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Beatles Final Flashcards

Kick ass on finals (73 cards)

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1
Q

Because

A

By John on Abbey Road

Inspired by Yoko playing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”

9 voice harmony between John/Paul/George (this part written by George Martin)

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2
Q

Come Together

A

By John - Abbey Road

Originally written for Timothy Learly (fired for LSD experiments on students); running for Governor of California and asked for a political song (lost to Ronald Reagan)

Conflict with Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me” because John uses “her come old flattop”

“Shoot Me!” hissed throughout the song; dark sound with Lennon’s weird

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3
Q

Golden Slumbers + Carry That Weight + The End + Her Majesty

A

Golden Slumbers, Carry that Weight, The End and Her Majesty all written by Paul - Abbey Road

Golden Slumbers: Paul encounters a book at his father’s home called “Golden Slumbers” by Thomas Dekker, a contemporary Shakespeare

Carry that Weight: Paul reflects how the Beatles’ behavior near the end will eventually catch up with them; feels bad about their ridiculousness

The End: Paul and John play Cassio guitars, Guitar plays a Les Paul
The three of them exchange through guitar solos recorded all in one take

Ringo Starr’s only drum solo and the only time drums are recorded in stereo

“And in the end the love you take/is equal to the love you make” - couplet written by Paul as the last lines in the style of Shakespeare

Her Majesty: Last Song on the album

23 seconds, shortest Beatles song ever

Little lick written by Paul for fun, originally not supposed to be on the album

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4
Q

Here Comes The Sun

A

By George - Abbey Road

Extensive Moog synthesizer usage; guitar goes through a Leslie speaker

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5
Q

I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

A

By John - Abbey Road

Love song to Yoko; vocal masking (remembering LSD)

White noise - fixed filter bank on Moog, replayed vamp

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6
Q

Maxwell’s Silver Hammer

A

by Paul - Abbey Road

Written about a serial killer (very upbeat and happy)

George Harrison’s Moog Synthesizer (analog synths)

French hornist chords and countermelody through the 2nd and 3rd verse (played by Paul)

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7
Q

Mean Mr. Mustard - Sun King

A

Both by John - Abbey Road

Recorded together

Sun King: “Los Paranoias” - made up words and such

Mean Mr. Mustard: based off of a man who died with a bunch of money under his mattress

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8
Q

Octopus’s Garden

A

by Ringo - Abbey Road

Based on Mediterranean octopi living in urns

Bubbles blowing through straw into glass of water, background Ah’s in condenser

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9
Q

Oh! Darling

A

by Paul - Abbey Road

Sang once per day to get a rawer sound, him trying to emulate the “Twist and Shout”

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10
Q

Polythene Pam- She Came in Through the Bathroom Window

A

by Paul - Abbey Road

Recorded together as a continuous mix

Polythene Pam - based off of a girl named Pat from the Beatles’ earlier days who actually ate polythene

She Came in Through the Bathroom Window - George Harrison called the youth outside Apple Studio “Apple Scruff”, some broke into Paul’s home and stole stuff to sell

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11
Q

Something

A

by George - Abbey Road

Slide guitar features in it, thought of Ray Charles when he wrote about it

Gets a lot of work for playing slide

First offered it to Joe Cocker, then recorded with the Beatles

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12
Q

You Never Give Me Your Money

A

by Paul - Abbey Road

A medley of unfinished songs leading into a medley of songs that come together

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13
Q

Across The Universe

A

by John - Let It Be

Lennon wrote this while on LSD

Written in part as a tribute to Maharishi

Meant to be next single, but Lady Madonna went first

Released on a World Wildlife Fund charity LP and later on Let It Be

John was becoming really apathetic because of his LSD use

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14
Q

I Me Mine

A

by George - Let It Be

Last song recorded in the studio

Written by George

Last song recorded together

George fed up with John and Paul’s egoism (very direct and forward song in the lyrics, not trying to disguise the meaning)

Edited by Phil Spector

“I Me Mine” is also the name of George’s biography, where he only mentions John a few times

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15
Q

Two Of Us

A

by Paul - Let It Be

Written about Linda, but tends towards descriptions of John (reminder of their duets when they were younger)

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16
Q

Baby You’re a Rich Man

A

by John - Magical Mystery Tour

Written to Brian Epstein for his “brown bag money dealings” for the Beatles

Recorded and mixed at Olympic Sound Studios in 1 night

First time they recorded and mixed at a different studio

John plays a new instrument - claviolene - an electric instrument that is kind of like an oboe

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17
Q

Blue Jay Way

A

by George - Magical Mystery Tour

Written during George and Patti’s visit to California in 1967

Written by someone who is bored, nothing too exciting musically

Drone: unfocused, blurred harmony oscillates between major and diminished chords, no guitar

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18
Q

Fool On The Hill

A

Written by Paul

Speculated it was written about maharishi

Features a flute section and harmonica, plus recorder solo from Paul

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19
Q

Hello Goodbye

A

Send the song to Ed Sullivan as a promotional film

Also A-side with B-side I am the Walrus

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20
Q

I Am The Walrus

A

Melody influenced by the sound of a police siren

Started recording on September 5

First time to bring in outside singers (Mike Sammes Singers: first outside vocalists)

Also released as B-side with Hello Goodbye

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21
Q

Magical Mystery Tour

A

by Paul - Magical Mystery Tour

The idea of a magical tour bus where magical things happen; dissuaded by friends to do so

4 trumpet players, included David Mason on one of the four trumpets

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22
Q

Penny Lane

A

by Paul - single & Magical Mystery Tour

Recorded during Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band sessions

Released in UK as double A side single with Strawberry Fields Forever in 1967, released in US on Magical Mystery Tour (because US didn’t like singles)

First Beatles single to not reach #1 in England

About a place from Paul’s childhood, in contrast with John’s Strawberry Fields

It’s a shopping district and street, roundabout (bathroom)

Paul says he has been working on it since 1965, but gets to work on it more once the Beatles become big

As many takes for this as Strawberry fields, many piano parts, vocal, guitar, bass and drums last

4 flutes, 4 trumpets, 2 piccolos, 1 flugelhorn, handbell, 2 oboes, 2 English horns, double bass

Paul liked to watch BBC TV Masterworks, played classical music on old instruments. Saw one with a Bach Concerto played by the English chamber orchestra. Saw guy playing a weird trumpet and said he wanted this particular instrument and trumpet player. His name was David Mason, paid 27 pounds and 10 shillings to play the B flat piccolo trumpet. Spend 3 hours playing it out to get it right. Actual recording was done very quickly

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23
Q

Strawberry Fields Forever

A

by John - single and Magical Mystery Tour

Double A single with Penny Lane

About his childhood, relives the happy memories of his youth, it is drug-fueled but some innocence

One of the most complex recordings they had done (backwards tapes, usage of new instruments in the band/studio/recording)

Mellotron: complicated tape machine, use recordings of taped music and can be 	played for 8 seconds at a time 

George Harrison plays a swordmandel (Celtic table harp with metal strings), also brings in slide guitar

Take 1: November 24, 1966 , 7:30 pm - 2:30 am

Paul plays Mellotron using the strings setting but sounds "canned"/fake

Peculiar vocal arrangements, lyrics are rearranged

Take 7: the feel for the song has changed

Paul plays flutes, better slide guitar

Vocal less choral, distinctive guitar style, opening is that of the final version

Take 26: Locomotive version

4 trumpets, 3 cellos, George plays swordmendel

Backwards track of Ringo playing cymbals and high-hat

Paul plays timpani - there finally is an ending (cranberry sauce)

John talks with Martin, wants to combine the different takes (light and heavy) - fade out and fade back in

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24
Q

All You Need is Love

A

by John - single for Our World international concert

5 continent international concert broadcasted on TV to 400 million viewers, first attempt to ever do something like this

BBC asks John to write a simple song, June 25, 1967

John does the verse in 7/4, the chorus in 4/4

4 tracks: 1: pre-taped rhythm track 2: bass, lead guitar solo, drums 3: orchestra 4: vocals

Begins with French national anthem, then greensleeves, then she loves you, then all you need is love then in the mood

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25
Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!
by John - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Intermission track Inspired by a poster of Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal from 2/1843 John lifts most of the lyrics from the poster, wants to create a callope/carnival feel "wants to smell the sawdust on the ground" Martin has Emerick cut up, toss up, and randomly tape together the sound effects, eerie sound Martin collapses on the harmonium after playing the rhythm track for so long Henry the Horse does a waltz; more time changes
26
A Day in the Life
by John and Paul - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Working title: "In the life of…" Inspired by newspaper article describing the death of Tara Brown in a car accident Guiness heir Tara Brown dies on December 18, 1966, recorded on January 19, 1967 John does main parts, Paul does the middle portion 40 musicians overdubbed 4X, for 160 total 4 track machine: first 3 tracks have the Beatles while the 4th has an oscillator (speed control) On second tape machine orchestra is on four different tracks Headphones to speaker to dynamic microphones (you can use headphones to record, not most efficient, but doable) The Big chord at the end is like a barbershop quartet (E chord) John, Paul, Ringo and Mal Evans play 3 pianos on big chord 9 takes and then had to overdub it 3 times One of the most recognizable sounds of the 20th century (like "A Hard Day's Night") At 53.5 seconds started to fade out Spiral out - dog whistle Locked groove - gibberish, edited just enough to fill the locked groove
27
Fixing A Hole
by Paul - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Recorded at Regent Sound where the Rolling Stones recorded because Abbey Road was full George Martin could go as a freelance producer, but not Geoff Emerick because he is tied to EMI Live recording, Harrison has a guitar solo
28
Getting Better
by Paul Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Autobiographical song, mallets are played on piano strings and Paul's guitar, characteristic clang sound Harrison plays tambura on the last verse, adds a profound effect since its right on the verse where Paul talks about beating his woman (didn't actually do it, part of the effect of the song, he clears it up later in an interview)
29
Good Morning Good Morning
by John - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Inspired by a Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercial 3 saxes, 2 trombones, 1 French horn in the background (very brassy) They pull together a bunch of random animal sounds at the end and that ends the track, the last hen clucking leads into the beginning of the following track, matching the note (source of pride for Emerick)
30
A Little Help From My Friends
by Paul and John - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Written for Ringo Working title "Bad Finger Boogie" Some radio stations refused to play it because of drug reference ("I get high with a little help from my friends") When John and Paul wrote it, Paul's idea
31
Lovely Rita
by Paul - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Written about a traffic warden (Meta Davis) who gives him a parking ticket outside Abbey Road (Paul calls her a meter maid) "looked like a Rita to me" - Paul's quote Martin has a piano solo while John plays a comb-and-toliet paper kazoo
32
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
by John - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band John's son Julian brings a drawing of a girl he liked (Lucy O'Donne), says that its "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" Everyone else thinks its about LSD, John denies it Psychedelic, emulating a drug-induced experience Time changes 3/4 to 4/4 to 3/4 Donald Johanson, a paleontologist discovers and early hominid in Africa and names it Lucy In bridge part, vocal masking (guitar and vocal play same parts) John's guitar through a Leslie, George plays the tambura, beginning melody uses a Hammond Organ Banned from radio due to drug references
33
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Title name of album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, kind of an intro track to the album Orchestra warming up for "A Day in the Life" used to start the album Abbey Road tape archive has audience noises in a library (clapping, laughing), use this on track Scream at the end from the Hollywood Bowl, audience laughs as people see them in their funky clothes, 4 French horns Song ends when they announce Billy Sheers (Ringo), goes right into his song "A Little Help from My Friends"
34
She's Leaving Home
by Paul - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band A sadder song, another orchestral arrangement for Paul Two string quartets, double bass, harp (Sheila Bromberg - first female contributor on a record) No Beatles playing instruments, Paul does lead vocals and John backing on March 20 Mike Leander composes the score because Martin is busy, Martin is hurt but agrees to conduct on March 17, Paul absent that day because he is sick
35
When I'm Sixty-Four
by Paul - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Supposedly written back in the days of The Cavern More likely written because his father had recently turned 64 Clarinet trio (2 b flat soprano clarinets, one brass clarinet), scored by George Martin
36
Within You Without You
by George - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band George does the most with Indian classical music George on sitar/guitar, Neil Apsinal on tamboura, Anil Bhagwat on tabla, outside performers (no other Beatles) Written on harmonium at Voorman's home, written in Indian style classical music (very authentic) Session 1: Tabla, swordmandel, dilruba Session 2: 2 dilrubas Session 3: 8 violins, 3 cellos, and sitar Dilruba - like a bowed sitar 10/8 and 4/4 played together
37
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Reprise
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band A compilation of random sounds and sped up versions Aspinal's idea for a closing number, a rockier feel
38
The Ballad of John and Yoko
by John - single Only John and Paul record on this song Describes John/Yoko's "bed in" honeymoon Banned in the US because of the crucifixion reference
39
Don't Let Me Down
by John Single, B-side of "Get Back", 1st record released in UK to enter charts at #1 Lennon word play: "she do/does/done me" Billy Preston on keyboards, influenced by the Band's "I Shall Be Released"
40
Hey Jude
by Paul Not included on The White Album, first ever stereo single (B-side Revolution) Writes for John's song Julian Doesn't like the lyric "the movement you need is on your shoulder", but John really likes it so he keeps it Recorded at Trident Studios on 8 track, huge orchestra
41
The Inner Light
by George - single B-side to "Lady Madonna" single Recorded while Harrison worked on score for "Wonderwall" Based on section of Lao Tse's Taoist holy book "Tao Te Ching" Basic tracks recorded in Mumbai, using Indian studio musicians
42
Lady Madonna
by Paul - single A-side to "The Inner Light" Paul plays boogie boogie piano, 4 piece jazz saxophone section 1st Beatles single not to reach #1 in US since "Eleanor Rigby" Used old microphone on piano to give it older sound
43
Back in the U.S.S.R.
by Paul - The White Album August 22 - Ringo quits the band because he's sick of the bullshit, so Paul plays drums George on guitar, John bass Segues into "Dear Prudence" by John
44
Blackbird
by Paul - The White Album Written in India after being awoken by a blackbird Folk music "finger picking style" References to black civil rights movement Recorded by Paul alone in 6 hours
45
Dear Prudence
by John - The White Album About Prudence Farrow (Mia Farrow's sister) who was shy on the Rishikesh trip Ringo was still not back
46
Don't Pass Me By
by Ringo - The White Album First solo composition, took 5 years
47
Glass Onion
by John - The White Album References to "Strawberry Fields Forever." "I Am The Walrus," "Lady Madonna," "Fool on the Hill," and "Fixing a Hole" String octet featured, Ringo finally back on drums
48
Good Night
by John - The White Album Written as a lullaby for Julian Last song on The White Album Sung by Ringo, backed by Mike Sammes Singers Variation of Cole Porter's "True Love"
49
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
by John - The White Album Working title "Happiness is a warm gun in your hands" Gun advertisement in a magazine 70 takes for rhythm track Many meter changes, many song ideas sewn together as one track 4/4 (moody part at the beginning to 9/4 to 6/8 (mother superior) to 4/4 (happiness is a warm gun) to 3/4 to 4/4
50
Helter Skelter
by Paul - The White Album Take 1: 10 ' 40 "" Take 2: 12 ' 35 " Take 3: 27' 11"" (longest Beatles recording ever) Ringo on drums, Paul on bass and vocals, John/George on guitar and vocals At the end Ringo yells "I've got blisters on my fingers!" because of so many takes
51
I'm So Tired
by John - The White Album Written in India suffering insomnia caused by meditation/marriage anxiety Harmony: altered doo wop chord changes Rhythm: drums loop during verse and goes into standard blues shuffle during middle 8
52
Julia
by John - The White Album Last song recorded for The White Album, first John only song while part of the Beatles Julia is his mother, but one lyric says "ocean child" which is the translation of Yoko Ono
53
Long, Long, Long
by George - The White Album One of four Harrison songs on the album (most he has on any Beatles album)
54
Ob La Di, Ob La Da
by Paul - The White Album Nicky Hopkins plays piano (sideman for the Rolling Stones on tour) Geoff Emerick quits, Ken Scott Replaces him
55
Piggies
by George - The White Album Chris Thomas on harpsichord, Paul on bass, Ringo on tambourine, George on acoustic guitar Criticism on social cannibalism, many Animal Farm allegories and influences Charles Manson listens to many songs on The White Album and hears this as a calling to arms/instruction list on how to kill people
56
Revolution
by John - The White Album Tape loop as a Royal Academy music exam along with a choir, backwards strings, symphony pieces, backwards mellotron Very avant-garde Stockhausen Uses all the two - track tape loops and plays around with them, connecting them all to the mixing console --------- Revolution 1 Take 18 10 minutes, last 6 was a giant pile of chaos, swing feel --------------- Revolution Released as single with Hey Jude on August 30, 1968 Same as #1 just rockier with loud distortion because George and John plug directly into the mixing console and push the VU meter all the way to the red
57
Rocky Raccoon
by Paul - The White Album Paul - acoustic guitar, Ringo drums, John bass/harmonica George Martin honky tonk piano John, Paul, and George background vocals
58
Savoy Truffle
by George - The White Album One of four Harrison songs on the album (most he has on any Beatles album)
59
Sexy Sadie
by John - The White Album About the Maharishi, originally an obscenity-laced song which George Martin has him change
60
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
by George - The White Album Originally on 4 track, moved to an 8 track Eric Clapton (Cream) does the solo reluctantly, but they convince him because they are good friends Beatles set their bickering aside and are on their best behavior for Clapton Tries to mask Clapton's playing (because he has a very unique sound) by running his Les Paul guitar through the mixing console and Leslie speaker
61
Yer Blues
by John - The White Album Written in India, his answer to British "blues boom" of 1968 Recorded live w/ ADT and guitars through Leslie speakers Only Beatles tune Lennon recorded on Stones film: Rock n Roll Circus, and with Plastic Ono Band on Live Peace in Toronto Dylan Reference-ballad of the thin man Eric Clapton on guitar, Mick Jagger, Mitch Mitchell (drummer), Lennon, Keith Richards
62
All Together Now
by Paul - Yellow Submarine and single (with Hey Bulldog) Recorded during Magical Mystery Tour Recorded and mixed in one night at Abbey Road Studios George Martin not present, Geoff Emerick does it, the title is said 50x in 2 minutes
63
Hey Bulldog
by John - Yellow Submarine One of the last few songs of the psychedelic period (11/24/1966 - 2/11/1968)
64
It's All Too Much
by George - Yellow Submarine Working title: Too much A long song about death, maybe some reference to Epstein's suicide note David Mason is one of the 4 trumpets, bass clarinet, Hendrix homage at the start of the song
65
All Things Must Pass
by George - solo album All Things Must Pass Disenchantment with the Beatles, but never released by the Beatles Themes of nature and meditation, title track of George's first solo album All Things Must Pass 1970
66
Dark Horse
by George Written in 1974 after Beatles broke up, term for an underdog who succeeds Liverpudlian term for a man with multiple affairs About the Beatles and his dissolving marriage with Pattie Boyd Title for his solo label "Dark Horse Records"
67
Isn't It A Pity
by George - solo album All Things Must Pass Written in 1966 about the fighting within the Beatles Show's George's karmic view on life, John vetoes the song Released the song in 1970 on George's solo album All Things Must Pass
68
Not Guilty
by George Not on White Album, but 102 takes Aug 7: takes 1-46, Aug 8: 47-102
69
Cold Turkey
by John Written about John's heroin withdrawal after he and Yoko were addicted in 1968 Tries to get the Beatles to put it on The White Album but they refuse
70
God
by John - solo album Plastic Ono Band First solo album Plastic Ono Band, released 1970 John announcing the Beatles' myth is over, he is an individual ("I was the Walrus, and now I'm John")
71
How Do You Sleep?
by John - solo album Imagine Second solo album Imagine, released 1971 John's furious response to "Too many people" (Paul's song) a lot more direct George plays slide guitar, Klaus Voorman on bass John later says the song is about him and not Paul He regrets how angry the song is towards Paul Ringo looked at lyrics and told him he needed to scale back, Yoko probably contributed to the lyrics Asian influence in strings section because of Yoko
72
What's the New Mary Jane
by John Not on The White Album Very avant-garde, features Yoko Ono Dropped from White Album, John tries to get EMI to release it as a single but they refuse
73
Too Many People
by Paul and Linda - solo album Ram Second solo album Ram, released 1971 Veiled reference to John and Yoko, John retaliates on his next solo album Linda sings backup
Beatles Final
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