# Best of the Beatles: Revolver **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 27, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369 "2014-02-27T01:04:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/21 "2014-02-27T05:59:38Z")
Went with “Tomorrow Never Knows”, but there were literally 7 other songs I could have picked and would have been fine with. With this album, my favorite basically changes by day of the week. None of the other albums will be as difficult for me. ---
**Author:** ![Trick\_Rider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Trick\_Rider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trick_Rider)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/22 "2014-02-27T06:26:36Z")
Hard to say. I remember singing along to “Yellow Submarine” when I was a kid, so that’s something of a sentimental favourite. I didn’t listen to the whole album until I was in junior high, when “Tomorrow Never Knows” blew me away. I didn’t think any songs had drum like that until decades later! Now, I think my favourite’s probably “Love You To”. I have a soft spot for George’s stuff and just about any music that incorporates East Indian elements. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/23 "2014-02-27T06:30:23Z")
Everybody needs to have one really sappy song to love, and _Here, There, and Everywhere_ is mine. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/24 "2014-02-27T06:40:20Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I voted for Tomorrow Never Knows, which I think is the Revolver-iest track on the album and also the one that I listen to most often. It’s experimental and fascinating and I love that drum loop. Might be my favorite Beatle song. So far ahead of its time. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/25 "2014-02-27T07:55:18Z")
This one seems to have the perfect balance between the wild, sometimes insane inventiveness of their later output and melodious tightness of the earlier albums. One of the keys, I think, is that despite the forays into psychedelia, almost all the songs end up being held to the pop-traditional 3 minutes or so. “Like this chorus, or harmony, or jangly guitar riff? Well, we’ll do it twice only, then it’s on to the next number.” On any given day, I could vote for pretty much anything on the record except maybe _Yellow Submarine_, but today it’s _And Your Bird Can Sing_ for the wonderful dual-guitar parts, chorus and locomotive beat, and despite Lennon apparently having later disavowed it as nothing but froth. Maybe so, but uncommonly tasty froth, sez I. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/26 "2014-02-27T08:30:26Z")
“Tomorrow Never Knows” is the clear winner for me. Nothing like that had ever been heard before (or since). It burst all known boundaries of how music could expand consciousness. The way it was put together and its total effect are sheer genius. Copy that on the 801 cover; I also really like the '80s cover of it by Monsoon, which took advantage of the drone nature to integrate it with Indian music. (Monsoon’s work in general sounds to me like the direct continuation of George Harrison’s '60s pioneering of Indo-rock syntheses.) “And Your Bird Can Sing” is my second favorite for those breathtakingly _beautiful_ guitar lines. “Love You To” comes in for honorable mention as opened my mind to non-Western music for the first time, which developed into a huge deal for me in following years, speaking of consciousness expansion. During my first hearing of it, I knew deep down that this sound was where my head belonged. Minus side, though, its turbid lyrics don’t add up to much of anything. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/27 "2014-02-27T11:30:03Z")
Like many others it was hard to choose. I went with _For No One_ because, unlike the other songs, I was not familiar with it until a few year ago. It was a real surprise to me. No other Beatles song of love lost feels like such a kick in the gut. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/28 "2014-02-27T16:19:34Z")
These polls are fun - they make me sit down and really listen to some music that maybe I’ve taken for granted over the years. Today it’s a toss-up between _Taxman_ and _And Your Bird Can Sing_. I think I’ll go with _Taxman_, just because I’m a fan of bitter, sarcastic music. Hmmm…but then there’s _Got to Get You Into My Life_… Nope. Today it’s _Taxman_. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/29 "2014-02-27T17:13:59Z")
It was a toss up between Eleanor Rigby and Tomorrow Never Knows for me, but I had to give it to Rigby for its emotion and classic staying power. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/30 "2014-02-27T17:35:48Z")
Was _Revolver_ the last of the Beatle albums where the American and British versions had different songs? It’s weird to me, seeing “Doctor Robert,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” and “I’m Only Sleeping” as _Revolver_ songs. I think they were originally on _Yesterday…and Today_ here in the U.S. Anyway, I’m voting for “She Said, She Said.” Tough decision, but: _I said, who put all those things in your head? Things that make me feel like I’m mad. And you’re making me feel like I’ve never been born._ Great stuff. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/31 "2014-02-27T17:58:46Z")
Tomorrow Never Knows. A fun song and revolutionary at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/32 "2014-02-27T18:06:47Z")
I’m cutting and pasting the track listing here and then using the process of elimination to winnow down the list. Here goes: After deliberation I’m down to three songs. **Taxman** - It rocks, and the lyrics are based on real tax issues that George and The Beatles suddenly found themselves immersed in. I doubt they had financial advisers at the time. Paul’s guitar solos are great. **I’m Only Sleeping** - I like the concept here. There were so many years I spent getting out of bed when the kids were small, and so many afternoons where I would have killed for a nap, but couldn’t due to other responsibilities. I can imagine John saying those words to Cynthia after a long recording session, or after a hectic tour: “_Please, don’t wake me, no, don’t shake me. Leave me where I am, I’m only sleeping._” **For No One** - Quintessential Paul. A wonderfully bitter recognition of the impending end of a relationship “_that should have lasted years_.” How can’t you sing along? Today, **Taxman** wins. This was a really difficult choice. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/33 "2014-02-27T18:22:14Z")
If there’s a thread meant for board member **Eleanor Rigby,** this one might be it. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/34 "2014-02-27T18:53:04Z")
So tough! As a kid I almost never listened to this album. Loved _Abbey Road_, loved _Sgt. Pepper_, had good stretches where I listened to _The White Album_ and _Magical Mystery Tour_, and liked a few tracks off of _Rubber Soul_ but never really enjoyed _Revolver_. A year or so ago I decided to put it in the CD player and give it another whirl, and it blew my f’ing mind. Let me first say that, while _Eleanor Rigby_ may have been a great innovation in orchestration/songwriting, it leaves me cold, and I think there are so many better Beatles songs, right here on this very album! My vote is for _She Said She Said_. I love the stuttery snare fills, the lyrics, production, funky time signature bits, and the guitar riffs that echo the vocals. Close seconds go to _Tomorrow Never Knows_ and _For No One_. And _And Your Bird Can Sing_. And _Taxman_. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/35 "2014-02-27T23:14:27Z")
For sentimental reasons I’d like to say that one of the things that drew me to my girlfriend is the fact that she named Revolver as her favorite Beatles album. It was a plus that she liked the Beatles, but what impressed me was that she had the taste to name a specific album and pick one of the very best ones - and not just the best-known, even though Revolver isn’t exactly obscure. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/36 "2014-02-28T07:19:46Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > For sentimental reasons I’d like to say that one of the things that drew me to my girlfriend is the fact that she named Revolver as her favorite Beatles album. It was a plus that she liked the Beatles, but what impressed me was that she had the taste to name a specific album and pick one of the very best ones - and not just the best-known, even though Revolver isn’t exactly obscure. Is she Catholic? Maybe she was just following the [Infallible One’s](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/arts/music/15arts-VATICANSTOP1_BRF.html?_r=0) decree. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/37 "2014-02-28T15:14:44Z")
You folks surprise me. I expected _She Said She Said_ to run away with it based on past discussions of favorite Beatles songs. It gets my vote because it has all four guys playing the hell out of their instruments. Style-wise, it glides so enticingly between rocking hard & psychedelic that I find it impossible to classify it as anything other than a Beatles song. The Paul songs are great, but the major collaboration on those is between Paul & George Martin. _She Said She Said_ is the motherfucking Beatles! ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/38 "2014-02-28T18:11:27Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Was _Revolver_ the last of the Beatle albums where the American and British versions had different songs? It’s weird to me, seeing “Doctor Robert,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” and “I’m Only Sleeping” as _Revolver_ songs. I think they were originally on _Yesterday…and Today_ here in the U.S. Yes. The Beatles put an end to that nonsense when they had the lyrics to all the songs printed on the cover of Sgt Pepper’s and refused to change the cover for the US version. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/39 "2014-02-28T18:25:43Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Yes. The Beatles put an end to that nonsense when they had the lyrics to all the songs printed on the cover of Sgt Pepper’s and refused to change the cover for the US version. Yes and no: all the “real” albums from Pepper on were indeed released intact in the USA (although \*Yellow Submarine \*and \*Let It Be \*had packaging differences), but Capitol still had a couple of tricks up its sleeve. They expanded _Magical Mystery Tour_, originally a double 7" record set, into a full LP, and scraped together enough non-LP tracks for the \*Hey Jude _album_, released in between \*Abbey Road \*and _Let It Be_. These two non-canonical albums were popular enough that they eventually did get released in the UK in 1976 and 1979 respectively. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369/40 "2014-02-28T23:40:41Z")
> [@wedgehed](#): > > You folks surprise me. I expected _She Said She Said_ to run away with it based on past discussions of favorite Beatles songs. It gets my vote because it has all four guys playing the hell out of their instruments. Style-wise, it glides so enticingly between rocking hard & psychedelic that I find it impossible to classify it as anything other than a Beatles song. > > The Paul songs are great, but the major collaboration on those is between Paul & George Martin. > > _She Said She Said_ is the motherfucking Beatles! Good point. Some of us are making “maximum collaboration” a criterion for these polls, some of us aren’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-beatles-revolver/682369.md?page=3)