Good Day Sunshine, opening side two of the record, is a bouncy stroll with your lover to a park where you can delight in each other's company, nature and the sunshine. The music, deceptively simple like so many of Paul's songs of that era, cleverly but naturally employs rhythmic changes that set up the listener for the halo of gold that arrives with the ecstatic choruses. The constant by ways provided by the cheeky key changes reflect the paths taken to the destination - beautifully constructed but not clunky - till we land in some sort of nirvana. It's a brilliant example of how to express a feeling that is so hard to explain merely in words and the Beatles arrangement and performance is masterly. Hell yes, it fully deserves it's place on arguably the greatest album of all time!
An incredible commentary on a great song. Years ago, I met a young lady and she agreed to go out with me. When I went back to my shared flat I asked permission to play ONE song at high volume - we were supposed to keep things quiet - and this was the song I picked. It's pure happiness from start to finish and the change-up at the end just leaves you wanting more. Thank you for a fantstic and detailed commentary on one of my faves.
@@fathommusicnz That must be what he means. You obviously don't have to pay to subscribe.....though I have to say, years ago when I started using RUclips, I did think that! 🤣🤣
It always comes across as a bit bitter and jealous when I read that Ray Davies review of Revolver. What The Beatles and The Kinks were doing at the time really isn’t that dissimilar… except that The Beatles were *way* ahead of the curve, Sunny Afternoon aside.
Yes, Good Day Sunshine deserves its place. It’s a delightful song. For gods sake, who else but the. Beatles could compose and perform the variety of songs found on Revolver?
Thanks for the shoutOUT to Meade Lux Lewis (too often and unfairly overlooked)!!!! I appreciate the homework you do for each segment (as well as the commitment of the "correspondents"). The preparation makes your videos stand out in the best of ways. Always a treat. Thanks!
People forget that Ringo's family also had singalong parties around the piano. It was very common among families of their class. Paul has said that he assumed all families were like this until he met John. But now he seems to have gone the other way, believing somehow that his family was more unique than it was.
As a wordie I’d add an observation. The first stanza is all first person “I need to laugh… …I got something I can laugh about… …I feel good… I’m in love…” There’s an odd rhyming couplet just dropped in between choruses. It’s now plural. “We take a walk...” Finally it’s two people both enjoying each other - and mostly third person. “Then we lie… …I love her and she’s loving me… She feels good… she knows she’s looking fine… …I’m so proud to know that she is mine” 🤗
Your breadth of music knowledge is astounding! It's interesting how both Paul and Brian Wilson drew deeply from old pop forms. I've been trying to find some good classical dance hall music to vibe to but oddly elusive. Brian on the other hand was nuts about the Four Freshmen and his father's affinity for exotica. The album Friends I particular has some awesome exotica/bossanova tinged moments ✨
I absolutely adored this song. First, I love all things Paul and this is a lovely encapsulation of his strongest efforts, melodically, harmonically, lyrically, Once I "discovered" The Beatles after the release of "Hey Jude," I could not get enough of The Beatles. This was the first album I purchased after that discovery. I was a typical stunted American, cripled by the criminally distorted Capitol version of this album. It deleted the natural followup to this song - "And Your Bird Can Sing." I do wish you would have noted the amazing impact of the riff that followed the wonderful fade out of this song, but I understand why you didn't. That crashing first note is the perfect antidote to the dreamy conclusion of "Sunshine."
I often break into this tune spontaneously when spring sun follows grey winters... So, "YEA!" (Does any Beatles song deserve a "NAY" in any context? Not for me. Another amazing vid, Nancy, with an uncredited "ResearchCorrespondent" coming up with the brilliant clips of LennyB discussing the song of the day! Pure brilliance
Another awesome video that presents a classic song in an easy-to-understand manner. I discovered The Beatles thanks to my Dad's albums in 1980. I made tapes of them to listen to on my boom box. Naturally, I had Rubber Soul and Revolver together on one cassette. So I also think of them as a double album. I can't imagine Revolver without Good Day Sunshine. I learned these songs in the context of the albums they were on versus as single songs. The Beatles were the best at assembling their albums perfectly. Each song fits in the order they are presented on the record. I have read dozens of books about The Beatles and their music but I always learn something new from watching your videos. You are really darn good at this!
I love this song. It's perfect on the album. I always thought it was Ringo saying something after 'she feels good', which I decided was 'she feels me' (it clearly isn't), causing Paul's audible smile to come through. When the song was recorded again for Give My Regards to Broad Street in the 80s, again a voice says something at that point (sounds like they're repeating 'she feels good'), though the reaction is minimal. *just listened again to the 'Lennonist surprise' section - if that is the isolated vocal from the original, it does sound like John repeating 'she feels good' For me that's one of the great things about Fathom's Beatles videos - shining light on things I've always been aware of but never get mentioned. Until now! (also without the vague menace of being told I'll never be able to unhear it).
Great work! Loved your insights on Jim McCartney's influence on Paul. That Sgt. Pepper cover inspiration really shocked me, I had never heard that before. Paul seemed to come from a happy home that was full of music and melody. It is not a surprise that he ends up writing songs that have great melodies and an optimistic and upbeat feel to them. Music reminds him of the great times he had with his dad and the rest of his family. Good point about the Barrelhouse piano. A song that features some great Barrelhouse piano is "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce. Thanks for all your work.
Great review! I think people criticise this song because John Lennon, later, included it in his diss-list of Paul's 'Granny music'. In my mind I see a young Paul out for a post-pot walk and seeing & feeling everything in an irridescent dayglo. It's only a short walk from here to his full-on pot-praise in Got To Get You Into My Life.
Good Day Sunshine is one of my favorite Beatle songs... some little intricacies weaved into a "simple" song.. hard to believe I've seen some critics rate the song as one of their worst.. it definitely is a good sing to start the "B" side of Revolver just as much as "Taxman" starting the "A" side. Your takes are intelligent and your enthusiasm is infectious. You are very talented , a little quirky but that makes you very unique.I don't know any other musicians than can make a submarine...lol
I love the way the cymbals cut. I never thought of it as unintentional but now it’s obvious to me. It works wonderfully to me as it makes way for the vocals which fade out to ethereal bliss.
Hello Again: I've just discovered your Channel and I'm so glad! (You're part of the creme de la creme of video reviewers and analysts on RUclips. Wait: Cream? I'm So Glad? Never mind.) And you love The Beatles! And XTC! Where have you been all my life!?!? That you illustrate or fill-out your analysis with examples of phrases and passages you perform yourself is so admirable. I've already told my Brother and Nephew about you. Cheers, and all the best.
always been a fave since i was a lad, listening to it when it first came out. and now even more so, thanks to your (and Leonard's) astute observations. well done, you're quite good.
"Sometimes it's nice to just be in love and have a picnic." Well said. I can't imagine disliking this song. Found your videos just yesterday. Really enjoying. Thank you!
Great as always Nancy! Love the way you explain music theory in your videos. I learn things and I like that. First heard this song 42 years ago and it is still is a banger!
I know this is a little late to comment, but I thought i would chime in anyway. I love this song. I was introduced to the Beatles via the Red and Blue albums. It was quite a while before I realized that they could release a 4 album greatest hits compilation, and still have a dozen or more songs that were just as good and radio friendly that had never even heard of. So I was super happy when they released all of the British albums on CD. I bought them all Oh, and I am digging your vids. Keep up the good work
Beautifully-Beatific analysis - with Lennie B. in support. "Live in the moment". LOVE how you explain the balance of the album. OF COURSE it deserves a space on Revolver. Enjoy an August day and sing and groove to it as you do whatever on a summer day!
I love Good Day Sunshine and it's always nice to hear a rigorous defence. Despite the barrelhouse piano, I never see this as one of Paul's old-timey numbers. I actually think of it as the sister tune to Lovely Rita, but that's a song concerned with the more earthy aspects of relationships. This is the first of two consecutive McCartney songs on the album where the instrumental break effectively completes the second verse.
"John and I wrote it together at Kenwood, but it was basically mine, and he helped me with it", said Paul about 'Good Day Sunshine' (from Many Years From Now book). So John was not in bed. No need to slander a dead man.
I believe the cymbal cutting off is because they needed room on the track for the additional harmony vocals on the fade out. They’re recording on 4 track machines at this time. Love, love your videos!
ur ear is amazing! u notice so many ‘small’ details that no one else ever seems to pick up on… my fav aspect of the song is the modulation at the end, the way the crashing of the cymbals n boom, boom, boom of the kick drum ends suddenly with that modulation. i luv how the drums when the chorus comes along r jus slightly behind the piano, it deffly gives a waltzy, mid•summers’ day’s breeze kind of feeling.
Thank you, an amazing song, I was super surprised to find it wasn't a favourite amongst Beatles fans. Definitely deserves to be on Revolver. Note: When I'm 64 was released in 1967 but written when Paul was 16 in 1958.
Wow! Gobsmacked. This is such a thoughtful analysis of the song. I learned a lot. Some time ago, wrote and performed in a play in which the characters sing this song as the finale, despite one character's complaint that it was the worst Beatles song ever. Now I see how brilliant it is. Thank you!
A couple of non-Beatle Sun songs - Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun by Pink Floyd and ... Sunshine Daydream part of Sugar Magnolia by The Grateful Dead...
I'm from Germany. Unfortunately, the vocal Intro of the song was used as music for a TV-commercial for "Langnese Honig" a honey brand. It took me two decades not to think of honey while hearing this song! Best regards Siegfried
I enjoy all of your reviews, but the Beatles reviews most of all. I was a Beatles fan before you were born, and perhaps before your parents were born. I have all of their records, and listen to them still. Nonetheless, you ALWAYS point out things I've never noticed! And your musical knowledge is so impressive. I am in awe.
I don’t really have much to say about “Good Day Sunshine.” Other than I love it and have done so pretty much from when I first heard it. Even though I used to tape all my LPs, I still often thought in terms of sides 1 and 2 and after the breathtaking first side of Revolver, “Good Day Sunshine” always felt like a moment to catch my breath before embarking on another side’s great ride. Even now, when I hear the end of “She Said She Said” on my water MP3 player as I’m swimming {its 900+ songs are randomly placed} I’m expecting to hear “Good Day Sunshine” next. Off the top of my head, I’m thinking this may be the first Beatle song that contains only piano, bass and drums. Or let’s say, no guitar. It’s interesting that the other great “weather” song during the Revolver sessions, “Rain,” should be such an electric, arpegiated, melancholy piece of psychedelia. Opposites indeed. Last year, in the school I work in, one of the classes {aged 8-9} were about to do a presentation and “Good Day Sunshine” was one of the songs that was going to be sung. But it was taken off at the last minute when the teacher had a change of mind about the last verse ! Personally, I like everything about it, especially the harmony vocals, the piano solo…..and that great opening line, “I need to laugh.”
Thanks for pointing out John's funny interjection! I had always heard the little smile/laugh in Paul's voice afterwards, but I'd never noticed what prompted it! So cool! I love this song. I'm not surprised that when you heard it at age 6 that you loved it. Children are not bound by preconceptions of what is cool. They just hear music as it it is presented.
The only thing wrong with "Good Day Sunshine" is that it is on the same album as "Eleanor Rigby", Here, There and Everywhere", "For No One", and "Got to Get You into My Life". That is a staggering lineup of songs to compete with.
Have you heard of the curious case of the disappearing tambourine in Taxman? It's much more noticeable when wearing headphones. I think it's in the right channel. It appears after a minute or so into the song, then completely drops out, then about 5 seconds later, it re-appears again. I can only assume it was a mistake that was left in and not really heard until you got more bandwidth and digital sound. That was one of the drawbacks of 4 track. On Beatles tracks, particularly Sgt. Pepper, you would hear strange voices pop up in the background. Many people thought they were leaving subliminal messages in their songs, when in fact it was just due to the deficiencies of the recording process back then.
Yeah, they punched in the "Aah, aah, Mr Wilson" backing vocals into the (Edit: fixed!) guitar overdub track so it was lost there. They *could* have done a reduction to another 4-track to free up a track for the vocals but likely didn't think it was worth the effort and overall quality loss for those short snippets. This is much more obvious in stereo as well, and Revolver was certainly not recorded with stereo in mind. The 4 track-to-4 track reductions would start in earnest on Sgt Pepper.
@@stephendavis5530 Hm, there is a short punched-in silence in the tambourine/shaker track at ~0:42. That's probably a mistake, yeah. I mixed it up (pun not intended) - it's the electric guitar overdub/solo track that's punched into at 1:38 and 1:45 so I have done a quick tape edit of my answer.
It does feel a bit lightweight by the standards of other Revolver tracks, but it’s still forward looking and lovely. Also I absolutely love Blueberry Hill.
good day sunshine is a beaut of a song. writing uplifting music is hard! so much so that it doesn't make a writer light because they're good at it. marrakesh express is another fine example imo. the line 'she knows she's looking fine' is a lovely way of transferring the attention away from what the author is thinking to what she, the object of his love, is thinking. realizing the feelings that may be important 'to her' is a sweet empathetic moment. some good examples of musical precedents. what I would say is that the beatles intermittent englishness is important to those of those of us aware of the generally dominant american music culture. the broad northern vowel sound on 'laugh' is a significant signifier. the refinement of their englishness would probably come in 67. you know as a literature major you've been waiting to slip in a camus reference. outrageous high brow behaviour. however, it's a lovely ☀️ episode.
I don't understand criticism of this song, I always thought it was worthy and fitted perfectly on Revolver. If there are any weaker songs on the album they come later on side 2. And I still love them all.
You (mildly) criticise McCartney's Good Times Coming because its lyric is "about summer, love, joy" but its music "doesn't sound like that." However that isn't what it is about. It seems to me that most people misunderstand this song. 'I was thinking about that summer, so long ago Pack up your bags and yell, "Geronimo!"' The summer of love and joy is a distant *memory,* and the reason the music doesn't sound like Good Day Sunshine is that there is a *cloud* over that memory: 'There was a golden summer Before the war We laughed a lot that summer La-de-da Laughing at the good times coming' You hear the bittersweet irony in that last line? That's where the meaning of the song is.
@@fathommusicnz You're very welcome. I just found this quote from McCartney: "... the third verse is kinda ominous, talking about a great summer before the war; that takes the good-time edge off it. I remember I heard there were a couple of really cracking summers in 1936 and 1937, or whenever, but Hitler was just round the corner. I always imagined people playing a great game of cricket, in their whites, everything as it should be: gentle applause, tea… and then the next year they’re all gonna be off at war. That’s the twist in the tail of that song." (Sound On Sound magazine, October 1986)
Dang I've always simply liked the song. Never knew how complex it was! So basically this song is over the heads of the haters especially the Jack A$$ saying it's corny like the early stuff. FATHOM? That's your channel name 🤔 Well fathom that!? Great Work Lady Fathom! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
Not a fan of thia song, but it does prove that Paul wasn't replaced. The same dude who wrote Silly Love Songs and Ebony and Ivory wrote Good Day Sunshine. Paul's schmaltzy side will not be denied.
In my opinion Revolver is an ALMOST perfect album. The one skip for me is Yellow Submarine, which I just find obnoxious to listen to. But children love it and it’s kind of a novelty song, so they could have made it a single, b/w - I dunno - Good Day Sunshine! Then put Paperback Writer and Rain on the album and you’ve got an epic 10/10. Kind of like if Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane had been on Pepper.
In the end you mentioned the sloppy editing of the cymbals. They sound like being cut off. I think this is done on purpose. I think that the cymbals tape is played backwards. This way they sound like swelling to a climax and when Ringo hits the cymbals they sound like being cut off.
Extra-sparkly cymbals courtesy of Geoff Emerick's liberal use of compressor on the drums (I'm a complete sucker for this drum sound and think the RS124 plugin you now can buy is the greatest thing when recording pop music). This track would not have sounded like this if Norman Smith had stayed on. And that's true for basically all the tracks on Revolver. Yet another strike of Beatle magic where things just align...
I like it but it smacks slightly of easy listening / TOTP / film-score / Mamas & Papas / Tremoloes / Beach Boys - all of which BTW I like & are fine in themselves but we are not talking vintage Beatles - are we?
I’ve never understood peoples dislike for that song. Over the years I’ve had to pull myself back from insulting their taste lol. “Annoyingly optimistic”? you’re talking about the Beatles lol Hello? All you need is love? That is if Black Sabbath put this song out
Anyone who says the early "Beatles" were "corny" has yet to learn how to listen instead of being "superior" based upon baseless and uninformed skepticism. The fear of actually engaging.
@@TheJayson8899I first heard "The Beatles" on Chicago radio in October, 1963. VeeJay Records was a Chicago label, and released "Introducing The Beatles" in August-September, 1963. I next heard them during November-December 1963 on an all-night radio program, when the DJ began playing "I Want to Hold Your Hand," to increasing requests for it. There was something about it -- gritty guitar -- that reminded of Chuck Berry, and yet the recording was an advance on US music, which had been reduced almost exclusively to "dance" songs -- every week another New" three "dances". As the requests continued to increase, the DJ talked about "The Beatles" as being "the latest big thing in England". He then began playing what he said was the "B"B-side of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" -- what turned out to be the "One, two, three. _FAH!-" VeeJay version of "I Saw Her Standing There," which was never released as a single. That too began getting requests. On December 31, 1963, "I Want to Hold your Hand" was "Bubbling Under" the top 20 on a New York station. The next day, January 1, 1964, it was #1 on that same New York station. I was 15 when "The Beatles' hit the US. Not only did they blow the CRAP off the radio, they did they same in local record stores. Their energy was way beyond anyone else's. And they had an enthusiasm, a sense of fun and JOY, that no one else had. They were relaxed on stage, and everyone else was programmed in their movements. "The Beatles" came into the US at #1, booked it with everyone else chasing them, and none of those chasing ever caught them. Their early music reflected but were not confined to their influences. "This Boy" is a "standard" R&B song -- but superior than the typical US R&B of the day. Research their Hamburg stints -- nothing "corny" about that rhythm-and-booze 8 hours per night 7 days per week _WORK._ Hear "The Beatles" with fresh ears: go back and listen to their contemporaries. It isn't "The Beatles" who were "corny". How am I being "overzealous"?
Hello Fathom, I have been meaning to say Hello to you I don’t have an excuse as to why it has taken me this long, your insight together with your research had sparked a fire deep in my soul like (fathom)’s into the depth of the ocean and pause at the images between the headsets of long ago, before stereo, when Mono moved and separated the sounds from left to right speakers. When Jazz, Blues, Spanish Classic Ballets, Islands Dance Rhythms, Folk, and the live band music of the Lawrence Welk Show, when the music came to pass was the birth of Rock-in-Roll and we both know the ones that did best. Well along my path of the musical brick road, a name came to mind I formally introduced you to a 19-year-old guitar Phenom, in 1971 (Al DiMeola,) who joined a band that found itself as many bands of that era, penniless and hitless exploring sounds that would become Fusion (Rock-Jazz). ruclips.net/user/clipUgkxsAfOBCYcgkvUX2i5oc4sLrZIT4ITm0tg?si=tLMRrG4aFVV7sh7h
Enjoying once again to relive and rediscover songs of yesterday, unfolded and perspectivized by your knowledge, empathy and temperament. Such a delight. And always loved this short, impactful and distinct Beatles/McCartney tune - hard to imagine Revolver without it 😊
In an alternate universe, the Beatles saved Paperback Writer for the Revolver album and put out the single Good Day Sunshine / Rain .
Oooooh, good call!
Nice idea ;-)
Clever idea, but Paperback Writer was a number one hit song and that wouldn't have happened if it was on the album.
no just add Paperback Writer and rain to make 16
I dunno, I still love Sun King too.
Don't sleep on I'll Follow The Sun, either.
😊
A tie for first place! I like it.
Good Day Sunshine, opening side two of the record, is a bouncy stroll with your lover to a park where you can delight in each other's company, nature and the sunshine. The music, deceptively simple like so many of Paul's songs of that era, cleverly but naturally employs rhythmic changes that set up the listener for the halo of gold that arrives with the ecstatic choruses. The constant by ways provided by the cheeky key changes reflect the paths taken to the destination - beautifully constructed but not clunky - till we land in some sort of nirvana. It's a brilliant example of how to express a feeling that is so hard to explain merely in words and the Beatles arrangement and performance is masterly. Hell yes, it fully deserves it's place on arguably the greatest album of all time!
An incredible commentary on a great song.
Years ago, I met a young lady and she agreed to go out with me. When I went back to my shared flat I asked permission to play ONE song at high volume - we were supposed to keep things quiet - and this was the song I picked.
It's pure happiness from start to finish and the change-up at the end just leaves you wanting more.
Thank you for a fantstic and detailed commentary on one of my faves.
BTW I tried to subscribe and it didn't work - your site doesn't accept my card for some reason.
Thank you very much! Did you mean on BuyMeACoffee? I wonder whether the site is down? Thank you for letting me know.
@@fathommusicnz That must be what he means. You obviously don't have to pay to subscribe.....though I have to say, years ago when I started using RUclips, I did think that! 🤣🤣
seeing as ray davies is the guy who wrote village green preservation society i’m not surprised he’s nostalgic for old-school beatles!
It always comes across as a bit bitter and jealous when I read that Ray Davies review of Revolver. What The Beatles and The Kinks were doing at the time really isn’t that dissimilar… except that The Beatles were *way* ahead of the curve, Sunny Afternoon aside.
Good Day Sunshine has always been for me one of the highlights of Revolver. I love the upbeat, sunny vibe of this song.
Yes, Good Day Sunshine deserves its place. It’s a delightful song. For gods sake, who else but the. Beatles could compose and perform the variety of songs found on Revolver?
I still haven’t heard any other album as varied as Revolver and the white album.
@TheJayson8899 my 2 favorites maybe ever
Thanks for the shoutOUT to Meade Lux Lewis (too often and unfairly overlooked)!!!! I appreciate the homework you do for each segment (as well as the commitment of the "correspondents"). The preparation makes your videos stand out in the best of ways. Always a treat. Thanks!
The thing you mentioned with the cymbals cutting at the end, I think it adds to the song...
People forget that Ringo's family also had singalong parties around the piano. It was very common among families of their class. Paul has said that he assumed all families were like this until he met John. But now he seems to have gone the other way, believing somehow that his family was more unique than it was.
As a wordie I’d add an observation.
The first stanza is all first person “I need to laugh… …I got something I can laugh about… …I feel good… I’m in love…”
There’s an odd rhyming couplet just dropped in between choruses. It’s now plural.
“We take a walk...”
Finally it’s two people both enjoying each other - and mostly third person.
“Then we lie… …I love her and she’s loving me… She feels good… she knows she’s looking fine… …I’m so proud to know that she is mine”
🤗
Your breadth of music knowledge is astounding! It's interesting how both Paul and Brian Wilson drew deeply from old pop forms. I've been trying to find some good classical dance hall music to vibe to but oddly elusive. Brian on the other hand was nuts about the Four Freshmen and his father's affinity for exotica. The album Friends I particular has some awesome exotica/bossanova tinged moments ✨
A great song on a great album. You and Lenny explain it... greatly.
This was great! And I agree that it's a pretty special song. I used to play it as a street musician and its pretty tricky.
I absolutely adored this song. First, I love all things Paul and this is a lovely encapsulation of his strongest efforts, melodically, harmonically, lyrically, Once I "discovered" The Beatles after the release of "Hey Jude," I could not get enough of The Beatles. This was the first album I purchased after that discovery. I was a typical stunted American, cripled by the criminally distorted Capitol version of this album. It deleted the natural followup to this song - "And Your Bird Can Sing." I do wish you would have noted the amazing impact of the riff that followed the wonderful fade out of this song, but I understand why you didn't. That crashing first note is the perfect antidote to the dreamy conclusion of "Sunshine."
I am loving your work on this channel. Awesome.
I often break into this tune spontaneously when spring sun follows grey winters... So, "YEA!" (Does any Beatles song deserve a "NAY" in any context? Not for me.
Another amazing vid, Nancy, with an uncredited "ResearchCorrespondent" coming up with the brilliant clips of LennyB discussing the song of the day! Pure brilliance
Another awesome video that presents a classic song in an easy-to-understand manner. I discovered The Beatles thanks to my Dad's albums in 1980. I made tapes of them to listen to on my boom box. Naturally, I had Rubber Soul and Revolver together on one cassette. So I also think of them as a double album. I can't imagine Revolver without Good Day Sunshine. I learned these songs in the context of the albums they were on versus as single songs. The Beatles were the best at assembling their albums perfectly. Each song fits in the order they are presented on the record. I have read dozens of books about The Beatles and their music but I always learn something new from watching your videos. You are really darn good at this!
I love this song. It's perfect on the album. I always thought it was Ringo saying something after 'she feels good', which I decided was 'she feels me' (it clearly isn't), causing Paul's audible smile to come through. When the song was recorded again for Give My Regards to Broad Street in the 80s, again a voice says something at that point (sounds like they're repeating 'she feels good'), though the reaction is minimal.
*just listened again to the 'Lennonist surprise' section - if that is the isolated vocal from the original, it does sound like John repeating 'she feels good'
For me that's one of the great things about Fathom's Beatles videos - shining light on things I've always been aware of but never get mentioned. Until now! (also without the vague menace of being told I'll never be able to unhear it).
Great work! Loved your insights on Jim McCartney's influence on Paul. That Sgt. Pepper cover inspiration really shocked me, I had never heard that before. Paul seemed to come from a happy home that was full of music and melody. It is not a surprise that he ends up writing songs that have great melodies and an optimistic and upbeat feel to them. Music reminds him of the great times he had with his dad and the rest of his family. Good point about the Barrelhouse piano. A song that features some great Barrelhouse piano is "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce. Thanks for all your work.
I also did not know about the Jim McCartney photo influence! It's so sweet honestly
Oh man, you're right about the Croce tune! Great call!
Great review! I think people criticise this song because John Lennon, later, included it in his diss-list of Paul's 'Granny music'. In my mind I see a young Paul out for a post-pot walk and seeing & feeling everything in an irridescent dayglo. It's only a short walk from here to his full-on pot-praise in Got To Get You Into My Life.
I fail to see why people rank this song so poorly.
Revolver is a Jenga album. Remove one song at your peril.
Capital Records, the Beatles US label, removed 3 songs, all of them written by John Lennon .....
@@DoctorInsomnia-qw7us oh yes, I grew up with the UK version - otherwise I guess you needed Yesterday and Today to complete the set.
Good Day Sunshine always sounded like the theme to a kids' TV show. That made me like it back when I myself was a tot.
Fun fact: The piano solo was recorded really slow by George Martin, and then the recording was sped up to give it a nice effect.
Good Day Sunshine is one of my favorite Beatle songs... some little intricacies weaved into a "simple" song.. hard to believe I've seen some critics rate the song as one of their worst.. it definitely is a good sing to start the "B" side of Revolver just as much as "Taxman" starting the "A" side.
Your takes are intelligent and your enthusiasm is infectious. You are very talented , a little quirky but that makes you very unique.I don't know any other musicians than can make a submarine...lol
Quirky is a good thing! No “but” about it!
I love the way the cymbals cut. I never thought of it as unintentional but now it’s obvious to me. It works wonderfully to me as it makes way for the vocals which fade out to ethereal bliss.
Hello Again: I've just discovered your Channel and I'm so glad! (You're part of the creme de la creme of video reviewers and analysts on RUclips. Wait: Cream? I'm So Glad? Never mind.) And you love The Beatles! And XTC! Where have you been all my life!?!?
That you illustrate or fill-out your analysis with examples of phrases and passages you perform yourself is so admirable. I've already told my Brother and Nephew about you.
Cheers, and all the best.
Brilliant Fathom . You nail it every time.Your research pays off and you explain it so well.
Keep on keeping on.
Thank you
always been a fave since i was a lad, listening to it when it first came out. and now even more so, thanks to your (and Leonard's) astute observations. well done, you're quite good.
"Sometimes it's nice to just be in love and have a picnic."
Well said.
I can't imagine disliking this song.
Found your videos just yesterday. Really enjoying. Thank you!
Ringo grabbed the cymbals at the end.
Great as always Nancy! Love the way you explain music theory in your videos. I learn things and I like that. First heard this song 42 years ago and it is still is a banger!
Just reading the song title got that song stuck in my head. Good day sunshine!
I know this is a little late to comment, but I thought i would chime in anyway. I love this song. I was introduced to the Beatles via the Red and Blue albums. It was quite a while before I realized that they could release a 4 album greatest hits compilation, and still have a dozen or more songs that were just as good and radio friendly that had never even heard of. So I was super happy when they released all of the British albums on CD. I bought them all
Oh, and I am digging your vids. Keep up the good work
Beautifully-Beatific analysis - with Lennie B. in support. "Live in the moment". LOVE how you explain the balance of the album. OF COURSE it deserves a space on Revolver. Enjoy an August day and sing and groove to it as you do whatever on a summer day!
A nice, fun song.
I love Good Day Sunshine and it's always nice to hear a rigorous defence. Despite the barrelhouse piano, I never see this as one of Paul's old-timey numbers. I actually think of it as the sister tune to Lovely Rita, but that's a song concerned with the more earthy aspects of relationships. This is the first of two consecutive McCartney songs on the album where the instrumental break effectively completes the second verse.
"John and I wrote it together at Kenwood, but it was basically mine, and he helped me with it", said Paul about 'Good Day Sunshine' (from Many Years From Now book). So John was not in bed. No need to slander a dead man.
It was a joke… lighten up.
I believe the cymbal cutting off is because they needed room on the track for the additional harmony vocals on the fade out. They’re recording on 4 track machines at this time. Love, love your videos!
ur ear is amazing! u notice so many ‘small’ details that no one else ever seems to pick up on…
my fav aspect of the song is the modulation at the end, the way the crashing of the cymbals n boom, boom, boom of the kick drum ends suddenly with that modulation. i luv how the drums when the chorus comes along r jus slightly behind the piano, it deffly gives a waltzy, mid•summers’ day’s breeze kind of feeling.
Thank you, an amazing song, I was super surprised to find it wasn't a favourite amongst Beatles fans. Definitely deserves to be on Revolver.
Note: When I'm 64 was released in 1967 but written when Paul was 16 in 1958.
new to your show.....love it. thank you
✌️♥️
Wow! Gobsmacked. This is such a thoughtful analysis of the song. I learned a lot. Some time ago, wrote and performed in a play in which the characters sing this song as the finale, despite one character's complaint that it was the worst Beatles song ever. Now I see how brilliant it is. Thank you!
I think Revolver is the Beatles starting to experiment with all sorts of things. One of my favorite albums by the lads
A couple of non-Beatle Sun songs -
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun by Pink Floyd and ...
Sunshine Daydream part of Sugar Magnolia by The Grateful Dead...
I'm from Germany.
Unfortunately, the vocal Intro of the song was used as music for a TV-commercial for "Langnese Honig" a honey brand.
It took me two decades not to think of honey while hearing this song!
Best regards Siegfried
It is great the amount of work and in-depth breakdown you put into these videos but I love them because you are so fun to watch!! Keep it up!
Enjoyable review. Revolver is my pick for the best Beatles LP
Only legends know this was uploaded earlier and removed.
"Good Day Sunshine" has always been my favorite Beatle song. It may not be their best, but still my favorite. Thanks for featuring it.
Amazed that Good Day Sunshine is underrated. I'll go with "Lenny" on this one.
I enjoy all of your reviews, but the Beatles reviews most of all. I was a Beatles fan before you were born, and perhaps before your parents were born. I have all of their records, and listen to them still. Nonetheless, you ALWAYS point out things I've never noticed! And your musical knowledge is so impressive. I am in awe.
That paper mache is looking great so far!
I don’t really have much to say about “Good Day Sunshine.” Other than I love it and have done so pretty much from when I first heard it. Even though I used to tape all my LPs, I still often thought in terms of sides 1 and 2 and after the breathtaking first side of Revolver, “Good Day Sunshine” always felt like a moment to catch my breath before embarking on another side’s great ride. Even now, when I hear the end of “She Said She Said” on my water MP3 player as I’m swimming {its 900+ songs are randomly placed} I’m expecting to hear “Good Day Sunshine” next.
Off the top of my head, I’m thinking this may be the first Beatle song that contains only piano, bass and drums. Or let’s say, no guitar. It’s interesting that the other great “weather” song during the Revolver sessions, “Rain,” should be such an electric, arpegiated, melancholy piece of psychedelia. Opposites indeed.
Last year, in the school I work in, one of the classes {aged 8-9} were about to do a presentation and “Good Day Sunshine” was one of the songs that was going to be sung. But it was taken off at the last minute when the teacher had a change of mind about the last verse !
Personally, I like everything about it, especially the harmony vocals, the piano solo…..and that great opening line, “I need to laugh.”
Absolutely great video!
Love your channel!
Thanks for pointing out John's funny interjection! I had always heard the little smile/laugh in Paul's voice afterwards, but I'd never noticed what prompted it! So cool!
I love this song. I'm not surprised that when you heard it at age 6 that you loved it. Children are not bound by preconceptions of what is cool. They just hear music as it it is presented.
Love the song. Never understood why fans dislike it. It's a perfect feel good tune.
People often mistake “feel good” as corny and shallow. Let them wallow in the melancholy, the depressing bastards.
You talk about the Tin Pan Alley and barrelhouse influences. I think of this as one of Paul’s “doo-wacka-doo” songs. It’s one of his trademark sounds.
I love this song for similar emotional reasons that I love Martha my dear and where it's placed on the white album
Submarine is coming along Great!
The only thing wrong with "Good Day Sunshine" is that it is on the same album as "Eleanor Rigby", Here, There and Everywhere", "For No One", and "Got to Get You into My Life". That is a staggering lineup of songs to compete with.
Have you heard of the curious case of the disappearing tambourine in Taxman? It's much more noticeable when wearing headphones. I think it's in the right channel. It appears after a minute or so into the song, then completely drops out, then about 5 seconds later, it re-appears again. I can only assume it was a mistake that was left in and not really heard until you got more bandwidth and digital sound. That was one of the drawbacks of 4 track. On Beatles tracks, particularly Sgt. Pepper, you would hear strange voices pop up in the background. Many people thought they were leaving subliminal messages in their songs, when in fact it was just due to the deficiencies of the recording process back then.
Yeah, they punched in the "Aah, aah, Mr Wilson" backing vocals into the (Edit: fixed!) guitar overdub track so it was lost there. They *could* have done a reduction to another 4-track to free up a track for the vocals but likely didn't think it was worth the effort and overall quality loss for those short snippets. This is much more obvious in stereo as well, and Revolver was certainly not recorded with stereo in mind. The 4 track-to-4 track reductions would start in earnest on Sgt Pepper.
@@bjornerikroth No, it first happens well before the "Ahh...Mr Wilson" part. It happens about just over a minute into the song.
@@stephendavis5530 Hm, there is a short punched-in silence in the tambourine/shaker track at ~0:42. That's probably a mistake, yeah. I mixed it up (pun not intended) - it's the electric guitar overdub/solo track that's punched into at 1:38 and 1:45 so I have done a quick tape edit of my answer.
@@bjornerikroth That's a fantastic and very original guitar solo by Paul, by the way.
It does feel a bit lightweight by the standards of other Revolver tracks, but it’s still forward looking and lovely.
Also I absolutely love Blueberry Hill.
Thank you for another joyous video. I Appreciate the work and enthusiasm you put into them, as always
good day sunshine is a beaut of a song. writing uplifting music is hard! so much so that it doesn't make a writer light because they're good at it. marrakesh express is another fine example imo. the line 'she knows she's looking fine' is a lovely way of transferring the attention away from what the author is thinking to what she, the object of his love, is thinking. realizing the feelings that may be important 'to her' is a sweet empathetic moment.
some good examples of musical precedents. what I would say is that the beatles intermittent englishness is important to those of those of us aware of the generally dominant american music culture. the broad northern vowel sound on 'laugh' is a significant signifier. the refinement of their englishness would probably come in 67.
you know as a literature major you've been waiting to slip in a camus reference. outrageous high brow behaviour. however, it's a lovely ☀️ episode.
Some salient points here, Alan. I particularly like your thoughts about the decision to ACCENTuate regional inflections. Sorry, I had to.
I discovered that the verse chord progression is the same as the bluegrass song Salty Dog. Makes a nice mash up.
the submarine looks great!
I'm in love with you. I can listen to you & experience your passion & presence forever !
I don't understand criticism of this song, I always thought it was worthy and fitted perfectly on Revolver. If there are any weaker songs on the album they come later on side 2. And I still love them all.
You (mildly) criticise McCartney's Good Times Coming because its lyric is "about summer, love, joy" but its music "doesn't sound like that." However that isn't what it is about. It seems to me that most people misunderstand this song.
'I was thinking about that summer, so long ago
Pack up your bags and yell, "Geronimo!"'
The summer of love and joy is a distant *memory,* and the reason the music doesn't sound like Good Day Sunshine is that there is a *cloud* over that memory:
'There was a golden summer
Before the war
We laughed a lot that summer
La-de-da
Laughing at the good times coming'
You hear the bittersweet irony in that last line? That's where the meaning of the song is.
Oof, I love that reading. Thank you for that.
@@fathommusicnz You're very welcome. I just found this quote from McCartney:
"... the third verse is kinda ominous, talking about a great summer before the war; that takes the good-time edge off it. I remember I heard there were a couple of really cracking summers in 1936 and 1937, or whenever, but Hitler was just round the corner. I always imagined people playing a great game of cricket, in their whites, everything as it should be: gentle applause, tea… and then the next year they’re all gonna be off at war. That’s the twist in the tail of that song." (Sound On Sound magazine, October 1986)
So glad i found this channel, instant sub! Your accent is very interesting, did you happen to attend international schools as a kid?
Good guess! Born in NZ, moved around a lot as a kid.
@@fathommusicnz Ahhh I knew I heard a hint of Kiwi! (Or South African but i guessed Kiwi)
Dang I've always simply liked the song. Never knew how complex it was! So basically this song is over the heads of the haters especially the Jack A$$ saying it's corny like the early stuff. FATHOM? That's your channel name 🤔 Well fathom that!? Great Work Lady Fathom! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
Not a fan of thia song, but it does prove that Paul wasn't replaced. The same dude who wrote Silly Love Songs and Ebony and Ivory wrote Good Day Sunshine. Paul's schmaltzy side will not be denied.
In my opinion Revolver is an ALMOST perfect album. The one skip for me is Yellow Submarine, which I just find obnoxious to listen to. But children love it and it’s kind of a novelty song, so they could have made it a single, b/w - I dunno - Good Day Sunshine! Then put Paperback Writer and Rain on the album and you’ve got an epic 10/10. Kind of like if Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane had been on Pepper.
In the end you mentioned the sloppy editing of the cymbals. They sound like being cut off. I think this is done on purpose.
I think that the cymbals tape is played backwards. This way they sound like swelling to a climax and when Ringo hits the cymbals they sound like being cut off.
From the album "Abbey Road, the George Harrison song "Here Comes the Sun" was the best
Extra-sparkly cymbals courtesy of Geoff Emerick's liberal use of compressor on the drums (I'm a complete sucker for this drum sound and think the RS124 plugin you now can buy is the greatest thing when recording pop music). This track would not have sounded like this if Norman Smith had stayed on. And that's true for basically all the tracks on Revolver. Yet another strike of Beatle magic where things just align...
I like it but it smacks slightly of easy listening / TOTP / film-score / Mamas & Papas / Tremoloes / Beach Boys - all of which BTW I like & are fine in themselves but we are not talking vintage Beatles - are we?
I’ve never understood peoples dislike for that song. Over the years I’ve had to pull myself back from insulting their taste lol. “Annoyingly optimistic”? you’re talking about the Beatles lol Hello? All you need is love? That is if Black Sabbath put this song out
What happened to 3-part harmony in pop songs?
Anyone who says the early "Beatles" were "corny" has yet to learn how to listen instead of being "superior" based upon baseless and uninformed skepticism. The fear of actually engaging.
While I think you’re being overzealous, I certainly agree that people grossly underestimate early Beatles.
@@TheJayson8899I first heard "The Beatles" on Chicago radio in October, 1963. VeeJay Records was a Chicago label, and released "Introducing The Beatles" in August-September, 1963.
I next heard them during November-December 1963 on an all-night radio program, when the DJ began playing "I Want to Hold Your Hand," to increasing requests for it. There was something about it -- gritty guitar -- that reminded of Chuck Berry, and yet the recording was an advance on US music, which had been reduced almost exclusively to "dance" songs -- every week another New" three "dances".
As the requests continued to increase, the DJ talked about "The Beatles" as being "the latest big thing in England". He then began playing what he said was the "B"B-side of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" -- what turned out to be the "One, two, three. _FAH!-" VeeJay version of "I Saw Her Standing There," which was never released as a single. That too began getting requests.
On December 31, 1963, "I Want to Hold your Hand" was "Bubbling Under" the top 20 on a New York station. The next day, January 1, 1964, it was #1 on that same New York station.
I was 15 when "The Beatles' hit the US. Not only did they blow the CRAP off the radio, they did they same in local record stores.
Their energy was way beyond anyone else's. And they had an enthusiasm, a sense of fun and JOY, that no one else had. They were relaxed on stage, and everyone else was programmed in their movements.
"The Beatles" came into the US at #1, booked it with everyone else chasing them, and none of those chasing ever caught them.
Their early music reflected but were not confined to their influences. "This Boy" is a "standard" R&B song -- but superior than the typical US R&B of the day. Research their Hamburg stints -- nothing "corny" about that rhythm-and-booze 8 hours per night 7 days per week _WORK._
Hear "The Beatles" with fresh ears: go back and listen to their contemporaries. It isn't "The Beatles" who were "corny".
How am I being "overzealous"?
Care to weigh in lenny 😂 guest piano correspondent
I almost see some lonliness or pain in your eyes when you talked about being in love with someone.
"Reddit" isn't especially relevant.
Hello Fathom, I have been meaning to say Hello to you I don’t have an excuse as to why it has taken me this long, your insight together with your research had sparked a fire deep in my soul like (fathom)’s into the depth of the ocean and pause at the images between the headsets of long ago, before stereo, when Mono moved and separated the sounds from left to right speakers. When Jazz, Blues, Spanish Classic Ballets, Islands Dance Rhythms, Folk, and the live band music of the Lawrence Welk Show, when the music came to pass was the birth of Rock-in-Roll and we both know the ones that did best. Well along my path of the musical brick road, a name came to mind I formally introduced you to a 19-year-old guitar Phenom, in 1971 (Al DiMeola,) who joined a band that found itself as many bands of that era, penniless and hitless exploring sounds that would become Fusion (Rock-Jazz).
ruclips.net/user/clipUgkxsAfOBCYcgkvUX2i5oc4sLrZIT4ITm0tg?si=tLMRrG4aFVV7sh7h
Enjoying once again to relive and rediscover songs of yesterday, unfolded and perspectivized by your knowledge, empathy and temperament. Such a delight. And always loved this short, impactful and distinct Beatles/McCartney tune - hard to imagine Revolver without it 😊