yet to see a script. Never had a Beatles album been so lopsided as far as writing credits. Ten of the tracks were written mainly by John Lennon with only three submissions from Paul McCartney.

To my knowledge, never had a song had so much debate about what chords were being played by the musicians, especially within popular music. The opening chord of A Hard Day's Night has been debated over these years about what chord it is exactly. Maybe McCartney could shed light on this minor subject, but I suppose if he could he hadn't done so as of yet. The title is what Beatle fans call a Ringoism; Lennon called it Ringo's malapropism, which means the incorrect usage of a word. Some other Ringoisms that have become songs are Eight Days A Week or Tomorrow Never Knows.
This song is a great opener, a fast rocker with a lead vocal that is shared by Lennon and Paul for the bridge. Lennon says that the only reason McCartney is singing lead on the bridge is because he (Lennon) couldn't hit those notes. In my opinion, this is hard to believe, I think the real reason is the usual reason why they would sing each other's middle eights, is because Paul wrote that part of the song. The song was a number one hit for The Beatles in the US pop charts.

The hook to John's I Should Have Known Better is the perfect vocal performance and John's catchy harmonica riff that introduces each verse. George has his typical guitar solo; it is a little annoying because is too loud for this mix. John's harmonica gives the song a heavy edge. McCartney is not heard singing on this track, and the way this track was produced we can hardly hear his bass playing. But, the song rocks anyway. The song reached number 53 in the US charts.

My top five Beatles songs changes usually on a monthly basis. One song that has remained and will probably always remain in my top five is John's amazing If I Fell. The song starts off with an introductory verse sung by Lennon, but then the vocals are mostly John and Paul providing the most perfect harmonies. They both sing two separate melody lines that are so beautifully sung together. How did they think of something so brilliant and perfect? Has anybody ever topped this or came close? It is mind blowing how amazing the vocal harmonies are. They harmonies make this one song turn into three separate tunes. It's a ballad, with an almost Latin drum beat provided by Ringo.

I was never too keen on I'm Happy Just To Dance With You. John is said to not have been too keen on it himself, and it is this reason that he gave it to George to sing lead for the film's sake. Believe it or not, this song hit number 95 in the US charts.

Paul's And I Love Her is a beautiful love song written about his girlfriend, actress Jane Asher. This song has a Latin acoustic guitar feel, very gentle and quiet. This track is even a favorite of John's. This song reached number 12 in the US charts.

Can't Buy Me Love is a real gem written by McCartney. A hard rocker with just McCartney present on vocals. In America, this song was one of the five songs that took the first five positions on the pop singles charts, along with Twist and Shout, She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, and Please, Please Me. Can't Buy Me Love reached number one.

John Lennon said that he wrote Anytime At All with one of his previous songs in mind, It Won't Be Long. An upbeat number that tries to hook you. The hook works perfect with It Won't Be Long, but John was using the wrong bait with his attempt here. This song is nowhere near as good as It Won't Be Long. Good powerful vocal by John Lennon, Paul helps out here and there.

I'll Cry Instead sounds like it could have fit more nicely on With The Beatles. This is a country/rocker from John, not one of my favorites. It reached number 25 in the US singles charts.

Paul's Things We Said Today was written by Paul while on vacation in the Bahamas. Paul's see-saw like melody compliments the prominent acoustic guitar throughout the song. Nice big change in the bridge that flows in and out of the verses like the tide. This song was the b-side to A Hard Days Night.

When I Get Home, another one of John's is some more album filler. It's not awful, but especially when played alongside the majority of these songs, it just sounds like a throw away.

You Can't Do That, another John composition is in the same quality caliber as When I Get Home, I'll Cry Instead and Anytime At All. These three songs are B quality, yet having said that, this is the best of this lot. This song reached number 48 in the US charts.

The Beatles finish off the album's list of songs with an awesome contribution from John. I'll Be Back is a perfect song, with amazing harmonies from John and Paul again. Another fast paced acoustic guitar number with a clever lick. Surprising to me, this song is very doo wop influenced, and it sounds nothing like that genre.

This album was originally released mid July of 1964 in Great Britain, and the US version was released at the end of June 1964. Both versions topped the charts and there was much success with the singles.
The album took a giant step forward in the craft of Beatle songwriting, and John Lennon especially showcased his many musical talents. The Beatles were constantly moving ahead and they only got better with each album. Here at album number three, the Beatles had 6 more years worth of album releases, and it's still mind-numbing how far they strived and reached.

CD: 4 stars

Song
1. A Hard Day's Night
2. A Should Have Known Better
3. If I Fell
4. I'm Happy Just To Dance With You
5. And I Love Her
6. Tell Me Why
7. Can't Buy Me Love
8. Any Time At All
9. I'll Cry Instead
10. Things We Said Today
11. When I Get Home
12. You Can't Do That
13. I'll Be Back



♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦More Beatles-related Epinions from Scapp70♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦


~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Beatles~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please Please Me
A Hard Day's Night
Help!
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Magical Mystery Tour
The White Album
Abbey Road
Real Love (CD Single)
Free As A Bird (CD Single)
Tropical Tribute To The Beatles
Bach On Abbey Road
Love



~~~~~~~~~~~Paul McCartney~~~~~~~~~~

McCartney
RAM
Red Rose Speedway
Band On The Run
Venus And Mars
Wings At The Speed Of Sound
Should Paul McCartney Go Back On Drugs?
The Walrus Was Paul
Top 20 Favorite SOLO Beatles Songs W/O


~~~~~~~~~~~~Ringo Starr~~~~~~~~~~~

Ringo
Goodnight Vienna
Blast From The Past
Rotogravure
VH1 Storytellers


~~~~~~~~~~~~John Lennon~~~~~~~~~~~

Plastic Ono Band
Imagine


~~~~~~~~~~George Harrison~~~~~~~~~

All Things Must Pass















Recommended: Yes

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