Poll: What's your favourite track on Revolver? Please vote...

Posted by: Chief Chirpa on 12 February 2011

I recently re-read Ian MacDonald's excellent book on the Beatles' records, Revolution In The Head, while listening to the remasters. Though most of their songs feature contributions from all four members, the joint Lennon-McCartney songwriting credit was almost always something of a misnomer, with Revolver having six of Paul's tracks, five of John's, and three from George, of course.

 I probably didn't realise this when I was younger, but I definitely favour one's songs over the other(s), and I was wondering if other folk are the same, or not. Also maybe, whether the forum is more John than Paul, or not.

Hardly a scientific survey, but hey it's a poll. Please vote, and post a reply if you wish.

I guess the question I'm really asking is... Lennon or McCartney?
Posted on: 05 March 2011 by fred simon
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:
Revolver is an outstanding album from an amazing group and there are no tracks on this record that I dislike - every one a gem. I think "Got To Get You Into My Life" is great track and has the magical 60s sound that was emulated by many enjoyable groups that followed: I sometimes think the Turtles based their entire repertoire on it. Only two other groups have come close to giving me anything like the enjoyment the Beatles have over the years and they are both very different from John, Paul, George and Ringo and certainly not better just different.

Agreed ... a masterpiece through and through. McCartney has said that Got To Get You Into My Life was inspired by the Motown sound, which is clearly the case. One of my favorite moments in all of recorded music is the short twangy guitar break late in the song. I have literally played that little bit over and over on occasion ... so soulful and funky, and yet a little bit country. In fact, I love the country music influence in many of The Beatles' songs.

So, I'm eager to know ... who are the "other two groups"?
Posted on: 06 March 2011 by Max Bass
Fred-

Interesting, McCartney talks about Motown as the inspiration for "Got to Get You Into My Life".  I'm pretty sure that Soulsville USA, the Stax artists and sound played a major influence on the Beatles around the time of Revolver.  Brian Epstein had gone down to Memphis to see about recording at the Stax studios because the Beatles wanted their next album to be recorded there.
They scotched it, but that next album turned out to be "Revolver".

The Beatles, especially Lennon, were listening to Booker T & the MGs, Sam & Dave, Ottis Redding.  "Got to Get You Into My Life" and "Good Day Sunshine" are good examples of two very soulful songs with horn parts reminiscent of "the Memphis" horns.

Max
Posted on: 21 August 2012 by osprey
Originally Posted by Chief Chirpa:
I guess the question I'm really asking is... Lennon or McCartney?

 

I would say Harrison when he got the space he was the man.

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by VladtheImpala

Let's start with the easy ones. Best track on an album that is at the pinnacle of pop music????

I went for "And Your Bird Can Sing" for no other reason than it has one of the best electric guitar accompaniments I've ever heard. Is it true it was played by McCartney???

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by Redmires

I don't think it's clear who played lead on this. Lewisohn's "The Recording Sessions" does not elaborate and Macdonald's "Revolution in the Head" states "a recurring arabesque in parallel thirds played by Harrison & McCartney (or possibly Lennon)".

 

We know it wasn't Ringo then