So much is said about The Beatles legendary 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band but I think too much of what is said is about it's historical significance and the like. Not enough attention is paid to the music itself. And that's why with this article I'm focusing entirely on the music, one song at a time.
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This opening track really sets the mood for the entire album. The song shifts styles abruptly just like the album does from song to song. And of course the crowd noise and the entire "Sgt. Pepper" concept are introduced here.
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - I know there are quite a few people who think that Joe Cocker really did the definitive version of this song, but I'm definitely not one of those people. I like Cocker's version, but the original contains the real magic to my ears.
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - Now that the original mono version is available easily (with the release of The Beatles in Mono Box Set) it's great to be able to hear what this album sounds like in mono (how it was "meant to be heard" originally.) And the heavy vocal effects on this song is probably one of the more interesting things about the mono mixes for me.
04. "Getting Better" - The "it couldn't get much worse" lyric that Lennon added to this McCartney song is such a great example of the way that Lennon and McCartney made each others songs better even when they weren't righting them "eyeball to eyeball" like in the early days.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - I love this kind of more subtle psychedelia. And yes, this is a very psychedelic song. And how about those lyrics? Anyone who doesn't think McCartney could write lyrics should pay close attention to these.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - This song is very interesting to hear in mono because it's actually sped up (and thus pitched up) in the mono mix. It has a lot more energy that way. Definitely worth a listen!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - How brilliant is it that these lyrics were taken entirely from an 1800s circus poster that Lennon came across? I believe a big part of real genius is being able to be inspired by things that most people wouldn't notice. This is a good example of that.
08. "Within You Without You" - I know a lot of people just can't get down with this kind of music but I certainly can. It's a really tripped out journey into the center of your own mind or is that your own heart? Or perhaps it's India!
09. "When I'm 64" - Some people don't seem to get how "tongue in cheek" this song is. McCartney loved to mess around with different musical styles in this way. In fact I think Ween sort of ripped off their whole shtick from Paul McCartney. Listen to McCartney's "fruity" songs (as George Harrison called them sometimes) from the perspective of Ween doing them and I think maybe they'll click.
10. "Lovely Rita" - I definitely enjoy this song as well but I must say that I do think tracks #10 and #11 are the least interesting tracks on the album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - John was inspired by a Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercial to write this song. Pretty cool lead guitar bits played by Paul.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - This one is even better than the album opener. It rocks something fierce!
13. "A Day in the Life" - In my opinion this is the best song ever written. An absolutely epic way to end the album. - 30404
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This opening track really sets the mood for the entire album. The song shifts styles abruptly just like the album does from song to song. And of course the crowd noise and the entire "Sgt. Pepper" concept are introduced here.
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - I know there are quite a few people who think that Joe Cocker really did the definitive version of this song, but I'm definitely not one of those people. I like Cocker's version, but the original contains the real magic to my ears.
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - Now that the original mono version is available easily (with the release of The Beatles in Mono Box Set) it's great to be able to hear what this album sounds like in mono (how it was "meant to be heard" originally.) And the heavy vocal effects on this song is probably one of the more interesting things about the mono mixes for me.
04. "Getting Better" - The "it couldn't get much worse" lyric that Lennon added to this McCartney song is such a great example of the way that Lennon and McCartney made each others songs better even when they weren't righting them "eyeball to eyeball" like in the early days.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - I love this kind of more subtle psychedelia. And yes, this is a very psychedelic song. And how about those lyrics? Anyone who doesn't think McCartney could write lyrics should pay close attention to these.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - This song is very interesting to hear in mono because it's actually sped up (and thus pitched up) in the mono mix. It has a lot more energy that way. Definitely worth a listen!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - How brilliant is it that these lyrics were taken entirely from an 1800s circus poster that Lennon came across? I believe a big part of real genius is being able to be inspired by things that most people wouldn't notice. This is a good example of that.
08. "Within You Without You" - I know a lot of people just can't get down with this kind of music but I certainly can. It's a really tripped out journey into the center of your own mind or is that your own heart? Or perhaps it's India!
09. "When I'm 64" - Some people don't seem to get how "tongue in cheek" this song is. McCartney loved to mess around with different musical styles in this way. In fact I think Ween sort of ripped off their whole shtick from Paul McCartney. Listen to McCartney's "fruity" songs (as George Harrison called them sometimes) from the perspective of Ween doing them and I think maybe they'll click.
10. "Lovely Rita" - I definitely enjoy this song as well but I must say that I do think tracks #10 and #11 are the least interesting tracks on the album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - John was inspired by a Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercial to write this song. Pretty cool lead guitar bits played by Paul.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - This one is even better than the album opener. It rocks something fierce!
13. "A Day in the Life" - In my opinion this is the best song ever written. An absolutely epic way to end the album. - 30404
About the Author:
The Beatles In Mono Box includes the original mono mix of Sgt. Pepper's. The Beatles In Stereo includes all of The Beatles albums in remastered stereo.
