I was recently listening to some of my Beatles collection (currently sitting at 662 songs…), and thought it would be cool to do a blog about some of the more obscure songs they have. Some of my favorite Beatles songs are ones most “fans” have never heard. So I decided to scour my library and put together a list of 10 Beatles songs you’ve probably never heard. I couldn’t go completely crazy on the “never heard” part because they have some really out there stuff. I had to straddle a line when picking some of these songs and find a balance between uncommon, and still awesome music. So here are my top 10 Beatles Songs You’ve (Probably) Never Heard!
A Day In The Life (Takes 1,2,6, & Orchestra)
Anthology Volume 2
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Originally, this song closed “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band”, then another version of Sgt. Peppers was added to the end. This song is pretty cool for the simple fact most of it is completely improvised, even a large portion of the “final” recording on Sgt. Peppers. This recording is actually a compilation of Takes 1, 2, and 6, which if you listen closely, you can hear a couple of the edits (they were working on actual tape, give them some slack). This song is especially cool because of the contrast between Lennon and McCartney’s parts. The orchestra that bridges the two parts is an example of the improv that makes a lot of Beatles recordings.
Fun Fact: The title of this blog is a play on words from this song.
I’m Only Sleeping
Revolver
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I like this song because it really portrays a certain mood. Whether the song’s about actually dreaming, or more likely a drug induced hazed, it’s still pretty cool. You can hear George Harrison playing guitar throughout the whole song, which is then reversed (on tape mind you) and played back in time to the song.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Demo)
Anthology Volume 3
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This is a George Harrison exclusive song, just him, his acoustic guitar, and an organ. I like this song because the close intimate sound, you feel like he’s really right there next to you playing this song. What’s also cool, is the fact that this songs inspiration came when Harrison decided to open a random book and write a song based on the first words he saw, which were “gently weeps”. This song was later reworked and released on The White Album.
Act Naturally
Help!
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This is actually a cover song, originally recorded by Buck Owens. It’s also one of the few Beatles songs that features exclusively Ringo Starr’s vocals. The song was held off the original (Capitol) release of “Help!”, but was later released on the Apple version, and actually hit #47 on the Billboard top 100.
For The Benefit of Mr. Kite (Take 7 & Effects Tape)
Anthology Volume 2
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There’s so many different versions of this song out there that it was tough to pick just one. This is the most complete outtake, yet different enough from the popular version, that it was perfect for my list. Lennon told engineer George Martin that he wanted it to sound like a carnival, that he wanted to “smell the sawdust on the floor.” George Martin instructed Geoff Emerick to chop the tape (I can’t stress this enough, TAPE people….) into pieces with scissors, throw them up in the air, and re-assemble them at random.
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
White Album
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If I had to pick one Beatles song to listen to for the rest of my life, this would be it. The title is by far my favorite. Most people don’t catch it, but if you think of it, in order for a gun to be “warm”, you most likely just shot something, or someone…. Oh that clever John Lennon. Lennon calls this song a “history of rock and roll”, which can be seen in the multiple distinct sections of the song. Moving from 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, and 6/4 time signatures.
I’ve Got A Feelin’ (Savile Row)
Anthology Volume 3
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This song is actually a compilation of three Beatles songs, most of which were never heard after this was released. It’s a mashup of McCartney’s “I’ve Got A Feelin”, and Lennons “Everybody Had A Hard Year”, and “Watching Rainbows”. I like this version because I like the feel it being “unfinished” and raw. It’s more of a rock and roll type song anyway, so the edgier version fits it.
I’ve Just Seen A Face
Help!
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This was a borderline song. It’s fairly common among people who listen to the Beatles, and there’s nothing that outstanding about it in the first place; however, I think it’s a pretty cool song, and my girlfriend loves it. It’s also notable that this is one of very few “guitar” songs by the Beatles without a bass guitar.
I Am The Walrus (Take 16)
Anthology Volume 2
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This is one the “trippier” Beatles songs, and as you could have guessed, it was written by John Lennon. He credits the first two lines to two separate acid trips. I prefer this version because it has the choir singing towards the end. Before Lennon died he told engineer George Martin how he wanted it scored, he even recorded himself singing the accompaniment. It took until 1996 before George Martin did it.
Across The Universe
Past Masters, Volume 2
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While the song, as 90% of them are, is credited to “Lennon/McCartney”, this is another John Lennon song. I like this song because of where Lennon found his inspiration. He says his then wife, Cynthia, was going “on and on about something”. He tried to sleep but kept hearing the words over and over in his head. He went down stairs and penned the line “words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup”. This song sat on the shelf for years and years until it was released on a charity “wildlife” album (which is where the birds chirping comes from) for a friend. This version is considered the “psychadelic version”. In 2003 the original was stripped of most of the instruments, and slowed down to the correct speed for release on “Let It Be… Naked”.
Tags: Music
December 10th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
IVE JUST SEEN A FACE I CANT FORGET THE TIME AND PLACE….