First Memories of the Beatles

First Memories of the Beatles...

My first memories of the Beatles is in the mid to late 60s. I have a neighbor who has been like a father to me, and he owns a record player. If I am not mistaken the brand of the record player is JVC Nivico. He has a few Beatles record. I guess they are originals. At that time it probably is not worthwhile producing 'pirated' record since probably not many people own a record player. Eventually however, 'pirated' records were everywhere in the mid 70s when most people finally are able to own a record player. I don't know what happen to the Beatles record, probably it would be worth a lot now. How I wish I could own them!

The first song that come to mind when I look back at those years is Love Me Do. To me the most distinctive part of the song is the sound of the bluesy harmonica by John Lennon. Also there is the Everly Brothers type harmony during lyrics such as  'so ple...ee...ease'.  For those who did not know, Love Me Do, was actually recorded in 3 different sessions, all with different drummer: Pete Best (original Beatles drummer), Ringo Starr (who replaced Pete Best) and Andy White (studio session drummer)



"Love Me Do"

Love, love me do
You know I love you
I'll always be true
So please, love me do
Whoa, love me do

Love, love me do
You know I love you
I'll always be true
So please, love me do
Whoa, love me do

Someone to love
Somebody new
Someone to love
Someone like you

Love, love me do
You know I love you
I'll always be true
So please, love me do
Whoa, love me do

Love, love me do
You know I love you
I'll always be true
So please, love me do
Whoa, love me do
Yeah, love me do
Whoa, oh, love me do

During that time in the sixties everybody wanted to be like the Beatles...getting Beatles hair, wearing Beatles shoes.





They were the fashion icons at that time...



When I look at their record sleeve, the Beatles that stood out for at that time is Ringo Starr. Easily identifiable, probably because of his height, probably because how 'different' he looks from the rest. It took me quite some time to remember and differentiate John, Paul or George.

My Favorite Beatles Album

Rubber Soul



To me Rubber Soul is the best Beatles album ever. Why? Probably because is it the first 'concept' album. Usually album in the sixties are merely collections of singles packed together in an LP, but Rubber Soul is an album written as a true album. 

It is also ranked number 5 in Rolling Stone Magazine 500 Best Album of All Time.

Do you know that there are actually 2 versions of Rubber Soul?

The one released in the UK on December 3rd 1965 has the following songs...

Side 1
1. "Drive My Car"   McCartney with Lennon 2:25 
2. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"   Lennon with McCartney 2:01 
3. "You Won't See Me"   McCartney 3:18 
4. "Nowhere Man"   Lennon with McCartney and Harrison 2:40 
5. "Think for Yourself" (George Harrison) Harrison 2:16 
6. "The Word"   Lennon and McCartney with Harrison 2:41 
7. "Michelle"   McCartney 2:33 

Side 2
1. "What Goes On" (Lennon–McCartney–Richard Starkey) Starr 2:47 
2. "Girl"   Lennon 2:30 
3. "I'm Looking Through You"   McCartney 2:23 
4. "In My Life"   Lennon 2:24 
5. "Wait"   Lennon and McCartney 2:12 
6. "If I Needed Someone" (Harrison) Harrison 2:20 
7. "Run for Your Life"   Lennon 2:18 

The one released in North America by Capitol Records 3 days later has the following songs...

Side one  

1. "I've Just Seen a Face"   McCartney 2:04 

2. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"   Lennon with McCartney 2:05 

3. "You Won't See Me"   McCartney 3:19 

4. "Think for Yourself" (Harrison) Harrison 2:19 

5. "The Word"   Lennon with McCartney and Harrison 2:42 

6. "Michelle"   McCartney 2:42 

Side two  

1. "It's Only Love"   Lennon 1:53 

2. "Girl"   Lennon 2:33 

3. "I'm Looking Through You"   McCartney 2:24 

4. "In My Life"   Lennon 2:24 

5. "Wait"   Lennon and McCartney 2:15 

6. "Run for Your Life"   Lennon 2:15 

Probably the best song in the album is "In My Life" with John Lennon as the lead vocals. See the beautiful lyrics below...

In My Life

There are places I'll remember

All my life, though some have changed

Some forever, not for better

Some have gone and some remain

All these places have their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life, I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers

There is no one compares with you

And these memories lose their meaning

When I think of love as something new

Though I know I'll never lose affection

For people and things that went before

I know I'll often stop and think about them

In my life, I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection

For people and things that went before

I know I'll often stop and think about them

In my life... I love you more

In my life... I love you more