The White Album, The Beatles

 

Overall, like their first few albums, I feel like I am missing some really vital context to be able to truly appreciate this album. I’m positive that it was groundbreaking. Clearly a huge change is the variety in song styles. And I’m sure that’s something that makes it so great. But for enjoyment of listening, it doesn’t work for me. It’s musical whiplash. It has some amazing stand out tracks, and I absolutely can appreciate the talent and artistry of the whole album. But I don’t ever think I want to listen to the album start to finish again. 

If I wrote fine, that means that while I didn’t find anything wrong with the song, I really don’t have any desire to hear it again. 

 Back in the USSR: We are totally gonna skip over the fact that this was probably the worst week on record to be listening to this song. On repeat. Which I did, because it is a goddamn jam. Politically it’s a mess. But the beat, the melody, the guitars. It’s one of my favs so far.

But yeah, I felt like a monster listening to it with what’s happening in Ukraine.

 Dear Prudence: This song has been covered a lot I think. And I think I’ve heard it more times by other people than I have by the Beatles. On first listen I was thinking I like the covers better. But I listened to it a few more times and it’s growing on me. Other singers have better voices tho, and on this song, that matters a bit. But I think the song is great.

 Glass Onion: I don’t love it? The self references are kind of oddly self absorbed?  One or two references = Cool Easter eggs for true fans! A whole song of them? Eh.

 Ob la Di: In grade school this was one of my friends favorite songs. I dropped her in high school. I mean… I guess if I were drunk enough, I’d have fun singing along.

 Wild Honey Pie. The ending to the song could be pure gold, and I would never know because I skipped out of it after 10 seconds. My ears hurt.

 Bungalow Bill: I mean OK, but why? It’s not often I have to ask, why did they make this song?  I like the silly, “All the children sing”.

 While My Guitar: Is this song beloved? I think this song is beloved. I like it. It reminds me v much of All Along the Watchtower. Which the Internet tells me was released the same year, so that’s interesting. If they were released so close together, I wouldn’t think one influenced to the other.

 happiness is a warm gun: I prefer Tori‘s version. J/K. I… don’t think I understand the lyrics. 

 Martha My Dear: This album is full of songs that I don’t have strong feelings for. It’s fine.

 I’m So Tired: Me, too John. So say we all.

I like this. I like the build.

 Blackbird: Love this. Good to sing to. Lose the bird song at the end tho.

 Piggies: ??

 Rocky Raccoon: Annoying. Oh good, another song about murder and jealousy. We’re still not past that, even after all those drugs?

 don’t pass me by: Fine, I guess. 

 why don’t we do it in the road: Delightful. This was a college fav. Everyone with a guitar could play it.

 I will: Fine. 

  Julia: Fine.

 Birthday: I really want to be able to sing this song to people on their birthdays, but they really made that impossible without lying. It will never not remind me of Sixteen Candles.

 Yer Blues: John…. Are you OK? 

 Mother Nature’s Son: Eh.

  Fine.

 Sexie Sadie Fine.

 Helter Skelter: Love it. I listened to it a lot in high school. Sadly, I think I first heard the U2 version. But then immediately found the original. It’s funny to hear Paul using what I would consider to be a metal voice, especially at the end. I’m a sucker for their songs coming back at the end. 

 Long: Fine.

 Rev 1: Holy shit this song is a groove. I think I forgot this version existed. The only one I remembered was the faster rockier one. But this, with the shoobidoowops?? The electric guitars? The beat? So groovy. I listened to it like 20 times. The message is pretty relevant to today as well.

 Honey Pie: oh my god is this album still going? The last Song would’ve been great to end on. 

 Savoy Truffle: fine.

 Cry baby cry: So I don’t remember hearing this one before but… I’ve heard it quoted dozens of times. Because in the first ep of Firefly, the crew is deploying a fake distress signal called the “Crybaby”, and Wash says, “Cry baby cry” and Mal responds, “Make your mother sigh.” 

I was such a mega firefly fan, that I am mortified to learn that there was a reference out there that many firefly watchers were getting, and I was clueless about.

The song is decent.

 Rev 9: I would like to reiterate that I listen to these tracks while doing my physical therapy. Working out. To this. 

You know how they say everyone remembers where they were when they heard JFK died? Does everyone remember where they were when they first heard revolution number nine? I have very few memories and I do. 

 Good Night: Should have said that hours ago. It’s fine.

I hope I didn’t insult any of your favorite songs and we’re not friends anymore. I actually didn’t really dislike anything on the album. I just didn’t love a lot either. 

Except Wild Honey Pie. Fuck that song.