Beatles' WORST song?

danbind · March 23rd, 2005, 08:31 AM

Okay, we all know how Great and Important the Beatles were--and I'm not being facetious--but which Beatles song makes you cringe? Some tunes haven't aged very well, but what I am looking for here are the ones that, when you hear them, you think "Ugh--that really IS a clunker, isn't it?". Considering the size of their catalog, this list is probably pretty short. Compare that to, say, the Who, whom I'm a big fan of, but for every "A Quick One", there is a "Fiddle About".

My personal vote is for "Octopus' Garden". I got the "Blue" album when I was about 11, and I remember even then thinking "this is all frosting and no cake" (I sure I used a different metaphor then). Great slide guitar, but the backing vocals and bubble sounds--arghh!

PS: apologies to beez for hijacking his ideas. Another good poll for this group might be "favorite Beatles guitar solo."

jz63 · March 23rd, 2005, 08:58 AM

I would vote for "When I Get Home". Does "Revolution #9 count as a song? My "Rev #9 story is as follows... I was in a bar in Tulsa once that had gone from being a cool little dive to being "the" Univ of Tulsa frat hangout. The new owner had put both discs of the WHITE ALBUM on the jukebox. I was so sad to see the change in atmosphere that as I left I put $4 worth of quarters in the jukebox and punched up "Rev #9" over and over.

Paul G. · March 23rd, 2005, 09:00 AM

A cover, but still lousy.

P.

J-man · March 23rd, 2005, 09:21 AM

Not a Beatles song but that really cheesy one that Paul McCartney did on that beach somewhere in the UK about that village. (anyone who can fill me in on what it's called appreciated)

bo · March 23rd, 2005, 09:57 AM

"The Inner Light", "You Know My Name (look up the number)", "Flying", "Only a Northern Song" and the covers of "Mr. Moonlight" and "Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey". For that matter, I'd chuck in half the White Album, most of "Abbey Road" and all of "Let It Be".

BB · March 23rd, 2005, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jz63

I would vote for "When I Get Home". Does "Revolution #9 count as a song? My "Rev #9 story is as follows... I was in a bar in Tulsa once that had gone from being a cool little dive to being "the" Univ of Tulsa frat hangout. The new owner had put both discs of the WHITE ALBUM on the jukebox. I was so sad to see the change in atmosphere that as I left I put $4 worth of quarters in the jukebox and punched up "Rev #9" over and over.

That is soo funny! Too bad you didn't have $8 worth of quarters!

Telemaniac · March 23rd, 2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-man

Not a Beatles song but that really cheesy one that Paul McCartney did on that beach somewhere in the UK about that village. (anyone who can fill me in on what it's called appreciated)

M(D)ull of Kintyre? It's even got bagpipes (sorry Scotland!)!

danbind · March 23rd, 2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Not a Beatles song but that really cheesy one that Paul McCartney did on that beach somewhere in the UK about that village. (anyone who can fill me in on what it's called appreciated)

"Mull of Kintyre". I actually like that one!

If we expanded this thread to Sir Paul/Wings, it would bring the Internet to its knees! The guy is a genius, but talk about someone who needed an editor! "No, Paul, Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" may be chock full'o hooks, but...please, try to turn that one annoying song into maybe four GOOD songs." "Mamunia"? Try to think of a different title--one that makes sense. "Magneto and Ti"--oh, I give up.

FUMoney · March 23rd, 2005, 11:57 AM

"You Know My Name" I guess they were just having fun with it but I do really hate that one.

Ed

mark norwine · March 23rd, 2005, 12:03 PM

goodnight.

pointless dreck

TheGoodTexan · March 23rd, 2005, 12:07 PM

There are some orchestral arrangments on Yellow Submarine that are awful.

DAK · March 23rd, 2005, 12:27 PM

If so, I'd pick Mr. Moonlight. Wasn't crazy about the way they did the Miracles' "You Really Got a Hold on Me," either. The covers they seemed to make their own were "Boys" and "Anna."

As far as Beatles originals, hmmm... can't think of anything I'd call a "worst" song. The song I was probably less fond of than all the others was "Yellow Submarine." Not a bad song... just didn't live up to rest of stuff on "Revolver," IMHO.

snoglobe · March 23rd, 2005, 12:30 PM

and so does that song, much to my dismay.

Cassady · March 23rd, 2005, 12:39 PM

This was only released on Anthology 2, but it's pretty bad--it sounds absolutely great, but the lyrics don't make much sense. I can see why they didn't release it until the Anthology series.

Really, though, the Beatles worst moments are better than most bands best ones.

GopherTele · March 23rd, 2005, 12:46 PM

There are so many that have been played and played and played and played and played and played and played for years and years and years...that I instinctively turn the station whenever almost any Beatles song comes on.

But if I had to pick ONE, I would have to say In My Life--it's maudlin and cheesy and so chocked full of baby-boomer nostaglia I just wince every time I hear it.

Pigsfootpeete · March 23rd, 2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassady

Really, though, the Beatles worst moments are better than most bands best ones.

AMEN!! :)

tiktok · March 23rd, 2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jz63

I would vote for "When I Get Home". Does "Revolution #9 count as a song? My "Rev #9 story is as follows... I was in a bar in Tulsa once that had gone from being a cool little dive to being "the" Univ of Tulsa frat hangout. The new owner had put both discs of the WHITE ALBUM on the jukebox. I was so sad to see the change in atmosphere that as I left I put $4 worth of quarters in the jukebox and punched up "Rev #9" over and over.

Revolution #9? That's a great piece. But maybe not appropriate for casual public listening.

Once I was in a bar an punched up an hour's worth of "Maggot Brain". After about three plays the room had visibly sunk lower, and the bartender walked over and unplugged the juke box to reset it.

Bob Rogers · March 23rd, 2005, 01:19 PM

I nominate The Word. The worst song during my favorite period: Rubber Soul/Revolver. Beatles worst song polls are kind of a personality test to see which sets your teeth on edge more - Paul's sentimentality or John's sanctimony. Guess its not hard to see which side I fall on.

On some of the comments above - I always thought that Mr. Moonlight was tongue in cheek, a chance to clown around, No? I never liked The Inner Light until Jeff Lynn did it on The Concert for George. That's an excellent version. When I Get Home is probably topped in the "wife beating is my hobby" category by Run for your Life but that has a better tune.

Bob Rogers · March 23rd, 2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGoodTexan

There are some orchestral arrangments on Yellow Submarine that are awful.

All George Martin. Does the count as Beatles? Probably yes.

jz63 · March 23rd, 2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigsfootpeete

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassady

Really, though, the Beatles worst moments are better than most bands best ones.

AMEN!! :)

You said it brother!

I am constantly amazed at how many people know the words to obscure Beatles tunes. I've been at parties and gatherings where there have been guitars and and someone will pick something obscure from the HELP soundtrack, or something off of the third side of the WHITE ALBUM, and it never fails that most everyone knows the words and sings along. Not just the musos but everyone.

BB · March 23rd, 2005, 01:58 PM

It amazes me how few stinkers there are in the Beatles catalog. For the volume of work they produced, I do believe their entitled to a clunker now and then. While some of their early lyics have a pretty high cheese factor compared to what passes for todays jaded "pop" music, back then it was cutting edge stuff. The only songs I really don't care for are some of Georges ( and I love and respect the man ) forays into the sitar. The whole eastern, microtonal scale thing is akin to nails on a blackboard to me. Some of the scales sound cool when used sparingly ala Beck in Over, Under, Sideways down and Heart full of Soul, ect, and the psuedo dano sitar effects of Steely's "Do it Again" and Tommy Tedescos studio work on pop songs is great, but whole songs of the real thing make me want to jump in the Ganges for a cleansing!

David Barnett · March 23rd, 2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUMoney

"You Know My Name" I guess they were just having fun with it but I do really hate that one.

But that one's got Brian Jones of The Stones on alto saxophone.

While I'm still pissed that you guys beat me to the punch with "Mr. Moonlight" and "The Word", here's a couple of real stinkers that haven't been mentioned yet: "Dr. Robert" and "What's The New Mary Jane".

Geo · March 23rd, 2005, 02:16 PM

Three way tie here
Octopus' Garden
Yellow Sub
Oh Bla De Bla Da (or however)

None of these were too bad in moderation but
I got over exposure to 'em in the late '60s to the
point where it got irritateing hearing them.
Almost but not quite like Freeway and Stairbird
in the '70s.

jwsamuel · March 23rd, 2005, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassady

This was only released on Anthology 2, but it's pretty bad--it sounds absolutely great, but the lyrics don't much sense. I can see why they didn't release it until the Anthology series.

If you want to include songs that were not released during the beatles lifetime as a group, I'd say the worst is "What's The New Mary Jane"

You rarely get lyrics like these:

She looks as an African queen,
she eating twelve chapattis and cream,
she tastes as Mongolian lamb,
she coming from out of Bahran.

What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.
What a shame Mary Jane.
What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.

She like to be married with Yeti,
he grooving such cooky spaghetti,
she jumping as Mexican bean
to make that her body more thin.

What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.
What a shame Mary Jane.
What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.

She catch Patagonian pancake
with that one a gin party makes.
She having all the ways good contacts,
she making with Apple an contract.

What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.
What a shame Mary Jane.
What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.

All together now:

What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.
What a shame Mary Jane.
What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.

She looks as an African queen,
she tastes as Mongolian lamb.

What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.
What a shame Mary Jane.
What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.

What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.
What a shame Mary Jane.
What a shame Mary Jane
had a pain at the party.

Jim

shakedancer · March 23rd, 2005, 02:20 PM

They were and are the greatest group of all time. If you were not there in 1964 you'll never really understand. Their throwaway songs are better than any of the garbage thats out today.

March 23rd, 2005, 08:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
danbind TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 71	Beatles' WORST song? Okay, we all know how Great and Important the Beatles were--and I'm not being facetious--but which Beatles song makes you cringe? Some tunes haven't aged very well, but what I am looking for here are the ones that, when you hear them, you think "Ugh--that really IS a clunker, isn't it?". Considering the size of their catalog, this list is probably pretty short. Compare that to, say, the Who, whom I'm a big fan of, but for every "A Quick One", there is a "Fiddle About". My personal vote is for "Octopus' Garden". I got the "Blue" album when I was about 11, and I remember even then thinking "this is all frosting and no cake" (I sure I used a different metaphor then). Great slide guitar, but the backing vocals and bubble sounds--arghh! PS: apologies to beez for hijacking his ideas. Another good poll for this group might be "favorite Beatles guitar solo."

March 23rd, 2005, 09:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Paul G. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 885	Mr Moonlight A cover, but still lousy. P. __________________ Listen to your mother

March 23rd, 2005, 09:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
J-man Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Wales/Scarborough Age: 19 Posts: 6,100 9 Photos	Not a Beatles song but that really cheesy one that Paul McCartney did on that beach somewhere in the UK about that village. (anyone who can fill me in on what it's called appreciated) __________________ Write a wise saying and your name will live forever. - Unknown When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Hunter S Thompson

March 23rd, 2005, 12:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
DAK Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 525	Do covers count? If so, I'd pick Mr. Moonlight. Wasn't crazy about the way they did the Miracles' "You Really Got a Hold on Me," either. The covers they seemed to make their own were "Boys" and "Anna." As far as Beatles originals, hmmm... can't think of anything I'd call a "worst" song. The song I was probably less fond of than all the others was "Yellow Submarine." Not a bad song... just didn't live up to rest of stuff on "Revolver," IMHO. __________________ DAK

March 23rd, 2005, 12:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
snoglobe Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 517	obladoo obladee life goes on now and so does that song, much to my dismay. __________________ Snoglobe "The liver is bad, it must be punished!"

March 23rd, 2005, 08:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
jz63 Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: London U.K. Age: 38 Posts: 479	I would vote for "When I Get Home". Does "Revolution #9 count as a song? My "Rev #9 story is as follows... I was in a bar in Tulsa once that had gone from being a cool little dive to being "the" Univ of Tulsa frat hangout. The new owner had put both discs of the WHITE ALBUM on the jukebox. I was so sad to see the change in atmosphere that as I left I put $4 worth of quarters in the jukebox and punched up "Rev #9" over and over.

March 23rd, 2005, 09:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
bo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,714	"The Inner Light", "You Know My Name (look up the number)", "Flying", "Only a Northern Song" and the covers of "Mr. Moonlight" and "Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey". For that matter, I'd chuck in half the White Album, most of "Abbey Road" and all of "Let It Be".

March 23rd, 2005, 11:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
FUMoney Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Cape May,NJ Posts: 255	"You Know My Name" I guess they were just having fun with it but I do really hate that one. Ed

March 23rd, 2005, 12:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
mark norwine Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Age: 50 Posts: 1,363	goodnight. pointless dreck

March 23rd, 2005, 12:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
Cassady Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 541	If You've Got Trouble This was only released on Anthology 2, but it's pretty bad--it sounds absolutely great, but the lyrics don't make much sense. I can see why they didn't release it until the Anthology series. Really, though, the Beatles worst moments are better than most bands best ones.

March 23rd, 2005, 12:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
GopherTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 946	There are so many... There are so many that have been played and played and played and played and played and played and played for years and years and years...that I instinctively turn the station whenever almost any Beatles song comes on. But if I had to pick ONE, I would have to say In My Life--it's maudlin and cheesy and so chocked full of baby-boomer nostaglia I just wince every time I hear it.

March 23rd, 2005, 01:19 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bob Rogers Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,710	I nominate The Word. The worst song during my favorite period: Rubber Soul/Revolver. Beatles worst song polls are kind of a personality test to see which sets your teeth on edge more - Paul's sentimentality or John's sanctimony. Guess its not hard to see which side I fall on. On some of the comments above - I always thought that Mr. Moonlight was tongue in cheek, a chance to clown around, No? I never liked The Inner Light until Jeff Lynn did it on The Concert for George. That's an excellent version. When I Get Home is probably topped in the "wife beating is my hobby" category by Run for your Life but that has a better tune.

March 23rd, 2005, 01:58 PM	#21 (permalink)
BB Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pacific NW Age: 53 Posts: 3,049	It amazes me how few stinkers there are in the Beatles catalog. For the volume of work they produced, I do believe their entitled to a clunker now and then. While some of their early lyics have a pretty high cheese factor compared to what passes for todays jaded "pop" music, back then it was cutting edge stuff. The only songs I really don't care for are some of Georges ( and I love and respect the man ) forays into the sitar. The whole eastern, microtonal scale thing is akin to nails on a blackboard to me. Some of the scales sound cool when used sparingly ala Beck in Over, Under, Sideways down and Heart full of Soul, ect, and the psuedo dano sitar effects of Steely's "Do it Again" and Tommy Tedescos studio work on pop songs is great, but whole songs of the real thing make me want to jump in the Ganges for a cleansing!

March 23rd, 2005, 02:16 PM	#23 (permalink)
Geo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hendersonville, TN Age: 59 Posts: 2,439 15 Photos	Three way tie here Octopus' Garden Yellow Sub Oh Bla De Bla Da (or however) None of these were too bad in moderation but I got over exposure to 'em in the late '60s to the point where it got irritateing hearing them. Almost but not quite like Freeway and Stairbird in the '70s. __________________ "Somewhere between culture and agriculture"

March 23rd, 2005, 02:20 PM	#25 (permalink)
shakedancer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: north of Boston Posts: 1,634	They were and are the greatest group of all time. If you were not there in 1964 you'll never really understand. Their throwaway songs are better than any of the garbage thats out today. __________________ "If you don't like the Blues, you got to have a Hole in your Soul." Luther Allison JOE