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RUBBER SOUL-a thread
rubber soul is the sixth studio album by the beatles. it was released in 1965 in the UK, on EMI's parlophone label, recording sessions took place over a four-week period. for the first time in their career, they could record an album free of concert, radio or film commitments.
TRACK ONE: drive my car
written primarily by paul mccartney, with lyrical contributions from john lennon. it was first released on the british version of the band's 1965 album rubber soul; it also appeared in north america on the yesterday and today collection.
written primarily by paul mccartney, with lyrical contributions from john lennon. it was first released on the british version of the band's 1965 album rubber soul; it also appeared in north america on the yesterday and today collection.
TRACK TWO: norwegian wood(this bird has flown)
they began recording ‘norwegian wood’ 12th October 1965, under the working title ‘this bird has flown’. they spent much of the session rehearsing and arranging the song, eventually taping just one track and a series of overdubs.
they began recording ‘norwegian wood’ 12th October 1965, under the working title ‘this bird has flown’. they spent much of the session rehearsing and arranging the song, eventually taping just one track and a series of overdubs.
TRACK THREE: you won’t see me
the beatles recorded "you won’t see me" during the last day of recording for rubber soul – an all night session. the lyrics address paul’s troubled relationship with jane asher and her desire to pursue her career as a stage and film actress.
the beatles recorded "you won’t see me" during the last day of recording for rubber soul – an all night session. the lyrics address paul’s troubled relationship with jane asher and her desire to pursue her career as a stage and film actress.
TRACK FOUR: nowhere man
the song came from john lennon’s feelings of isolation in his weybridge home, where he spent many hours in solitary contemplation away from the mayhem of beatlemania. it was written when they were struggling to come up with enough songs for the album.
the song came from john lennon’s feelings of isolation in his weybridge home, where he spent many hours in solitary contemplation away from the mayhem of beatlemania. it was written when they were struggling to come up with enough songs for the album.
TRACK FIVE: think for yourself
written by george harrison, together with "if i needed someone", marking the start of his emergence as a songwriter beside john lennon and paul mccartney. -
written by george harrison, together with "if i needed someone", marking the start of his emergence as a songwriter beside john lennon and paul mccartney. -
- george said that his intention was to target narrow-minded thinking and identified the british government as a possible source. as a result of the vagueness of his comment, the song has invited interpretation as both a political commentary / statement on a failing relationship.
TRACK SIX: the word
written by john and paul and recorded with john on lead vocals. they wrote it after smoking marijuana, something they had not done before, which from mccartney's (opposite to johns) perspective got in the way of songwriting".
written by john and paul and recorded with john on lead vocals. they wrote it after smoking marijuana, something they had not done before, which from mccartney's (opposite to johns) perspective got in the way of songwriting".
TRACK SEVEN: michelle
the song was one of mccartney’s oldest, having been started in around 1959. he composed the tune on his first ever guitar, a zenith, which he still owns. -
the song was one of mccartney’s oldest, having been started in around 1959. he composed the tune on his first ever guitar, a zenith, which he still owns. -
- the french element, meanwhile, was inspired by parties held by austin mitchell – one of john lennon’s tutors at the liverpool college of art, and potentially the inspiration behind the song’s title.
TRACK EIGHT: what goes on
what goes on was one of john’s early songs, written before the group had a recording contract and never performed live. it wasn’t released until rubber soul, where it was issued, uniquely, with a lennon-mccartney-starkey credit.
what goes on was one of john’s early songs, written before the group had a recording contract and never performed live. it wasn’t released until rubber soul, where it was issued, uniquely, with a lennon-mccartney-starkey credit.
TRACK NINE: girl
‘girl’ was the last complete song recorded for this album. it is one of the most melancholic and complex of the beatles' earlier love songs. in paul’s description: “my main memory is that john wanted to hear the breathing, wanted it to be very intimate.”
‘girl’ was the last complete song recorded for this album. it is one of the most melancholic and complex of the beatles' earlier love songs. in paul’s description: “my main memory is that john wanted to hear the breathing, wanted it to be very intimate.”
TRACK TEN: i’m looking through you
McCartney wrote the song about English actress Jane Asher, his girlfriend for much of the 1960s, the line "you don't look different, but you have changed" reflects his dissatisfaction with their relationship.
McCartney wrote the song about English actress Jane Asher, his girlfriend for much of the 1960s, the line "you don't look different, but you have changed" reflects his dissatisfaction with their relationship.
TRACK ELEVEN: in my life
according to lennon, this was his "first real major piece of work" as it was the first time he penned personal lyrics about his own life. the original version of the lyrics was based on a bus route he used to take in liverpool -
according to lennon, this was his "first real major piece of work" as it was the first time he penned personal lyrics about his own life. the original version of the lyrics was based on a bus route he used to take in liverpool -
- naming various sites seen along the way, including penny lane and strawberry field. he and mccartney later revisited those original references with their respective songs "strawberry fields forever" and "penny lane".
TRACK TWELVE: wait
the song is credited to lennon–mccartney, although in the 1997 book, ‘many years from now’ mccartney recalls it as entirely his, this is supported by a 1970 interview with john lennon by ray connolly, in which he could not remember writing it.
the song is credited to lennon–mccartney, although in the 1997 book, ‘many years from now’ mccartney recalls it as entirely his, this is supported by a 1970 interview with john lennon by ray connolly, in which he could not remember writing it.
TRACK THIRTEEN: if i needed someone
‘if i needed someone’ was the only one of harrison’s songs to have become a part of the beatles’ live repertoire. it is believed to have been performed at every Beatles concert in 1966, and was played at their final show in san francisco.
‘if i needed someone’ was the only one of harrison’s songs to have become a part of the beatles’ live repertoire. it is believed to have been performed at every Beatles concert in 1966, and was played at their final show in san francisco.
TRACK FOURTEEN: run for your life
written primarily by john, the song's lyrics establish a threatening tone towards the singer's unnamed girlfriend (referred to throughout the song as "little girl"), claiming "i'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man.”
written primarily by john, the song's lyrics establish a threatening tone towards the singer's unnamed girlfriend (referred to throughout the song as "little girl"), claiming "i'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man.”
that line was taken from an early elvis presley song, "baby let's play house" (written by arthur gunter). lennon revisited this theme in a more apologetic fashion with his post-beatles song "jealous guy”
END OF THREAD!! there’s so many good songs on this album it’s hard for me to pick just one favourite!! let me know your favourites and i hope you maybe learned something new!! <3
