To American album collectors of the 1960s, Beatles for Sale was an odd duck. Unlike other albums, it neither shares the name of an American collection or primarily matches up with any US release. It became the basis of both Beatles ’65 and Beatles VI, as usual by adding a non-album single, such as I Feel Fine/She’s A Woman.
And note the weariness on their faces, a function, it is believed, of constantly touring, making records or appearing in films.
This continues my reflection of Steve Turner’s “The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Write,” subtitled “the stories behind every song.” Sometimes, the Beatles were as much influenced as influencers. Links to all songs.
I Feel Fine:
It was obviously inspired by Bobby Parker’s riff on his 1961 track ‘Watch Your Step‘.
[Early in 1964] After hearing Freewheeling, which was Dylan’s second album, they went out and bought his debut album Bob Dylan, and according to John…we all when potty on Dylan.
Here’s Bob Dylan’s Dream from Freewheelin’.
Dylan also inspired the thoughtful lyric on You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away, from Help!
It was based, John said, on ‘Silhouettes‘, a big hit in 1957 for the Rays…His repetition of the line “I saw the light’…could possibly be an illusion to Hank Williams’ song of personal salvation ‘I Saw the Light‘ (1948).
Interesting that the two-timed character in the Beatles’ song was tamer than the earlier character in Silhouettes, who threatens to smash her door down.
I received for Christmas, Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism and the Fab Four, edited by Kenneth Womack and Todd F. Davis. The first article, by Ian Marshall, talks about the Beatles archetypes Ringo the goofball, George the quiet spiritual one, John the intellectual activist, and Paul the cute, melodious one. Marshall posits that those distinct personality types” account for some of the enduring appeal of Beatlesmusic.”
ALSO
Paul McCartney weaves in new bits amidst familiar tunes at Fenway Park July 17
Pure McCartney: Early Days – which should segue into other videos
George Harrison estate slams Trump: Don’t use ‘Here Comes The Sun’— try ‘Beware of Darkness’
The First Trailer for Ron Howard’s Beatles Doc Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years
15 Rare, Behind-the-Scenes Photos of the Beatles
Guitarist Randy Bachman: Demystifying the opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night”
How I (fictionally) met someone: “I was attending a meeting of the I Hate The Beatles Club, and you walked in and dragged me out by the collar without saying a word. Seemed odd at the time…”
Drinks at the Gadang Sports Bar
Google Eight Days A Week
Probably no accident that Herman’s Hermits (!) cut a version of “Silhouettes” shortly after the release of Beatles for Sale. Then again, one simply cannot imagine Peter Noone beating down someone’s door.
First time I’ve ever heard Watch Your Step, that’s a great record! Amazing that is came out in 1961.