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 is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
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" - One of the bands most famous songs. This is a great one to listen to in mono (you have to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set) because it sounds so much different in mono than it does in stereo. There's a lot more effect on the vocal in mono!
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" - Tracks 4 through 6 are a beautiful slice of McCartney magic and I think this is actually my favorite of that great trio of songs.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - What a deliciously weird song this is. It's brilliant how "far out" this album takes you. It's like a journey to different parts of the world (and certainly there is time traveling involved as well.)
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 Sixty-Four" - I love how quickly the musical styles change with this album. We go from a carnival to India to music hall!
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this 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)" - Rocks harder than the first version. I love how it ties the album together and it's brilliant how this closing version is "looser" just like a band may be looser at the end of a real show. And that's what the concept of this album was all about after all. The idea was that this album would "go on tour" rather than the band themselves.
13. "A Day in the Life" - The greatest song ever.
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
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" - One of the bands most famous songs. This is a great one to listen to in mono (you have to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set) because it sounds so much different in mono than it does in stereo. There's a lot more effect on the vocal in mono!
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" - Tracks 4 through 6 are a beautiful slice of McCartney magic and I think this is actually my favorite of that great trio of songs.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - What a deliciously weird song this is. It's brilliant how "far out" this album takes you. It's like a journey to different parts of the world (and certainly there is time traveling involved as well.)
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 Sixty-Four" - I love how quickly the musical styles change with this album. We go from a carnival to India to music hall!
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this 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)" - Rocks harder than the first version. I love how it ties the album together and it's brilliant how this closing version is "looser" just like a band may be looser at the end of a real show. And that's what the concept of this album was all about after all. The idea was that this album would "go on tour" rather than the band themselves.
13. "A Day in the Life" - The greatest song ever.
About the Author:
In order to hear Sgt. Pepper's in mono you must buy The Beatles In Mono. It's highly recommend that you buy both Beatles Remastered Box Sets.
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