Worst Beatle song?
- Thread starter jadziakl
- Start date
doakpersoncat
New member
no, that's the point. If a song has those descriptions doesn't mean it's a shitty song. It can be a great track without the over worked melodies.
The Beatles helped emancipate dissonance within the rock genre. People need to lay off things like Revolution 9 and the finale for A Day in the Life. And Tomorrow Never Knows? One of my favourite songs from my de facto favourite Beatles album.
As for worst Beatles song post-Rubber Soul? I always thought The Long & Winding Road was aptly named. Long, meandering, and seeming to lead nowhere.
As for worst Beatles song post-Rubber Soul? I always thought The Long & Winding Road was aptly named. Long, meandering, and seeming to lead nowhere.
kimalison11
New member
John's solo career puts me to sleep. I think the only Beatle with a worthwhile solo career was George. Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, Brainwashed, and All things Must Pass are all great albums, all of which have material on par with the best of Harrison's Beatles output. Neither Lennon or McCartney can claim that about ANY of their solo albums, nevermind three of them.
Smile Todayy?
New member
That song was really overproduced by Phil Spector. In my opinion, it doesn't really fit with the rest of Let It Be.
nsecurenold
New member
:clap:
I agree 100%
I agree 100%
summer 369
New member
I love Ob-la-di... 
John had basically already checked out by the time they cut Abbey Road, which is why Paul dominated it so much with that massive medley and such. The problem with that is, when left unchecked, Paul tenRAB to go bubblegum pop, and John was his best check.
It worked both ways though. John didn't really have the same handle on composition that George and Paul had, so when he stopped inviting them into his creative process, his songs tended to be suffer. I Want You is a prime example. It just meanders without really going anywhere.
The Beatles really worked best as a unit. The sum of the parts was much greater than the individuals. Unfortunately, they weren't really working together by the time Abbey Road rolled around.
John had basically already checked out by the time they cut Abbey Road, which is why Paul dominated it so much with that massive medley and such. The problem with that is, when left unchecked, Paul tenRAB to go bubblegum pop, and John was his best check.
It worked both ways though. John didn't really have the same handle on composition that George and Paul had, so when he stopped inviting them into his creative process, his songs tended to be suffer. I Want You is a prime example. It just meanders without really going anywhere.
The Beatles really worked best as a unit. The sum of the parts was much greater than the individuals. Unfortunately, they weren't really working together by the time Abbey Road rolled around.
Using big worRAB is fine...you just sound like a windbag. And the lyrics to Tomorrow Never Knows could mean a variety of things, depenRAB on who is interpreting them really.
"Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream"
By "turn off your mind" I believe Lennon is referring to the incessant chatter that occurs in the mind--constantly analyzing objects, people, and situations without allowing us to reflect on them as they are--without our subjective value judgments. To "turn off" this chatter would allow us to relax, and accept the present moment as it is and be content with it.
"It is not dying"
To actually stop the mind and allow yourself to float downstream is a frightening concept to many people. Lennon is offering reassurance that disassociation from yourself is not death or anything to be frightened of.
"Lay down all thought, surrender to the void"
Again Lennon is asking us to stop our constant internal conversation, but in this line he also mentions that we are "surrendering" to something. A "void" that is greater than we are. I believe the "void" he is referring to is the emptiness and stillness of the world as it is, unimpeded by our thoughts. All things are inherently meaningless--Lennon is asking us to recognize this. The "void" is also probably a reference to psychedelic/mystical experiences which can result in "ego death"--when this occurs one literally does feel as though they are floating through some sort of inter-dimensional space, perhaps, a "void" if you will.
"It is shining"
Maybe a reference to a "nimitta" in Buddhism or something analogous in other religious traditions--basically a mental object that one experiences after intense meditation when the mind is singularly focused on the initial object of meditation. These mental objects are often described as balls of light/stars/etc. The "shining" here could also mean the liberating insight gained from clearing the mind. These interpretations sort of go hand in hand.
"That you may see the meaning of within"
All of these things that Lennon has asked us to do will allow us to see the "meaning of within." The true nature of reality/ourselves/everything.
"It is being"
Very simple...all things simply are. Everything is.
"That love is all that love is everyone"
Perhaps this is the insight that Lennon has gained from turning off his mind, or perhaps he is proposing this as the true nature of reality. Perhaps both. Either way Lennon sees all things as a manifestation of love energy. Love is everything and everyone and therefore love is the only thing that is important. All you need is love indeed...
"It is knowing"
Love is omniscient.
"That ignorance and hate may mourn the dead"
Maybe Lennon is saying that "ignorance", or the inability of humans to see the true nature of all things and the root cause of all suffering on the planet, and "hate" or actions driven by human aversion, another root cause of suffering, will mourn the loss of those who have taken Lennon's advice. The human ego is constantly trying to delude us for its own satisfaction, and these delusional thoughts inevitably lead to suffering. The pleasure that the ego seeks also leaRAB to suffering but humanity is unable to recognize this often times and so continues to dwell in and construct thoughts based on egotistical delusions. Recognize this and you can be free from delusion. You will experience "ego death", you will be one of "the dead."
"But listen to the color of your dreams"
Another psychedelic reference probably, as people often report "hearing" or feeling colors--a visual phenomena. By color Lennon also probably means substance. Listen to the substance of your dreams--be mindful of the things that your dreams can teach you about the world. "Dreams" may also be a reference to psychedelic/mystical experiences.
"It is not living"
I don't know. Maybe Lennon is saying that we are not "living" if we don't follow his advice here. Or maybe he is saying that we are not living if we do follow his advice. Because living implies the duality between "life/death", and because these dualities are also meaningless, following Lennon's advice will lead one to the conclusion that one is not living. To think of yourself as "alive" is to again differentiate yourself from your surroundings, from things that aren't "alive" and because these distinctions are meaningless you cease to view yourself as living when Lennon's advice is truly taken to heart.
"Or play the game of existence to the end of the beginning"
Likely a reference to the Buddhist view of reincarnation. Failure to experience ego death, to wholly turn off your mind and gain insight into the true nature of reality will result in rebirth on this plane of existence--over and over until one finally reaches Nibbana.
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Certainly not meaningless. Seeing them as such is indicative of fault on your end, not Lennon's.
"Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream"
By "turn off your mind" I believe Lennon is referring to the incessant chatter that occurs in the mind--constantly analyzing objects, people, and situations without allowing us to reflect on them as they are--without our subjective value judgments. To "turn off" this chatter would allow us to relax, and accept the present moment as it is and be content with it.
"It is not dying"
To actually stop the mind and allow yourself to float downstream is a frightening concept to many people. Lennon is offering reassurance that disassociation from yourself is not death or anything to be frightened of.
"Lay down all thought, surrender to the void"
Again Lennon is asking us to stop our constant internal conversation, but in this line he also mentions that we are "surrendering" to something. A "void" that is greater than we are. I believe the "void" he is referring to is the emptiness and stillness of the world as it is, unimpeded by our thoughts. All things are inherently meaningless--Lennon is asking us to recognize this. The "void" is also probably a reference to psychedelic/mystical experiences which can result in "ego death"--when this occurs one literally does feel as though they are floating through some sort of inter-dimensional space, perhaps, a "void" if you will.
"It is shining"
Maybe a reference to a "nimitta" in Buddhism or something analogous in other religious traditions--basically a mental object that one experiences after intense meditation when the mind is singularly focused on the initial object of meditation. These mental objects are often described as balls of light/stars/etc. The "shining" here could also mean the liberating insight gained from clearing the mind. These interpretations sort of go hand in hand.
"That you may see the meaning of within"
All of these things that Lennon has asked us to do will allow us to see the "meaning of within." The true nature of reality/ourselves/everything.
"It is being"
Very simple...all things simply are. Everything is.
"That love is all that love is everyone"
Perhaps this is the insight that Lennon has gained from turning off his mind, or perhaps he is proposing this as the true nature of reality. Perhaps both. Either way Lennon sees all things as a manifestation of love energy. Love is everything and everyone and therefore love is the only thing that is important. All you need is love indeed...
"It is knowing"
Love is omniscient.
"That ignorance and hate may mourn the dead"
Maybe Lennon is saying that "ignorance", or the inability of humans to see the true nature of all things and the root cause of all suffering on the planet, and "hate" or actions driven by human aversion, another root cause of suffering, will mourn the loss of those who have taken Lennon's advice. The human ego is constantly trying to delude us for its own satisfaction, and these delusional thoughts inevitably lead to suffering. The pleasure that the ego seeks also leaRAB to suffering but humanity is unable to recognize this often times and so continues to dwell in and construct thoughts based on egotistical delusions. Recognize this and you can be free from delusion. You will experience "ego death", you will be one of "the dead."
"But listen to the color of your dreams"
Another psychedelic reference probably, as people often report "hearing" or feeling colors--a visual phenomena. By color Lennon also probably means substance. Listen to the substance of your dreams--be mindful of the things that your dreams can teach you about the world. "Dreams" may also be a reference to psychedelic/mystical experiences.
"It is not living"
I don't know. Maybe Lennon is saying that we are not "living" if we don't follow his advice here. Or maybe he is saying that we are not living if we do follow his advice. Because living implies the duality between "life/death", and because these dualities are also meaningless, following Lennon's advice will lead one to the conclusion that one is not living. To think of yourself as "alive" is to again differentiate yourself from your surroundings, from things that aren't "alive" and because these distinctions are meaningless you cease to view yourself as living when Lennon's advice is truly taken to heart.
"Or play the game of existence to the end of the beginning"
Likely a reference to the Buddhist view of reincarnation. Failure to experience ego death, to wholly turn off your mind and gain insight into the true nature of reality will result in rebirth on this plane of existence--over and over until one finally reaches Nibbana.
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Certainly not meaningless. Seeing them as such is indicative of fault on your end, not Lennon's.
luke666808g
New member
Well - I really like the entire White Album except for 2 songs: Birthday and USSR.
So I'm mostly talking about: Helter Skelter, Honey Pie, Why Don't We Do It In The Road, Ob-La-Di, and Piggies - I guess it's not surprising that people don't like them but those are some of the songs that made me appreciate the Beatles in the first place. Same goes for Blue Jay Way - it's one of my favorite things they did. Also, I like the Ringo songs - to me they're a nice break from the Lennon/McCartney machine.
So I'm mostly talking about: Helter Skelter, Honey Pie, Why Don't We Do It In The Road, Ob-La-Di, and Piggies - I guess it's not surprising that people don't like them but those are some of the songs that made me appreciate the Beatles in the first place. Same goes for Blue Jay Way - it's one of my favorite things they did. Also, I like the Ringo songs - to me they're a nice break from the Lennon/McCartney machine.
Blink 182 ❤
New member
That's the one I can't stand also. It's an audio sedative.
C
"Cooool."
Guest
Excluding their early stuff, probably Piggies or What Goes On.
But I dunno how anyone could hate Blue Jay Way.
But I dunno how anyone could hate Blue Jay Way.
Their post-Help! work neeRAB to be held to a higher standard. In 1970 they were no longer the young and inexperienced band that made the lackluster "With the Beatles".
Not to mention that their earlier material is bad for completely different reasons than The Long and Winding Road.
Not to mention that their earlier material is bad for completely different reasons than The Long and Winding Road.