No, I’m not talking about the horrible Beatles cover band Broadway show thing, I’m talking about the 1966 B single of “Paperback Writer.”  I’m posting “Rain” because I’ve met 4 people in the last two months that had NEVER heard of the song before, which to obsessed Beatle lunatics like myself, is just unfathomable.  Perhaps it makes sense.  “Rain” is rarely included on the best of Beatle compilations out there, and it was never on any of the main albums.  Of course, it did show up on Past Masters Volume 2, the second part of their epic singles release record.  Being a B-Side, “Rain” wasn’t played as much as “Paperback Writer,” a #1, and only got as high as 23 on the US charts.  It’s a shame, because its just as good and more revolutionary then “Paperback Writer.” “Rain” features one of Paul’s most intricate bass lines, Ringo’s first real psychedelic drumming, and just stunningly gorgeous harmonies from John, Paul, and George.  Also, its the first pop song ever to have backwards vocals, tacked on the end.  It’s the song that paved the way for the glorious psychedelic pop that was to come on Revolver, remarkable in that the Beatles were so good they didn’t need to include their masterpiece singles to pad out their albums, utterly unprecedented in music history.  So, for everyone who hasn’t sapped in the luxurious beauty that is “Rain,” enjoy.  PS- This was also one of the first music videos ever…so put that in your pipes and smoke it too!

Part 8 of my favorite youtube video series continues with my favorite Beatles song, “Don’t Let Me Down.”  Now, for most people who love the Beatles, its not easy maintaining a favorite song, or album, or group member.  They change with age, the seasons, and experience.  But I can say, that at least for the past five years, “Don’t Let Me Down” has never left my top 3 of favorite Beatle tunes, and lately has been perched untouched as #1.  Why?  Because its pure unadulterated naked soul from Mr. Lennon at a time when he was just beginning to open up his heart and vulnerability in a way he had never allowed before.  It was made a year before the Beatles split, and a year, before John released his seminal solo debut, the gut wrenchingly introspective Plastic Ono Band.  The song is presumably a plea to Yoko Ono, one in which he exclaims his undying love for her.  At the same time, he is having a dialog with himself in which he expresses how the possibility of losing his new and total love is causing him fear and anxiety.  Its just a beautiful real message with no easy answers sung with the utmost level of soul and passion.  When the Beatles started, they exclusively wrote love songs, but slowly branched out to more introspective material.  As they got older, they developed a mastery of combining all of these elements, and wrote the greatest love songs ever.  This is one of them.  Enjoy.