The Beatles are still a wonder. By rights no band like that should have existed. But they did. They were that good. A miracle of nature. Thanks for another superb show.
Wow - this takes me back to a night in Ashtabua, Ohio after a communty theater rehearsal. I sat with three friends, drinking bad coffee, smoking English Oval cigarettes, and talking about this song until, finally, the owner threw us out into a snowy night. My friends - 2 girls and a guy - and I wound up sitting in a car down by Lake Erie talking about music until the sun came up. Not long after that I joined the Army and never saw them again but every time I hear this song my mind goes back to that very cool night when life was full of possibiities and we were convinced that music was more than a few notes on a page. Thanks.
You and your friends were and still are right. Music isn't notes on a page, bits of iron on a piece of tape, grooves on a record, or bits of binary code...those are just ways of recording, or saving it. It doesn't become music until it is heard or felt.
ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. Unfortunately, so many people still don't get this point. The Beatles were truly groundbreaking in every way. They deserve every bit of the respect they've earned from the Worldwide Music Community.
Actually "Norwegian Wood" IS the first rock song recorded with a sitar. On the Kinks "see my friends " the always underrated Dave Davies got the sitar sound by playing a 12 string inches from an amp . This produced a fuzzy droning effect. Genius Dave! The Yardbirds "Heart full of Soul" story is even more wild. Gromelski, the band's manager hired a tabla player and a sitar player. The tabla got the rhythm right but the sitar player was all over the place. After quite a bit of frustration the band didn't know what to do. Their new guitarist shrugged his shoulders and said "I can do this sound " and played a restrained but driving riff,with amazing string bending through his newly invented 'fuzz box' He also kept the D string open to imitate the sitar droning. Everyone was amazed and the guitarist laid down the track you hear on the recording. Yep Jeff Beck could make his guitar sound like anything!
I am so so glad I was born in 1954! Had I not been, I would have missed the Beatles experience, starting with their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, a memory that is still fresh in my mind as I make my way to age 70. It is literally impossible for me to pick a favorite Beatles song, as they are all masterpieces in my mind. I will say one thing though, I never doubted for a single second that George Harrison was by far the most talented of the four when it came to solo careers, a belief confirmed with the the release of his album All Things Must Pass and ending with everything he performed afterwards, both on stage and in recordings, at least in my opinion. Paul McCartney would be second on the list, followed by John and then Ringo. Ok, one more thing, I am not excited at reaching the age of 70! If I had one wish right now, it would be to go back in time to that Sunday evening with me and my three siblings, super excited for the Beatles to make their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, with my parents sitting there on the couch wondering if they had made the right decision to let us all watch! I'm so thankful that from an early age, my parents, may they rest in peace, gave us kids the freedom to make decisions on our own, based on the teachings they gave us between right and wrong. Thanks again Adam, you're the best!
I’m right there with you brother. I too was born in 1954 and like you the Beatles changed my life with the Ed Sullivan appearance. I Want to Hold Your Hand instantly made all the rest of music sound old and outdated.
I was born in 1977, my first memory is of my dad telling my mom John had been killed. To me The Beatles are the greatest band ever. My son was born in 2012 and he loves them also. That goes to show their legacy.
1954, what a year!.Dont agree that George is the most talented Beatle.Not even close.Taxman is a hell of a track on a heck of an album and yes he wrote arguably the best tracks on the last 3 albums but what riches he's up against.
Thank you for exploring how incredibly fast the Beatles grew as artists and musicians. They were constantly experimenting and were the first to use many new techniques in the recording studio that were used for decades afterwards. They were far more influential than most people realize.
Agreeing that George Martin (with a close watch of Paul) was very instrumental in the experimental techniques. Paul did a live performance with the recording machines (of the day) and explained the processes. I don't remember the title of McCarney's modern-day performance. George Martin was sometimes referred to the 5th Beatle.
@starla. As far as this OP comment goes... Darn near everyone who was over the age of 5 at the time totally recognized their genius, and how influential they were. It's only today's young people, who are living in a completely different reality, and haven't heard much of their music, and certainly not in the same context, that don't appreciate it the same way. But it would be ridiculous to expect them to. When we were younger did we appreciate music that was 50 and 60 years old? Of course not! (I have no idea how old you are, but that is the same for every generation.) Sorry Starla. This isn't meant as a dig against you at all. But everyone who really cares about music most definately does realize their genius and influence, even a great many young people. Just look at the videos of people reacting to their first hearing of Beatles' songs. And keep in mind, people's ears need to be trained to appreciate music. I hated Reggae when I first heard it. A young person today has ears that were trained completely differently than ours were way back then, yet so many of them still love these songs! I do understand though, that not having lived through the progression of rock music from the start, it wouldn't be possible for these people now to understand how influential they were. The level of that influence is nothing short of astounding! There has never been anything else like it! So in that sense, yes. And it's not the people's fault that they weren't around at the time. Everyone who was around is very aware of how influencial they were, but some younger people aren't. It took me a lot of talking to myself, but in the end I do sort of agree with you. Sort of. All the best to you! And thanks for a very thought provoking comment! 😉 ✌🏼
@@cattymajiv It didn’t help that when the iPod came out and music turned digital, the Beatles did not release their music digitally for well over a decade because they were afraid of digital theft. There’s a whole generation of Millennials out there who, statistically, don’t know the Beatle’s songs simply because they weren’t available the way they purchased music at the time.
She loves you is a perfect pop song. Just over 2 minutes. Starts with a drum fill directly into a Chorus as well as the 3 part harmony at the end. It’s like watching fireworks with hooks all over the place
I used to think of she loves you as pop song. It wasn’t til I learned to play it properly that I realized this is straight up rock song. The guitar leads thru the song and especially after the “and you know that can’t be bad” parts weren’t as easy as I thought they were and they were very inventive and not your typical pop sound. The mood changes at the “and you know you should be glad”. The drums which sound a bit tribal at times and the sudden acapella stop towards the end of the song changed my mind.
Yeah it’s like a perfect song. When I said pop. I ment it fit neatly under the 3 minutes and all the hooks. I play Paul McCartney as a Beatles impersonator. I also know the song
@@johnhepburn538 yeah I hear you, it was a short tune which was the norm at they time. I don’t think I can name song from the 50s or early 60s that lasted 10-15mins. That came later.
Even the lyrics have the take of a reported conversation. ( she loves You ). Remembering back. Was there a better feeling then knowing someone you liked loves you
One of the often overlooked powers of Norwegian Wood is its extreme simplicity. Think of this: it comprises only two melodical phrases; the one that belongs to the verses (I once had a girl or should I said she once had me?) and the one which belongs to the middle eight (She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere)... And that is the whole song, which by means of repeating those same phrases a few times, appears to the listener as more complex than it really is. I think that's what they call it ART.
"Rubber Soul" was indeed the point of departure for their works. Lennon was exceptionally skilled at keeping details of certain songs shrouded in mystery. This song is a prime example.
There can’t be a favourite Beatles song! Tomorrow it will be different. I bought every Beatles song the day after it was released. They are all in my blood. ❤
Ahh The Beatles. Essentially all of their songs just have an aura of iconicness to them, controversial or not! Gotta love them for always pushing the boundaries with every year, and every album.
Back in the late 70's, I had an argument with a friend. I asked him what he thought the Beatles' "transition" album was, meaning when did their music change from the "usual" to the "extraordinary?" He insisted it was Revolver. I insisted it was "Rubber Soul." When he asked, "How do you figure?" I said two words, "Norwegian Wood." Thank you, Professor, for clearing this up.
Ask any Beatles fan what the best album was, you get Abbey Road, The White Album or Revolver. I think Rubber Soul was underrated. It was the bridge from the innocent Love Me Do to their evolution into The Long and Winding Road. It's introspective and mind opening. I believe it was the band's coming of age album.
White album is 50% throwaway garbage. Piggies? Rev #9... they're in a who cares kind of mind set imo anyway. Abbey, Rubber, and Revolver but dont forget Hard Days Night which is one fantastic song after another.
They didn't really go for concept albums per se,as with...say 'Sgt Pepper' or 'Magical Mystery' (to a degree) just a bunch of songs 'good to go' type of thing but the quality of them was all conquering.Pepper suffered by excluding Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, (George Martin long lamented their exclusion) and also 'Rubber Soul' for excluding 'Rain' and 'Paperback Writer', (two of their killers of that period maybe ) ?...,probably at the behest of their record companies commercial requirements?...'Gotta get a single out guys'' ? l would love to see these 4 songs repatriated and maybe 'prune the weaker songs potentially ? (controversial).The best Beatle album is the one i burned myself,sans the dead wood.
It's amazing how every Beatle can write lyrics and compose music that are based from their experience...and some songs became classics and covered by so many of today's musicians.
Though you almost feel sorry for George. He was an amazing songwriter, but was overshadowed by Lennon and McCartney during the Beatles era. And even now barely mentioned when it comes to songwriting.
@@mollkatless Yes! He wrote Octopuses’ Garden at a very low point in his life. He had seen a documentary on how they build and “tend” their own gardens. He said that was the happiest thing he had seen in a long time and he wrote the lyrics. It was several years after the song’s release that I heard this interview. At that time I was going through my own low times. And learning this gave me a happy thing to think about. I went to the library (because, no internet back then) and looked up octopuses’ gardens. They exist! Not long after that I found a nature special on PBS about the habits of our 8-armed friends and the film included one of them tending his garden. Was it the same thing Ringo had watched? I’ll never know. But anytime I start to get down, I listen to Ringo and watch these amazing creatures on the internet. The four of them truly are the soundtrack to my life.
This is actually my favorite Beatles song and they’re a ton of runner-ups. I love the second bridge the most where Ringo plays the kick drum and Paul’s Harmony just makes it magical.
Everything before Rubber Soul was very, very good ...but it sounded like its time. ...Everything Rubber Soul and after was absolutely revolutionary and sounds timeless. And FYI, every time I tell that theory to my dad, who grew up with the Beatles, he gets so mad he stops talking to me for the day.
@@Whisper_292 He's a Beatle fanatic. In his eyes everything they ever did is like magic gospel handed down from Olympus and anyone saying otherwise is blaspheming against his heroes. He goes just as hard for Bob Dylan. I get it 100% as I feel much the same about Led Zeppelin, DLR era Van Halen, Portishead and Tool ...but you gotta be reasonable 🤦♂️
You hit all the main points on this song. Did your homework. One of the most interesting songs lyrically and musically. Never gets old and I never get tired hearing more about it and people's interpretations.
Weird what you learn when you hear a song a million times but never paid attention to all the lyrics and Adam breaks it down for you. Great episode. Thanks, Adam. Have an excellent day.
What you are doing with your channel is very special. You truly have a calling to do what you are doing. You are a very gifted communicator and story teller. Thank you, Thank you, Thsnk you!
I was intrigued the first time I watched one of Adam's videos, and now this is one of my favorite, must-watch channels that I never miss. I continue to be amazed by his skills as an interviewer, the heart-felt passion he has for the music, and his depth of historical knowledge. I used to wonder, "How does he get all these famous people to talk to him?" Now I understand it's because of his intelligence, warmth, sincerity, and the fact that he lets them speak without interrupting them. Who WOULDN'T want to sit and chat with Adam?
Rubber Soul has always been my favorite Beatles album. I love the organic/acoustic production, the step up in evolution of the band, and the variety of song contributions. I would venture to guess that Norwegian Wood was a mixture of truth and fiction because many songs like that usually are. In Cynthia Lennon’s book “John”, she mentions John telling her, during an argument, that the song was about an affair and how daft she was to not get that (Pretty harsh, but he was a troubled soul-no pun intended). Anyway, I love the little “Silly Love Song” jab there professor. Keep up the great work!
The progression from She loves you and Rubber Soul is absolutely amazing but if you hear most of the songs on the charts in 1963 She loves you and I want to hold your hand are very different than anything else happening at the time.
Just take a listen to the top 10 tracks for every week (UK/US) from 1962 onward. in retrospect the early tracks seem lame in isolation but in context....
Rubber Soul is my favorite Beatles record. I have a US Capital copy and a reissue on CD UK track listing. My favorite memory was visiting the British Museum Library in London. There were many wonderful things on display in the museum. The highlight was seeing a piece of paper. John Lennon wrote the lyrics of In My Life. It was lined paper and he wrote it in pencil . This made my day to see this. I ❤️ the Beatles.
Never been to Britain but it is definitely on my list of places to travel to before I turn 30! Whenever I do go, I plan to visit every Beatles attraction.
I don't know which edition of 'Rubber Soul' inspired Brian Wilson to write 'Pet Sounds.' As an American, he would have likely owned the U.S. edition with a different song selection, or as an EMI artist at Capitol, he could have had access to the British edition at the time.
I love The Beatles. I was 5 years old when they came to America. We watched on the Ed Sullivan Show when they appeared. We couldn't really hear them over the screaming fans. We bought the first 2 albums and the whole family ate them up. My parents didn't get them, but they put up with The Beatles. They were and still are the most important, and influential band ever.
Norwegian Wood is one of John Lennon's finest compositions. It came from the groundbreaking album Rubber Soul. That was the start of their revolutionary 3 album run of musical game-changing creativity (Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sergeant Pepper). Brian Wilson was so blown away by the quality of Rubber Soul that it was his inspiration to write the legendary Pet Sounds album. When people say the Beatles changed everything, they really did. The most influential band of all time. I have every Beatles album in my extensive record collection. Their 1962-1970 run can be categorized into 3 phases (Early Beatlemania, Experimental Creativity. and Breaking up Ending). While I love every phase and album, I will list my favorite Beatles album from each phase. From early Beatlemania, A Hard Day's Night. From the experimental creative, Rubber Soul. From the breaking up ending, Abbey Road.
EMI demanded an album for the Christmas market and all they had was the song Wait which was originally written for the Help album. They literally had two months to come up with something... Anything! The first month they spent written the songs. Excluding Michelle (Paul actually had some of the melody when he was 17). The second month was spent in the studio. Just two months and they came up with Rubber Soul.
I was 13 in 1963 and the Beatles turned my world from pale pastels to vivid color (the only way I can describe it). People today dismiss the pre Rubber Soul Beatles music as poppie. They are so wrong. It was exactly what the younger society needed and was as much or more cathartic than the later music considered so advanced and it was. But as a 75 year old guy when I hear Love Me Do or She Loves You it to this day inspires a joy and freeness that anyone younger including you can possible get more than a vague glimpse of. Their earlier music was possibly more important than their later music. Meet the Beatles is IMO at least as important as Rubber Soul, Abbey Road or Sgt Pepper. It gave us what we never needed more.
@binxbolling• maybe because it wasn’t rock-n-roll. It was a George Martin string quartet. It wasn’t a The Beatles it was a Paul McCartney solo. Real The Beatles fans didn’t claim it as The Beatles.
Norwegian Wood is my favorite Beatles song. The first line is one of the best possible examples of good writing. I love the way the 2nd half of the sentence changes the meaning of the first.
I was teaching "Michele" to one of my guitar students, played "In my life" for him. I told him about the revolutionary "Rubber Soul". Today we met again. So, continuing, I told him that "Rubber Soul" was the great departure of those "silly love songs", sometimes "puerile" early songs to more serious songs and pioneering compositions and recordings. I played the "Norwegian Wood" riff to him and, to my surprise, you released this video yesterday! I'll share it with Felipe, I guess he'll feel pleased. Great video, Mr. Reader!
I remember when my sister came home yelling and bouncing around telling my mom about this new song, it was I Wanna Hold Your Hand, I was 6, then they were on Ed Sullivan Show... needless to say the Beatles will always be my favorite band...
I remember anxiously waiting as we all were for the next Beatle album. It is hard to believe today how popular these guys were. I still listen to the albums and I still think of how great they were for those years. There really was nothing like it. And of course heartbroken when John was killed.
Rubber Soul and Revolver are my 2 favourite Beatles albums. I honestly can’t place one above the other as both are genius imo. ‘In my life’ will be played at my funeral as the lyrics are so true and hit home every time.
When growing up, the first band I listened to was the beatles, thanks to my mom. I'm now 30 years old and the beatles are still on my top 5 favorite bands.
The Beatles are amazing no matter what song you talk about….. their progression of course was amazing and we are so lucky to be able to experience it even now!!
Love this because Rubber Soul has ALWAYS been my favorite Beatles album for the very reasons the Professor mentioned. Wow, I am spot on! Makes me feel really good.
I always visualized the song as a visit of a young man to a young woman’s cabin in the woods. In the end, in the morning, when he found himself alone, he lit a fire in the fireplace. All the rest of it never occurred to me. The Beatle songs were cryptic enough that the there was always room for individual interpretation. I still choose to hold on to my original impression.
And I still think he was visiting a woman of the night, who had to "work in the morning and started to laugh". There's a YT video that makes a good argument for that. Also that JL arranged prostitutes as a gift for some executives, as a joke. He was a jokester!
I agree! I was only 14 but I had seen them live and was heartsick after the concert because I loved them so much. When Rubber Soul came out It was a new love story. In My Life and Norwegian wood were my favorites but the whole album was a revelation. I was innocent enough to imagine the cabin and fireplace scene!
Rubber Soul is by far is their album I play most often. The album cover was the first to not have a band's name on the front. And the story behind the front cover is fascinating as well
1) “So, I lit a fire. 2) “isn’t it good, Norwegian Wood” 1) John struck a match. 2) lit a joint, using high quality rolling paper made from Norwegian Wood.
With all due respect to Bob Dylan, John and Paul are the two best songwriters of all time. Their songs appealed to the masses more in just one album than Dylan did in his entire career.
In 1974, my 1st grade teacher played the Beatles during music time and Rubber Soul was my first record I bought in the Spring of '74. I was so enthralled by the Beatles, I lucked out and won a radio contest here in Detroit (3 double albums (Red/Blue/Rock 'n' Roll Music) and a signed petition with my name was sent to all Beatles for a reunion) in the Summer of '74. 😃
Funny, I grew up hearing the story that the song was originally titled "Knowing she would" but was considered too controversial for the time and so was changed to Norwegian Wood. Great song, along with every other song they wrote. They were in a category by themselves.
I remember hearing this for the first time when it came out in 1965; this song blew my little teen mind away. We'd never heard a sitar or lyrics like this. All in 2 minutes! Ive been a Beatles fan since late 1963.
The funniest thing for me personally is that I (kind of) heard the Beatles catalog in reverse order. I heard *Rubber Soul* after hearing *Abby Road, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Revolver* and *The White Album.* It was almost like turning back the clock on their musical advancement, after which I heard the first 5 albums they issued. Regarding "Norwegian Wood", I was always too busy enjoying the song to analyze it or to try unraveling what John wrote it about. Subsequently, when I had picked up the guitar and was "drafted" into owning my first 12-string model, I discovered I could play the accompaniment on this song and create a reduction that didn't miss the sitar. Let's just say that it was a "proud" moment for 16-year-old me. My Beatles jam will always be "Come Together". That was my first, and that is my favorite.
Nowhere man was probably the first Beatles song I ever heard. It was the summer of 82 and I was at the beach with my mom when it came on the radio. I love the song.
Rubber Soul came out during my first year at college. I played it on my cheap stereo in my dorm room but nobody else liked it. It is still my favorite Beatles album.
You touched on something very special about the Beatles. It can be summarized as follows: They went from Love Me Do to Strawberry Fields Forever in less than four years.
Norwegian Wood was the first Beatles song that I learned how to play. It was exciting, fun, and challenging for a beginner. 50+ years later I still love playing it live. As for the Album, Rubber Soul was transformative. When I was 4 yrs old my favorite song was Nowhere Man. I still think it is one of George's most whimsical solos...most people forget that John played that section in unison w/ him. The depth of that solo is still amazing. Brief, but is says it all within just 3 or 4 bars.
SO much has been written/said about these guys. I can only recall one person that said they 'didn't like The Beatles', and said he thought of them of 'the first of the boy bands'. I was appalled! What are you gonna do with someone who's so ignorant? I was a teen, back in '63, when my life was being forever enhanced. You've just set my entire playlist for today. Didn't know about the Dylan snark. You teach this lifelong pop music freak something new every day. Great deep diving, Prof. Stay cool, and keep diggin' it!
And 'Rubber Soul' is a contender for my fave LP by them, but then, whichever one I'm playing is my fave while it's playing. You mentioned The Lemon Pipers! They weren't a one-hit-wonder in BillVille. What a great time for pop - ANYthing could find its way to the charts.
My 'ignorance' snark was intended to reference his thinking they were just a 'boy band'. Nothing of the sort. Did you experience the '60s? Their influence inspired pop music to open up and include many diverse styles. PS - Except for that one omission, I like everything you mentioned. @@freiherrdinkelacker5730
@@freiherrdinkelacker5730 Dismissing them as the first boy band (or worse bubblegum rock) is ignorant. I'm pretty sure that this is what @Polyphemus47 meant. Like whatever you like!
Back in the mid 90s I was serving an Indian wedding at the Sheraton Hotel. While I was clearing tables the DJ put on Norwegian Wood in the mix of Indian music. It blended quite nicely that I didn't realize it until about halfway through the song. I credit George for that.
Hats off to the Prof! Excellent video...superbly deep details that I had missed along the way. One thing I would have mentioned was McCartney appearing to confess to the motive behind the fire that they set over in Hamburg in '61. As for the "fire that was lit," I had always imagined the one in the fireplace. Even though "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" had broken the ice with the first adult reference, I never would have thought his pyromanic behavior would have been allowed. Great job, as always, Adam!
I have several Beatles songs on my 60's playlist. I titled it Feeling Cool because it always makes me feel 1000% cooler then I actually am 😎😆 I love that scimitar sound!
@@Polyphemus47 We're all cool, because we are here digging this channel and learning about our favorite music and musicians from a man who truly deserves to be called "The Professor"! College was never this fascinating, though.
I had an older friend who hated the Beatles, kids band he said. Then when he heard Nowhere Man on the radio he completely changed his mind and became a huge fan.
I just turned 14 when Rubber Soul was released. It floored me with their creativity, mellifluous melodies, and imagination. It is my favorite Beatles LP. And to think, Day Tripper and We Can Work it Out were the promo for this album release.
i got Rubber Soul on CD in 91 on a suggestion from a co worker i was 18 at the time he was in his 30s we talkked about music all the time i was into the rock music of the time n he thought id dig the Beatles n after listening to this album i was hooked n now Beatles are n have been since then my number one
The dirty little secret of Rubber Soul is that the Beatles had kind of dried up as far as new material. They barely got the thing finished under the wire before deadline to get it out for Christmas sales. They had to dust off Wait, a Help outtake, and What Goes On which appears on demos dating as far back as 1963. Michelle was also a very old song that Paul had been fiddling with since the early Hamburg days.
Paul helped John add a middle eight to "What Goes On" and Ringo suggested the lyric "waiting for the tides of time," and that's how it became a Lennon-McCartney-Starkey song.
John borrowed the line, "I'd rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man" in Run For Your Life from a song that Elvis recorded in 1955 called Baby Let's Play House (which was originally recorded in 1954 by Arthur Gunter).
The Beatles started out as a standard Pop/Rock band who did simplistic songs; however, they were exciting because they were the first true Rock band in that they played all their own instruments. Then came the growth. The band's musical growth was in a word, staggering. Just like the Beach Boys would do mirroring them, The Beatles, in just a few years, went from not just being the first true Rock band, but one that really broke new ground in all different types of ways. Just as groundbreaking as the late great Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) would be, The Beatles showed us all what a Rock band could truly create. In doing so, they cemented their legacy as being the most significant music band - in ANY genre - of the 20th century; there's not even a question in my mind about this. Anyone who knows The Beatles for just their 10 most popular songs and dismisses them as lightweight needs to go back and really, truly listen to them. The Beatles were not fly by night; they were not lightweight. At all. And of course they led The British Invasion of American Rock 'n' Roll. Americans invented Rock 'n' Roll. The British, beginning with The Beatles, perfected it. And the world is ever so much the richer for it. ❤
Actually a lot of the 1950's rock musicians you mentioned didn't have their own bands (though Richard, Perkins and Holly did). Most rock musicians in the 1950's played with pickup ensembles, either assembled ad hoc in each city or a jazz big band that toured with them (in 1955 Alan Freed's big rock package show featured Count Basie, who was riding high on the pop charts with Joe Williams' vocal on "Every Day I Have the Blues").@@jasondoane9829
I was born in 1968 to Beatles fans. I grew up with this album constantly playing on the turntable. My middle name is actually from the song 'Michelle'. Rubber Soul is still my favorite Beatles album!
I've always been of the warped opinion that had Buddy Holly not died when he did, America would have never needed the Beatles. He was the most direct influence on their music. The formula the Beatles used in the early Sixties was directly taken from Holly. One could argue that the entire Lennon-McCartney catalogue up until Rubber Soul was Holly-esque. By the end of his tragically short life, Holly was experimenting with his songs, changing up instrumentation about seven years before Norwegian Wood was released. It would have been interesting to see how Holly's music would have progressed in the decade to follow, if he would have made the studio his home like the Beatles did, if he would have influenced and been influenced the likes of Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson in the same ways Lennon and McCartney were. Of course, the Beatles had so many other influences to draw from, from their fascination with the avant-garde and the electronic experimentation of Cage and Stockhausen to George's intrigue with Eastern religion and instruments, but they wouldn't have been able to take such grand liberties with their music had they not had the massive success in their early recording years, which, as I said, was all Holly-esque. Would Holly have gone down the same road of experimenting? Who knows. But I firmly believe, if Holly were alive in 1963, just as Beatlemania was ramping up in the UK and about to come to the States, the Beatles would not have been so deeply necessary in America as they truly were. They filled the void Holly left as the consummate songwriter/musician, and had there been no void, what would we Yanks have needed of them?
I answered the most-impactful song ever as Michael Jackson's beat it. But I also want to echo exactly what you're saying. Without Buddy Holly AND Little Richard, there would be no such thing as Rock-n-Roll. Buddy Holly had the template that the Beatles earnestly copied, but Little Richard scared people. He provided the rebelliousness, the sentiment of "buy this music, your parents will HATE it."
Awesome video. I'm not old enough to have much exposure to The Beatles except for the typical handful of songs that every station would play. First time I heard NOrwegian Wood from Rubber Soul, I was like....oh yeah....this is the best Beatles song.
Feeling nostalgic watching your videos, even though I wasn't born yet in the 1960s. I first listened to the Beatles in the early 1990s, but my personal Beatlemania is still ongoing after 30+ years, and I have no problem with that!
My first exposure to this song was a Jan & Dean 45, backed with “Popsicle.” My older cousins gave my family a number of 45s, the way you might give old toys as hand-me-downs. We loved the strange sounds on that record, so when we discovered the Beatles’ version, we were upset at how simple it sounded. Both are golden tracks to me now.
Yet another FANTASTIC video Professor! I can't say enough about the Beatles, so thank goodness you said it all for me. There almost no words to describe the phenomenon! The were the greatest band ever. Even the first songs show the magic that later blossomed. The magic and the creativity were nothing short of, well, magical. I know I repeated myself, but the word magic is the most descriptive one. There is almost nothing that even comes close to their genius. I love Led Zeppelin and Peter Gabriel almost as much, and I respect their genius almost as much, as well as a few others who are on the next tier after them. They are VERY high up in the hierarchy, but not as high. No other band will ever equal them, or certainly not in at least another 50 to 100 years. To surpass their creativity, whomever that might be would have to invent something completely new, something never before imagined. We are just not in a phase where that can happen. Maybe it will take another World War. Don't forget that London in the 50s, and even the early 60s, was very much in a post war mindset, and the young people like the Beatles were rebelling against that. The rise of pot and acid were also extremely influencial. I keep saying that acid had the dominant influence more than anything else, during the late part of the Beatles' time, and after they split up. Lets pray for a resurgence of good clean acid, but NOT the trauma of a world war. Maybe the trauma of having endured Trump, his MAGAts, and the disaster he created with Covid, will be traumatic enough to inspire musicians to invent something new. Acid is such a great thing, if used properly, that it might be able to spark something, even without a World War, although it sure seems like MAGAts are dying to start one. Here are my heartfelt wishes for a new faze when everyone just wants to get together, forgive all of our differences, and sing All You Need Is Love.
What a great episode! I don't listen to the Beatles as often as my other favorites, but I have always considered them the cornerstone of Rock n' Roll. Any opportunity to take a deep dive into their work is always appreciated. Priceless history Professor, keep them coming :)
I was very young when i got introduced to Beatles about 6 or 7 years old. Had no like musical understanding but offcourse i liked the music nevertheless. As i got older and got more musical experience you realize that it's crazy how fast they matured as songwriters and musicians! Like you said they changed the way you both write and record music forever. The Beatles and George Martin were a match made in heaven! During the height of their creativity foremost John and Paul came up many weird ideas/suggestions and George Martin was determined to fix it somehow! He was always up for a challenge.
yeh i recently bought all.3 anthology cds 93 hard to believe 30 years old was looking at liner notes they were always trying different or experimenting with different sounds and studio effects same with past masters i have both how many takes were totally different or in progress than the final versions everyones familiar with if mate uk trivia the hmv past masters limited numbered boxset cds and abbey road 1988.original price sticker was 13.99 pounds i havent been to uk since 2010 today guess would be like 40 dollars or like 20.pounds but they all have nice full size booklets 26 7.pages with photos the parlophone cds are nice quality plus a logo pin
When this song first came out, my older male cousin (I was still an innocent) felt “Norwegian Wood” was really to be interpreted as “Knowing she would”. I could never hear it any other way.
Yeah, I was told that many years ago. I just did a quick google search and it appears others also think it is meant to be code for "Knowing she would".
John Lennon always had a fascination with word play. It makes complete sense he meant it to be a more lurid “knowing she would,” which is what I had read years ago it was meant to refer to be.
I was surprised that you didn't mention that the line, "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to see you with another man " was borrowed from an Elvis song called "Baby, Let's Play House ". If you didn't already know that, now you do! It's always amazing how much research you put into these videos! You're a very talented and knowledgeable man and, even though I don't have all of the same musical tastes that you have, I really enjoy and appreciate the work you put into these shows! Thank you for all you do!
I have several #1 songs when it comes to The Beatles. But I just ordered me a customised t-shirt at MalaRock, and I chose In My Life with 4 lines of the lyrics. So there’s that.
Poll: What is your pick for the most IMPACTFUL song in rock history?
STH
Because of the setting - Richie Havens -Freedom at Woodstock
American Pie by Don McClean He brought back the legacy of the day the music died
The Twist - Chubby Checker
I'll nominate "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets.
The Beatles are still a wonder. By rights no band like that should have existed. But they did. They were that good. A miracle of nature. Thanks for another superb show.
Wow - this takes me back to a night in Ashtabua, Ohio after a communty theater rehearsal. I sat with three friends, drinking bad coffee, smoking English Oval cigarettes, and talking about this song until, finally, the owner threw us out into a snowy night. My friends - 2 girls and a guy - and I wound up sitting in a car down by Lake Erie talking about music until the sun came up. Not long after that I joined the Army and never saw them again but every time I hear this song my mind goes back to that very cool night when life was full of possibiities and we were convinced that music was more than a few notes on a page. Thanks.
When was this, do you remember?
My memory isn't so great these days but it would havae been sometime in November 1965 I think.@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
You and your friends were and still are right. Music isn't notes on a page, bits of iron on a piece of tape, grooves on a record, or bits of binary code...those are just ways of recording, or saving it. It doesn't become music until it is heard or felt.
I’m guessing Geneva on the Lake? Love that area.
This is a fucking Bob Dylan song.
The Greatest band ever! My favourite song of the Beatles is on this album "In My Life."
Something is my favorite, followed by A Day in the Life.
I have a framed picture of the lyrics to In My Life. The most beautiful song and tops in my opinion. I am a fan of The Long & Winding Road as well.
My best friend saw the Beatles at Shea Stadium in NY … we’re 10, we are now 69, still best friends, and IM STILL JEALOUS!!!!!
69...nice
What the Beatles accomplished in only 61/2 years of recording, no other artist would ever duplicate it.
Not even Michael Jackson! They changed the world.
The doors
ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. Unfortunately, so many people still don't get this point. The Beatles were truly groundbreaking in every way. They deserve every bit of the respect they've earned from the Worldwide Music Community.
Let's go deeper....A little over 10 hrs of music when the songs on their major LP releases are added up!!!
Mind boggling!!!!!
@@donjohn2695 No, as much as I like The Doors, they didn't make nearly an impact as what The Beatles. did.
Actually "Norwegian Wood" IS the first rock song recorded with a sitar. On the Kinks "see my friends " the always underrated Dave Davies got the sitar sound by playing a 12 string inches from an amp . This produced a fuzzy droning effect. Genius Dave! The Yardbirds "Heart full of Soul" story is even more wild. Gromelski, the band's manager hired a tabla player and a sitar player. The tabla got the rhythm right but the sitar player was all over the place. After quite a bit of frustration the band didn't know what to do. Their new guitarist shrugged his shoulders and said "I can do this sound " and played a restrained but driving riff,with amazing string bending through his newly invented 'fuzz box' He also kept the D string open to imitate the sitar droning. Everyone was amazed and the guitarist laid down the track you hear on the recording. Yep Jeff Beck could make his guitar sound like anything!
Fascinating insights. Thanks.
Exactly. I was going to say that lol
Jeff Beck was phenomenal. RIP.
*Gomelski
No mention of Dan Penn playing on 'I cry like a baby' by The Boxtops?
I am so so glad I was born in 1954! Had I not been, I would have missed the Beatles experience, starting with their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, a memory that is still fresh in my mind as I make my way to age 70. It is literally impossible for me to pick a favorite Beatles song, as they are all masterpieces in my mind. I will say one thing though, I never doubted for a single second that George Harrison was by far the most talented of the four when it came to solo careers, a belief confirmed with the the release of his album All Things Must Pass and ending with everything he performed afterwards, both on stage and in recordings, at least in my opinion. Paul McCartney would be second on the list, followed by John and then Ringo. Ok, one more thing, I am not excited at reaching the age of 70! If I had one wish right now, it would be to go back in time to that Sunday evening with me and my three siblings, super excited for the Beatles to make their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, with my parents sitting there on the couch wondering if they had made the right decision to let us all watch! I'm so thankful that from an early age, my parents, may they rest in peace, gave us kids the freedom to make decisions on our own, based on the teachings they gave us between right and wrong. Thanks again Adam, you're the best!
I’m right there with you brother. I too was born in 1954 and like you the Beatles changed my life with the Ed Sullivan appearance. I Want to Hold Your Hand instantly made all the rest of music sound old and outdated.
George Harrison was the first ex- Beatle to have a #1 Hit after The Beatles broke up. My Sweet Lord. Dec.26th 1970.
I was born in 1977, my first memory is of my dad telling my mom John had been killed. To me The Beatles are the greatest band ever. My son was born in 2012 and he loves them also. That goes to show their legacy.
1954, what a year!.Dont agree that George is the most talented Beatle.Not even close.Taxman is a hell of a track on a heck of an album and yes he wrote arguably the best tracks on the last 3 albums but what riches he's up against.
Ditto.
Thank you for exploring how incredibly fast the Beatles grew as artists and musicians. They were constantly experimenting and were the first to use many new techniques in the recording studio that were used for decades afterwards. They were far more influential than most people realize.
They had played about 300 gigs all over Europe before becoming famous!
Due credit to George Martin
Agreeing that George Martin (with a close watch of Paul) was very instrumental in the experimental techniques. Paul did a live performance with the recording machines (of the day) and explained the processes. I don't remember the title of McCarney's modern-day performance. George Martin was sometimes referred to the 5th Beatle.
@starla. As far as this OP comment goes... Darn near everyone who was over the age of 5 at the time totally recognized their genius, and how influential they were.
It's only today's young people, who are living in a completely different reality, and haven't heard much of their music, and certainly not in the same context, that don't appreciate it the same way. But it would be ridiculous to expect them to. When we were younger did we appreciate music that was 50 and 60 years old? Of course not! (I have no idea how old you are, but that is the same for every generation.)
Sorry Starla. This isn't meant as a dig against you at all. But everyone who really cares about music most definately does realize their genius and influence, even a great many young people. Just look at the videos of people reacting to their first hearing of Beatles' songs.
And keep in mind, people's ears need to be trained to appreciate music. I hated Reggae when I first heard it. A young person today has ears that were trained completely differently than ours were way back then, yet so many of them still love these songs!
I do understand though, that not having lived through the progression of rock music from the start, it wouldn't be possible for these people now to understand how influential they were.
The level of that influence is nothing short of astounding! There has never been anything else like it! So in that sense, yes. And it's not the people's fault that they weren't around at the time. Everyone who was around is very aware of how influencial they were, but some younger people aren't.
It took me a lot of talking to myself, but in the end I do sort of agree with you.
Sort of.
All the best to you! And thanks for a very thought provoking comment! 😉 ✌🏼
@@cattymajiv It didn’t help that when the iPod came out and music turned digital, the Beatles did not release their music digitally for well over a decade because they were afraid of digital theft. There’s a whole generation of Millennials out there who, statistically, don’t know the Beatle’s songs simply because they weren’t available the way they purchased music at the time.
She loves you is a perfect pop song. Just over 2 minutes. Starts with a drum fill directly into a Chorus as well as the 3 part harmony at the end. It’s like watching fireworks with hooks all over the place
I used to think of she loves you as pop song. It wasn’t til I learned to play it properly that I realized this is straight up rock song. The guitar leads thru the song and especially after the “and you know that can’t be bad” parts weren’t as easy as I thought they were and they were very inventive and not your typical pop sound. The mood changes at the “and you know you should be glad”. The drums which sound a bit tribal at times and the sudden acapella stop towards the end of the song changed my mind.
Yeah it’s like a perfect song. When I said pop. I ment it fit neatly under the 3 minutes and all the hooks. I play Paul McCartney as a Beatles impersonator. I also know the song
@@johnhepburn538 yeah I hear you, it was a short tune which was the norm at they time. I don’t think I can name song from the 50s or early 60s that lasted 10-15mins. That came later.
She Loves You is a fun singalong!
Even the lyrics have the take of a reported conversation. ( she loves You ). Remembering back. Was there a better feeling then knowing someone you liked loves you
One of the often overlooked powers of Norwegian Wood is its extreme simplicity. Think of this: it comprises only two melodical phrases; the one that belongs to the verses (I once had a girl or should I said she once had me?) and the one which belongs to the middle eight (She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere)... And that is the whole song, which by means of repeating those same phrases a few times, appears to the listener as more complex than it really is. I think that's what they call it ART.
"Rubber Soul" was indeed the point of departure for their works. Lennon was exceptionally skilled at keeping details of certain songs shrouded in mystery. This song is a prime example.
My grandfather had a tree farm in Norway and sold his wood to England. So I always felt a special connection to Norwegian Wood.
There can’t be a favourite Beatles song! Tomorrow it will be different. I bought every Beatles song the day after it was released. They are all in my blood. ❤
I was a senior in high school when the Beatles came to the US. The Beatles changed music more than any band ever has.
Band? Yeah. And then there was Elvis.
Ahh The Beatles. Essentially all of their songs just have an aura of iconicness to them, controversial or not! Gotta love them for always pushing the boundaries with every year, and every album.
Rubber Soul is definitely iconic for sure.
Wait i heard Norwegian wood is about having blue balls
Picking a favorite Beatles song would be tougher than picking a favorite child. Just. No. Way.
Back in the late 70's, I had an argument with a friend. I asked him what he thought the Beatles' "transition" album was, meaning when did their music change from the "usual" to the "extraordinary?" He insisted it was Revolver. I insisted it was "Rubber Soul." When he asked, "How do you figure?" I said two words, "Norwegian Wood." Thank you, Professor, for clearing this up.
It's obviously always been Rubber Soul. It will send you away. Perfectly lovely and the beginning of the trip.
Ask any Beatles fan what the best album was, you get Abbey Road, The White Album or Revolver. I think Rubber Soul was underrated. It was the bridge from the innocent Love Me Do to their evolution into The Long and Winding Road. It's introspective and mind opening. I believe it was the band's coming of age album.
This!
White album is 50% throwaway garbage. Piggies? Rev #9... they're in a who cares kind of mind set imo anyway. Abbey, Rubber, and Revolver but dont forget Hard Days Night which is one fantastic song after another.
They didn't really go for concept albums per se,as with...say 'Sgt Pepper' or 'Magical Mystery' (to a degree) just a bunch of songs 'good to go' type of thing but the quality of them was all conquering.Pepper suffered by excluding Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, (George Martin long lamented their exclusion) and also 'Rubber Soul' for excluding 'Rain' and 'Paperback Writer', (two of their killers of that period maybe ) ?...,probably at the behest of their record companies commercial requirements?...'Gotta get a single out guys'' ? l would love to see these 4 songs repatriated and maybe 'prune the weaker songs potentially ? (controversial).The best Beatle album is the one i burned myself,sans the dead wood.
Rubber Soul is a mid sixties pop music masterpiece, I absolutely love it.
They changed so much, tried so many different musical styles!
Norwegian Wood was one of the Beatles 26 number 1`s here in Australia peaking at number 1 on the 30TH April 1966 ; top tune that still stacks up today
So I can find it on an Aussie 45? How cool would THAT be?
Great for campfire guitar picking but vaguely tricky if a little ...'refreshed' lol.
@@Polyphemus47 .; Try Discogs Aussie record sellers use that site
I’m so glad to hear, Peter!
@@Polyphemus47
Parlophone A8193
Norwegian Wood/Nowhere Man. Released 24 March 1966.
It's amazing how every Beatle can write lyrics and compose music that are based from their experience...and some songs became classics and covered by so many of today's musicians.
Exactly. So many classics!
even Ringo??? Really?
@@mollkatless
Yes.
Never heard of "It don't come Easy" and "Photograph"?
Though you almost feel sorry for George. He was an amazing songwriter, but was overshadowed by Lennon and McCartney during the Beatles era. And even now barely mentioned when it comes to songwriting.
@@mollkatless Yes! He wrote Octopuses’ Garden at a very low point in his life. He had seen a documentary on how they build and “tend” their own gardens. He said that was the happiest thing he had seen in a long time and he wrote the lyrics. It was several years after the song’s release that I heard this interview. At that time I was going through my own low times. And learning this gave me a happy thing to think about. I went to the library (because, no internet back then) and looked up octopuses’ gardens. They exist! Not long after that I found a nature special on PBS about the habits of our 8-armed friends and the film included one of them tending his garden. Was it the same thing Ringo had watched? I’ll never know. But anytime I start to get down, I listen to Ringo and watch these amazing creatures on the internet. The four of them truly are the soundtrack to my life.
"The Beatles were not a band. They were a miracle." - David Gilmour of Pink Floyd
It wasnt that he was cryptic, its just he liked having multiple meanings. Even if some were personal.The poet in him.
This is actually my favorite Beatles song and they’re a ton of runner-ups. I love the second bridge the most where Ringo plays the kick drum and Paul’s Harmony just makes it magical.
Probably the best part of the song!
I know several people, including my brother, who saw them live in concert said what they HEARD was "my, isn't it good, knowing she would".
" All You Need Is Love" opened the door to many bands to write music about real humans' needs and feelings! and not be ashamed of it!
Everything before Rubber Soul was very, very good ...but it sounded like its time.
...Everything Rubber Soul and after was absolutely revolutionary and sounds timeless.
And FYI, every time I tell that theory to my dad, who grew up with the Beatles, he gets so mad he stops talking to me for the day.
Why does that make him mad? It makes total sense.
@@Whisper_292 He's a Beatle fanatic.
In his eyes everything they ever did is like magic gospel handed down from Olympus and anyone saying otherwise is blaspheming against his heroes.
He goes just as hard for Bob Dylan.
I get it 100% as I feel much the same about Led Zeppelin, DLR era Van Halen, Portishead and Tool ...but you gotta be reasonable 🤦♂️
Really? Why?
@@ProfessorofRock hahaha right on Prof! Good one.
It’s like Rubber Soul changed the entire music game! I wonder why your father doesn’t like that?
You hit all the main points on this song. Did your homework. One of the most interesting songs lyrically and musically. Never gets old and I never get tired hearing more about it and people's interpretations.
Weird what you learn when you hear a song a million times but never paid attention to all the lyrics and Adam breaks it down for you. Great episode. Thanks, Adam. Have an excellent day.
This one and yesterday’s song, I agree.
Rock on Jill 🤘
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980, you too, Lilly. 🤘🏻
What you are doing with your channel is very special. You truly have a calling to do what you are doing. You are a very gifted communicator and story teller. Thank you, Thank you, Thsnk you!
Dittos -----> infinity
I was intrigued the first time I watched one of Adam's videos, and now this is one of my favorite, must-watch channels that I never miss. I continue to be amazed by his skills as an interviewer, the heart-felt passion he has for the music, and his depth of historical knowledge.
I used to wonder, "How does he get all these famous people to talk to him?" Now I understand it's because of his intelligence, warmth, sincerity, and the fact that he lets them speak without interrupting them. Who WOULDN'T want to sit and chat with Adam?
Best opening line ever. No group has written and recorded more great songs than the Beatles and Rubber Soul is a fabulous album.
Rubber Soul is an absolute classic.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I'll drink to that!!! 🍺
no IT IS PET SOUNDS BEACH BOYS
Rubber Soul has always been my favorite Beatles album. I love the organic/acoustic production, the step up in evolution of the band, and the variety of song contributions.
I would venture to guess that Norwegian Wood was a mixture of truth and fiction because many songs like that usually are. In Cynthia Lennon’s book “John”, she mentions John telling her, during an argument, that the song was about an affair and how daft she was to not get that (Pretty harsh, but he was a troubled soul-no pun intended).
Anyway, I love the little “Silly Love Song” jab there professor. Keep up the great work!
The progression from She loves you and Rubber Soul is absolutely amazing but if you hear most of the songs on the charts in 1963 She loves you and I want to hold your hand are very different than anything else happening at the time.
Just take a listen to the top 10 tracks for every week (UK/US) from 1962 onward. in retrospect the early tracks seem lame in isolation but in context....
Rubber Soul is my favorite Beatles record. I have a US Capital copy and a reissue on CD UK track listing.
My favorite memory was visiting the British Museum Library in London. There were many wonderful things on display in the museum. The highlight was seeing a piece of paper. John Lennon wrote the lyrics of In My Life. It was lined paper and he wrote it in pencil . This made my day to see this.
I ❤️ the Beatles.
Never been to Britain but it is definitely on my list of places to travel to before I turn 30! Whenever I do go, I plan to visit every Beatles attraction.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I hope you can go. London was a trip of a lifetime for me.
I don't know which edition of 'Rubber Soul' inspired Brian Wilson to write 'Pet Sounds.' As an American, he would have likely owned the U.S. edition with a different song selection, or as an EMI artist at Capitol, he could have had access to the British edition at the time.
@@catherine6653 Definitely gonna travel more in college.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 😊👍
It's crazy to think they put out all that music, and broke up, before anyone of them was 30!
I love The Beatles. I was 5 years old when they came to America. We watched on the Ed Sullivan Show when they appeared. We couldn't really hear them over the screaming fans. We bought the first 2 albums and the whole family ate them up. My parents didn't get them, but they put up with The Beatles. They were and still are the most important, and influential band ever.
I was 6 and mom liked them and dad read the paper.
My favorite Beatles album, every song on here is unbelievably good and was so different than anything at that time.
Norwegian Wood is one of John Lennon's finest compositions. It came from the groundbreaking album Rubber Soul. That was the start of their revolutionary 3 album run of musical game-changing creativity (Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sergeant Pepper). Brian Wilson was so blown away by the quality of Rubber Soul that it was his inspiration to write the legendary Pet Sounds album. When people say the Beatles changed everything, they really did. The most influential band of all time. I have every Beatles album in my extensive record collection. Their 1962-1970 run can be categorized into 3 phases (Early Beatlemania, Experimental Creativity. and Breaking up Ending). While I love every phase and album, I will list my favorite Beatles album from each phase. From early Beatlemania, A Hard Day's Night. From the experimental creative, Rubber Soul. From the breaking up ending, Abbey Road.
I agree with almost everything you say, except Revolver instead of Rubber Soul - both great, Revolver better though
@@mollkatless That's okay. We all have our favorites so there is no right or wrong answer.
The Holy Trinity of Beatles albums!
I have an extensive collection
EMI demanded an album for the Christmas market and all they had was the song Wait which was originally written for the Help album. They literally had two months to come up with something... Anything!
The first month they spent written the songs. Excluding Michelle (Paul actually had some of the melody when he was 17). The second month was spent in the studio.
Just two months and they came up with Rubber Soul.
I was 13 in 1963 and the Beatles turned my world from pale pastels to vivid color (the only way I can describe it). People today dismiss the pre Rubber Soul Beatles music as poppie. They are so wrong. It was exactly what the younger society needed and was as much or more cathartic than the later music considered so advanced and it was. But as a 75 year old guy when I hear Love Me Do or She Loves You it to this day inspires a joy and freeness that anyone younger including you can possible get more than a vague glimpse of. Their earlier music was possibly more important than their later music. Meet the Beatles is IMO at least as important as Rubber Soul, Abbey Road or Sgt Pepper. It gave us what we never needed more.
I think Yesterday was the song that made it apparent this wasn't just another popular band.
Exactly!!
@binxbolling• maybe because it wasn’t rock-n-roll. It was a George Martin string quartet. It wasn’t a The Beatles it was a Paul McCartney solo.
Real The Beatles fans didn’t claim it as The Beatles.
Norwegian Wood is my favorite Beatles song. The first line is one of the best possible examples of good writing. I love the way the 2nd half of the sentence changes the meaning of the first.
Ok so then you maybe heard that Norwegian wood is about having blue balls? I remember hearing that and i cant remember where
I was teaching "Michele" to one of my guitar students, played "In my life" for him. I told him about the revolutionary "Rubber Soul". Today we met again. So, continuing, I told him that "Rubber Soul" was the great departure of those "silly love songs", sometimes "puerile" early songs to more serious songs and pioneering compositions and recordings. I played the "Norwegian Wood" riff to him and, to my surprise, you released this video yesterday! I'll share it with Felipe, I guess he'll feel pleased. Great video, Mr. Reader!
Great job Adam. You always give the Beatles the respect they deserve.
I remember when my sister came home yelling and bouncing around telling my mom about this new song, it was I Wanna Hold Your Hand, I was 6, then they were on Ed Sullivan Show... needless to say the Beatles will always be my favorite band...
I remember anxiously waiting as we all were for the next Beatle album. It is hard to believe today how popular these guys were. I still listen to the albums and I still think of how great they were for those years. There really was nothing like it. And of course heartbroken when John was killed.
More on The Beatles please! The start of it all, we need more education on their contributions.
Rubber Soul and Revolver are my 2 favourite Beatles albums. I honestly can’t place one above the other as both are genius imo.
‘In my life’ will be played at my funeral as the lyrics are so true and hit home every time.
No matter what mood I am in, there is a Beatles song that reflects that...and one that will bring a smile to my face.
When growing up, the first band I listened to was the beatles, thanks to my mom. I'm now 30 years old and the beatles are still on my top 5 favorite bands.
Listen some more and they’ll move to number 1. 😛
The Beatles are amazing no matter what song you talk about….. their progression of course was amazing and we are so lucky to be able to experience it even now!!
"Rubber Soul" is an outstanding album-"Norwegian Wood" is a stand out track.
Love this because Rubber Soul has ALWAYS been my favorite Beatles album for the very reasons the Professor mentioned. Wow, I am spot on! Makes me feel really good.
Lennon writes a song in the style of Dylan and it’s ends being nearly better than anything Dylan wrote.
Nearly
I always visualized the song as a visit of a young man to a young woman’s cabin in the woods. In the end, in the morning, when he found himself alone, he lit a fire in the fireplace. All the rest of it never occurred to me. The Beatle songs were cryptic enough that the there was always room for individual interpretation. I still choose to hold on to my original impression.
And I still think he was visiting a woman of the night, who had to "work in the morning and started to laugh". There's a YT video that makes a good argument for that. Also that JL arranged prostitutes as a gift for some executives, as a joke. He was a jokester!
I agree! I was only 14 but I had seen them live and was heartsick after the concert because I loved them so much.
When Rubber Soul came out It was a new love story. In My Life and Norwegian wood were my favorites but the whole album was a revelation. I was innocent enough to imagine the cabin and fireplace scene!
*ONE OF THE BEST CHANNELS ON RUclips.* I've never stopped liking this guy, and he deserves all the praise he gets.
Rubber Soul is by far is their album I play most often.
The album cover was the first to not have a band's name on the front. And the story behind the front cover is fascinating as well
1) “So, I lit a fire.
2) “isn’t it good, Norwegian Wood”
1) John struck a match.
2) lit a joint, using high quality rolling paper made from Norwegian Wood.
With all due respect to Bob Dylan, John and Paul are the two best songwriters of all time. Their songs appealed to the masses more in just one album than Dylan did in his entire career.
they were all great with different strength's
"John and Paul are the two best songwriters of all time"
Nope, not even close.
In 1974, my 1st grade teacher played the Beatles during music time and Rubber Soul was my first record I bought in the Spring of '74. I was so enthralled by the Beatles, I lucked out and won a radio contest here in Detroit (3 double albums (Red/Blue/Rock 'n' Roll Music) and a signed petition with my name was sent to all Beatles for a reunion) in the Summer of '74. 😃
Considering their carreer, they were a miracle, not just a band.
Funny, I grew up hearing the story that the song was originally titled "Knowing she would" but was considered too controversial for the time and so was changed to Norwegian Wood. Great song, along with every other song they wrote. They were in a category by themselves.
I think my fave by them is still “64”. I remember loving that song at 5 years old.
Now I’m only five years away from being 64 myself,& still love it!
I remember hearing this for the first time when it came out in 1965; this song blew my little teen mind away. We'd never heard a sitar or lyrics like this. All in 2 minutes! Ive been a Beatles fan since late 1963.
The funniest thing for me personally is that I (kind of) heard the Beatles catalog in reverse order. I heard *Rubber Soul* after hearing *Abby Road, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Revolver* and *The White Album.* It was almost like turning back the clock on their musical advancement, after which I heard the first 5 albums they issued.
Regarding "Norwegian Wood", I was always too busy enjoying the song to analyze it or to try unraveling what John wrote it about. Subsequently, when I had picked up the guitar and was "drafted" into owning my first 12-string model, I discovered I could play the accompaniment on this song and create a reduction that didn't miss the sitar. Let's just say that it was a "proud" moment for 16-year-old me.
My Beatles jam will always be "Come Together". That was my first, and that is my favorite.
Come Together is just a great song.
yeh aerosmith cover was just on the radio.last week
It's just unbelievable how these 4 lads came together to change the World forever.
I still feel goosebumps listening to their story.
Rubber Soul is actually my favorite album. They are all great, but RS just grabbed me right in the gut and never let go. 58 years ago. Wow.
Let's hope they do a 60th anniversary edition. They re-released Revolver last year and it wasn't any special anniversary.
Nowhere man was probably the first Beatles song I ever heard. It was the summer of 82 and I was at the beach with my mom when it came on the radio. I love the song.
Rubber Soul came out during my first year at college. I played it on my cheap stereo in my dorm room but nobody else liked it. It is still my favorite Beatles album.
This may be my favorite Lennon song, I mean if anything can stand toe-to-toe with Rain, it’s Norwegian Wood!
Rain is excellent. 👍
With you on that. Impossible for me to have a favourite. But Rain and Norwegian Wood are up there 👌
A Day in the Life!
You touched on something very special about the Beatles. It can be summarized as follows: They went from Love Me Do to Strawberry Fields Forever in less than four years.
Norwegian Wood was the first Beatles song that I learned how to play. It was exciting, fun, and challenging for a beginner. 50+ years later I still love playing it live. As for the Album, Rubber Soul was transformative. When I was 4 yrs old my favorite song was Nowhere Man. I still think it is one of George's most whimsical solos...most people forget that John played that section in unison w/ him. The depth of that solo is still amazing. Brief, but is says it all within just 3 or 4 bars.
Very cool!
Nowhere Man is one of my favorite songs of theirs.
SO much has been written/said about these guys. I can only recall one person that said they 'didn't like The Beatles', and said he thought of them of 'the first of the boy bands'. I was appalled! What are you gonna do with someone who's so ignorant? I was a teen, back in '63, when my life was being forever enhanced. You've just set my entire playlist for today.
Didn't know about the Dylan snark. You teach this lifelong pop music freak something new every day. Great deep diving, Prof. Stay cool, and keep diggin' it!
And 'Rubber Soul' is a contender for my fave LP by them, but then, whichever one I'm playing is my fave while it's playing. You mentioned The Lemon Pipers! They weren't a one-hit-wonder in BillVille. What a great time for pop - ANYthing could find its way to the charts.
My 'ignorance' snark was intended to reference his thinking they were just a 'boy band'. Nothing of the sort. Did you experience the '60s? Their influence inspired pop music to open up and include many diverse styles. PS - Except for that one omission, I like everything you mentioned. @@freiherrdinkelacker5730
@@freiherrdinkelacker5730 Dismissing them as the first boy band (or worse bubblegum rock) is ignorant. I'm pretty sure that this is what @Polyphemus47 meant. Like whatever you like!
Rubber Soul has always been my favorite Beatles album.
Back in the mid 90s I was serving an Indian wedding at the Sheraton Hotel. While I was clearing tables the DJ put on Norwegian Wood in the mix of Indian music. It blended quite nicely that I didn't realize it until about halfway through the song. I credit George for that.
It's quite simple: more than 60 years have gone by since they first got together and The Beatles sound better every time you listen to them
Hats off to the Prof! Excellent video...superbly deep details that I had missed along the way.
One thing I would have mentioned was McCartney appearing to confess to the motive behind the fire that they set over in Hamburg in '61.
As for the "fire that was lit," I had always imagined the one in the fireplace. Even though "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" had broken the ice with the first adult reference, I never would have thought his pyromanic behavior would have been allowed.
Great job, as always, Adam!
I have several Beatles songs on my 60's playlist. I titled it Feeling Cool because it always makes me feel 1000% cooler then I actually am 😎😆
I love that scimitar sound!
You're cool. I get that, and I know I'm cool.
Very cutting edge for the time.
Scimitar sound?
@@Polyphemus47 We're all cool, because we are here digging this channel and learning about our favorite music and musicians from a man who truly deserves to be called "The Professor"! College was never this fascinating, though.
Is Hey Jude on there? Classic feel good tune about taking a sad song to make it better.
I had an older friend who hated the Beatles, kids band he said. Then when he heard Nowhere Man on the radio he completely changed his mind and became a huge fan.
A fabulous song indeed, Dennis!
I just turned 14 when Rubber Soul was released. It floored me with their creativity, mellifluous melodies, and imagination. It is my favorite Beatles LP. And to think, Day Tripper and We Can Work it Out were the promo for this album release.
Did you buy it?
Mellifluous? I doubt The Beatles would have understood that word. Thanks for enlarging my vocabulary.
yeh im.pretty sure was the single promo
i think.was in the past masters booklet
i got Rubber Soul on CD in 91 on a suggestion from a co worker i was 18 at the time he was in his 30s we talkked about music all the time i was into the rock music of the time n he thought id dig the Beatles n after listening to this album i was hooked n now Beatles are n have been since then my number one
I love "Norwegian Wood" but my favourite Beatle track would have to be "A Day in the Life"
Being around since 1951 nothing had a more profound impact on my life than these songs and hearing them for the first time!!
The dirty little secret of Rubber Soul is that the Beatles had kind of dried up as far as new material. They barely got the thing finished under the wire before deadline to get it out for Christmas sales. They had to dust off Wait, a Help outtake, and What Goes On which appears on demos dating as far back as 1963. Michelle was also a very old song that Paul had been fiddling with since the early Hamburg days.
Paul helped John add a middle eight to "What Goes On" and Ringo suggested the lyric "waiting for the tides of time," and that's how it became a Lennon-McCartney-Starkey song.
John borrowed the line, "I'd rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man" in Run For Your Life from a song that Elvis recorded in 1955 called Baby Let's Play House (which was originally recorded in 1954 by Arthur Gunter).
The Beatles started out as a standard Pop/Rock band who did simplistic songs; however, they were exciting because they were the first true Rock band in that they played all their own instruments.
Then came the growth.
The band's musical growth was in a word, staggering. Just like the Beach Boys would do mirroring them, The Beatles, in just a few years, went from not just being the first true Rock band, but one that really broke new ground in all different types of ways. Just as groundbreaking as the late great Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) would be, The Beatles showed us all what a Rock band could truly create. In doing so, they cemented their legacy as being the most significant music band - in ANY genre - of the 20th century; there's not even a question in my mind about this.
Anyone who knows The Beatles for just their 10 most popular songs and dismisses them as lightweight needs to go back and really, truly listen to them. The Beatles were not fly by night; they were not lightweight. At all. And of course they led The British Invasion of American Rock 'n' Roll.
Americans invented Rock 'n' Roll. The British, beginning with The Beatles, perfected it. And the world is ever so much the richer for it. ❤
Actually a lot of the 1950's rock musicians you mentioned didn't have their own bands (though Richard, Perkins and Holly did). Most rock musicians in the 1950's played with pickup ensembles, either assembled ad hoc in each city or a jazz big band that toured with them (in 1955 Alan Freed's big rock package show featured Count Basie, who was riding high on the pop charts with Joe Williams' vocal on "Every Day I Have the Blues").@@jasondoane9829
I was born in 1968 to Beatles fans. I grew up with this album constantly playing on the turntable. My middle name is actually from the song 'Michelle'. Rubber Soul is still my favorite Beatles album!
I've always been of the warped opinion that had Buddy Holly not died when he did, America would have never needed the Beatles. He was the most direct influence on their music. The formula the Beatles used in the early Sixties was directly taken from Holly. One could argue that the entire Lennon-McCartney catalogue up until Rubber Soul was Holly-esque. By the end of his tragically short life, Holly was experimenting with his songs, changing up instrumentation about seven years before Norwegian Wood was released. It would have been interesting to see how Holly's music would have progressed in the decade to follow, if he would have made the studio his home like the Beatles did, if he would have influenced and been influenced the likes of Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson in the same ways Lennon and McCartney were. Of course, the Beatles had so many other influences to draw from, from their fascination with the avant-garde and the electronic experimentation of Cage and Stockhausen to George's intrigue with Eastern religion and instruments, but they wouldn't have been able to take such grand liberties with their music had they not had the massive success in their early recording years, which, as I said, was all Holly-esque. Would Holly have gone down the same road of experimenting? Who knows. But I firmly believe, if Holly were alive in 1963, just as Beatlemania was ramping up in the UK and about to come to the States, the Beatles would not have been so deeply necessary in America as they truly were. They filled the void Holly left as the consummate songwriter/musician, and had there been no void, what would we Yanks have needed of them?
I answered the most-impactful song ever as Michael Jackson's beat it. But I also want to echo exactly what you're saying. Without Buddy Holly AND Little Richard, there would be no such thing as Rock-n-Roll. Buddy Holly had the template that the Beatles earnestly copied, but Little Richard scared people. He provided the rebelliousness, the sentiment of "buy this music, your parents will HATE it."
Awesome video. I'm not old enough to have much exposure to The Beatles except for the typical handful of songs that every station would play. First time I heard NOrwegian Wood from Rubber Soul, I was like....oh yeah....this is the best Beatles song.
My favorite Beatles' songs are "A Day in the Life" and "Eleanor Rigby" and probably a few others
My favorite Beatles song? The one I’m listening to.
Feeling nostalgic watching your videos, even though I wasn't born yet in the 1960s. I first listened to the Beatles in the early 1990s, but my personal Beatlemania is still ongoing after 30+ years, and I have no problem with that!
Awesome story and song Professor! Casey would have been proud! “Long and Winding Road” is my favorite!!🤘🔥
...Casey IS proud! ...The Baton has been PASSED, in my opinion.... ; )
Thanks Brent!
Great song! Melancholy and poetic.
The Phil Spector touch is just grand. Rock on Brent 🤘
My first exposure to this song was a Jan & Dean 45, backed with “Popsicle.” My older cousins gave my family a number of 45s, the way you might give old toys as hand-me-downs. We loved the strange sounds on that record, so when we discovered the Beatles’ version, we were upset at how simple it sounded. Both are golden tracks to me now.
Yet another FANTASTIC video Professor! I can't say enough about the Beatles, so thank goodness you said it all for me. There almost no words to describe the phenomenon! The were the greatest band ever. Even the first songs show the magic that later blossomed. The magic and the creativity were nothing short of, well, magical. I know I repeated myself, but the word magic is the most descriptive one. There is almost nothing that even comes close to their genius.
I love Led Zeppelin and Peter Gabriel almost as much, and I respect their genius almost as much, as well as a few others who are on the next tier after them. They are VERY high up in the hierarchy, but not as high. No other band will ever equal them, or certainly not in at least another 50 to 100 years.
To surpass their creativity, whomever that might be would have to invent something completely new, something never before imagined. We are just not in a phase where that can happen. Maybe it will take another World War. Don't forget that London in the 50s, and even the early 60s, was very much in a post war mindset, and the young people like the Beatles were rebelling against that.
The rise of pot and acid were also extremely influencial. I keep saying that acid had the dominant influence more than anything else, during the late part of the Beatles' time, and after they split up. Lets pray for a resurgence of good clean acid, but NOT the trauma of a world war. Maybe the trauma of having endured Trump, his MAGAts, and the disaster he created with Covid, will be traumatic enough to inspire musicians to invent something new.
Acid is such a great thing, if used properly, that it might be able to spark something, even without a World War, although it sure seems like MAGAts are dying to start one.
Here are my heartfelt wishes for a new faze when everyone just wants to get together, forgive all of our differences, and sing All You Need Is Love.
You Won`t See Me. Such a well crafted underrated and perhaps underappreciated song. Brilliant. One of my all time favorites.
George also played the sitar on this, enhancing the song, it's one of my favorites too. And Rubber Soul is my favorite of the Beatles albums.
Very cool. I give George his due!
The sitar was a grand touch!
What a great episode! I don't listen to the Beatles as often as my other favorites, but I have always considered them the cornerstone of Rock n' Roll. Any opportunity to take a deep dive into their work is always appreciated. Priceless history Professor, keep them coming :)
I was very young when i got introduced to Beatles about 6 or 7 years old. Had no like musical understanding but offcourse i liked the music nevertheless. As i got older and got more musical experience you realize that it's crazy how fast they matured as songwriters and musicians! Like you said they changed the way you both write and record music forever. The Beatles and George Martin were a match made in heaven! During the height of their creativity foremost John and Paul came up many weird ideas/suggestions and George Martin was determined to fix it somehow! He was always up for a challenge.
yeh i recently bought all.3 anthology cds 93 hard to believe 30 years old was looking at liner notes they were always trying different or experimenting with different sounds and studio effects same with past masters i have both how many takes were totally different or in progress than the final versions everyones familiar with if mate uk trivia the hmv past masters limited numbered boxset cds and abbey road 1988.original
price sticker was 13.99 pounds i havent been to uk since 2010 today guess would be like 40 dollars or like 20.pounds but they all have nice full size booklets 26 7.pages with photos the parlophone cds are nice quality plus a logo pin
They played around with a lot of musical styles and still made out success. Impressive, honestly.
My uncle lived with us and was very into the Beatles so i grew up with them. So very hard to choose a favorite! Thanks for including them here.
When this song first came out, my older male cousin (I was still an innocent) felt “Norwegian Wood” was really to be interpreted as “Knowing she would”. I could never hear it any other way.
That’s actually pretty endearing.
Yeah, I was told that many years ago. I just did a quick google search and it appears others also think it is meant to be code for "Knowing she would".
John Lennon always had a fascination with word play. It makes complete sense he meant it to be a more lurid “knowing she would,” which is what I had read years ago it was meant to refer to be.
I heard its about having blue balls from a boner
I was surprised that you didn't mention that the line, "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to see you with another man " was borrowed from an Elvis song called "Baby, Let's Play House ". If you didn't already know that, now you do! It's always amazing how much research you put into these videos! You're a very talented and knowledgeable man and, even though I don't have all of the same musical tastes that you have, I really enjoy and appreciate the work you put into these shows! Thank you for all you do!
"In My Life" is my top Beatles cut
You guessed my #1!
I have several #1 songs when it comes to The Beatles.
But I just ordered me a customised t-shirt at MalaRock, and I chose In My Life with 4 lines of the lyrics. So there’s that.
I agree!