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8.36am
1 July 2020
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We have 5 songs here today! Which is better, in your opinion?
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Jules, ScrambledEggs65I'm just a random forum user.
9.41am
22 July 2019
Offline My personal ranking:
5) Helter Skelter : A bit of an unpopular opinion. While I do respect it's everlasting legacy on the direction and image of hard rock, it's a bit too raw for my taste. This may come as a bit condenscending, but I think this song's more style than substance, overall. That's not to say I don't enjoy it, but not as much as the other tracks.
4) Rocky Raccoon : I like this song a lot, and I consider it one of the highlights on the White Album . Really great and kooky songwriting, and accompanied by the instrumentation and tone, it's a particularly distinct track in the Beatle's iconography (though you can make the case for almost all songs, independently). However, I think the song suffers a little bit from the subpar production, though the recent remakes and remasters have alleviated the song's quality to a much higher degree. Still though, production's a small sacrifice for the overall track.
3) Blue Jay Way : Very weird, in a fantastically good way. George showcases his skill on the Hammond organ, accompanied by Paul's superb bass playing, Ringo's steady and cool drumming, and some dynamic vocals from both lead and backup vocals. Overall, very consistent, and it's weirdness really made it into a bit of a cult classic status among fans. It's not hard to see why.
2) Lovely Rita - I have a bit of a soft spot for this song. Lyrics are very carefree and innocent, and makes me want to cheer Paul on for his nonexistent relationship with Rita. Guitar work, drumming and vocals are incredibly good on this track. Production also deserves a shoutout, giving the track an incredibly atmospheric mood, and really alleviates the whole experience. Incredible song, on an incredible album.
1) Not A Second Time - This may come as a bit of a surprise, but this is one of my favorite early Beatles songs. It has grown on me immensely for a long time now, and I have since respected it as an early Beatles masterpiece. Both John's vocals and Martin's piano work provide for one of the most intersting harmonic sequences I have ever heard in a pop song, while Paul's bass and Ringo's drums provide a solid backbeat and rhythm that holds the song together. A truly spectacular, yet underappreciated song.
Side note: Yes, it is not a typo. I am indeed calling "Not A Second Time " a masterpiece, sue me.
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Jules, MagillFixing a hole where the rain gets in during my spare time.
Fixing a hole in the ocean if I'm daring enough.
Doesn't really stop my wandering mind.
I just really like repairing stuff
9.58am
7 May 2017
Offline Helter Skelter , it's one of my absolute favourites. CakeMaestor says it would be an unpopular opinion to have it last of those five, but I think on the other end of the spectrum, my opinion of it being one of the best Beatles songs ever may even be more unpopular. I love it. So wild and heavy, but always keeping the structure, yet always on the edge of losing itself in the chaos...
Blue Jay Way would be number two. I'm ever again astonished how it isn't ranked higher, I think just like Only A Northern Song it's among the very best of 1967 style full-out psychedelia, close to masterpieces like Strawberry Fields Forever . But then again, Harrison is underrated.
Lovely Rita and Rocky Raccoon are very good, I like them both. Rita a bit more I think. Rocky goes on a bit too long and to be honest, I never fully got the story, but it has a cool vibe when it goes into that Dadadada...
Not A Second Time , well yeah I'm not the biggest fan of early Beatles stuff. I can't believe myself how highly I regard All My Loving , and there are some other things that are either catchy, rocking cool or otherwise more interesting, and the Beatles progressed from album to album anyway, then had a leap in late 64/early 65 and an even bigger one in late 65/66. But for the most part, their earlier stuff is very simple pop love songs for me, ranging from enjoyable to forgettable (but the latter often still in an enjoyable way). Listening to Not A Second Time right now, I see (hear) barely anything in the melody, genre, instrumentation, vocals and definitely not in the lyrics that distinguishes the song from two to three dozen or so other early Beatles love songs.
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Jules, MagillQueen says no to pot-smoking FBI members.
10.00am
8 August 2019
Offline Well, just 'cause I got time to spare.
5) Not A Second Time - Pretty boring.
CakeMaestor said
Side note: Yes, it is not a typo. I am indeed calling "Not A Second Time " a masterpiece, sue me.
Consider thyself sued.
4) Helter Skelter - Excellent...ly written but the execution is a bit dragging for me.
3) Rocky Raccoon - Funny and cute and stuff.
2) Blue Jay Way - A psychedelic pseudo-masterpiece.
1) Lovely Rita - Short and sweet with attention to detail and enchanting melodies.
But why these five tho?
the watusi
the twist
10.14am
28 April 2020
Offline This is a diverse set of middle and lower tier Beatles songs, in my opinion.
5. Rocky Raccoon ... probably my least favourite song on the White Album
4. Blue Jay Way ... decent song, atmospheric, but too many repeats of 'please don't be long'
3. Not A Second Time ... I always liked this one, catchy!
2. Lovely Rita ... good song, great singing ... love the 'Ah! AH!' at the end!
1. Helter Skelter ... great noisy rocking song and a highlight from the White Album !
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kelicopter4.28pm
19 October 2016
Offline I feel like you're asking me if I prefer apples, oranges, bananas, pineapples, grapes or mangoes.
Or maybe apples, hamburgers, dandelions, turtles or neckties.
That said, of these I actually think:
5. Lovely Rita - I like the piano but I think it's one of the weaker tunes on Pepper.
4. Hmmm.
I quit, I can't rank them. Rocky Raccoon may be corny but it's catchy and somehow still grabs me. Helter Skelter is just towering, super ballsy rock. Not A Second Time is not as simple as it seems - this is the song that contained the "Aeolian cadence" of highbrow-reviewer fame. Blue Jay Way spirals into something almost trance-like - love the cellos, the backward vocals and the phasing.
Turtles. I like turtles the best.
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kelicopter4.54pm
6 November 2010
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Pablo Ramon said
Or maybe apples, hamburgers, dandelions, turtles or neckties.
....
Turtles. I like turtles the best.
We need 2 to 5 ranked, stat.
Here's my list:
5. Rocky Raccoon - Eh.
4. Not A Second Time - It's a shame that this is 4th because I do love it. This is a solid pop song and John's vocals are great.
3. Helter Skelter - I mean, that guitar, those screamy vocals, the fact that John was even envious of it... It's all good stuff.
2. Blue Jay Way - I struggled to separate 2 and 3 but am gonna give it to experimental George. I love how atmospheric this track is, you can almost hear the fog upon LA.
1. Lovely Rita - Sgt Peppers is my most nostalgic album (dare I say favourite?) and I challenge anyone to try and sing "filling in a ticket in her little white boook" and not smile.
(Edit: I kind of like the idea of a thread like this going forward? Someone picks 5 seemingly random songs from early to late and we rank?)
I think it's great you're going through a phase,
and I'm awfully glad it'll all be over in a couple
of days
2020
10.34am
Moderators
Members
Reviewers
20 August 2013
Offline ^ We could deleted the lists of songs in the thread title so that it would just read "Which of these songs are your favorite?"
Anyone want to second this idea?
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The Hole Got FixedCan buy Joe love! Amazon | iTunes
Check here for "how do I do this" guide to the forum. 
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1.37pm
19 October 2016
Offline Ahhh Girl said
^ We could deleted the lists of songs in the thread title so that it would just read "Which of these songs are your favorite?"Anyone want to second this idea?
Seconded.
3.42pm
Moderators
Members
Reviewers
20 August 2013
Offline OK. Topic title changed. Should we mainly have 1 list running at a time? I wouldn't rap any knuckles if someone went back and picked up an earlier list to comment on. Or do we let people quote and comment on any list at any time? I have no preference.
Can buy Joe love! Amazon | iTunes
Check here for "how do I do this" guide to the forum. (2017) (2018)
4.24pm
Moderators
27 November 2016
Offline I think if we try to aim to have mainly one list at one time that would be bettet however there's no reason people couldn't quote and reply to older lists
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Ahhh Girl#AppleHoley2024: Make America Great For The First Time
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5.05pm
26 January 2017
Offline @Jules I hate to break it to you but The Beatles don’t have the best version of Dear Prudence
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lovelyritametermaid, Jules"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
8.05pm
5 December 2019
Offline 
Where's the lie?
I fecking love Jerry's version of "Dear Pru"-- he messes up a bit but its still magical~~ it's the perfect song for someone of Jerry's energy and vibes 
Edit: Just remembered I have a bunch of stickers that I ordered from RedBubble for my laptop coming in this week-- one of them is Grateful Dead sticker!! *excitement*~~
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sir walter raleigh"....When I cannot sing my heart, I can only speak my mind...."
"....This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around...."
8.07pm
26 January 2017
Offline He plays phenomenal Dylan covers as well.
The following people thank sir walter raleigh for this post:
lovelyritametermaid"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
9.43pm
8 August 2019
Offline I'm aware of that version. It's good. But it isn't nearly as good as John's version.Some of the arrangements are all over the place and the vocal performance is overdone, it just doesn't feel as personal. George's vocals as the "round round" is much more smoother and the constant pace doesn't fuck up the emotion the way it does in Jerry's band. Besides, one of the reasons Dear Prudence is the best is because of the instrumental breakdown at the end, this doesn't even have something nearly as touching. Also 11 minutes? No thanks. My Prudence is concise and tight
the watusi
the twist
9.57pm
8 August 2019
Offline P.S. Don't ever threaten my baby again or I'll break your legs 🙂
the watusi
the twist
11.41pm
26 January 2017
Offline I’ll take the extended live jam from Jerry over virtually any studio song.
The following people thank sir walter raleigh for this post:
Jules"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
1.58pm
6 November 2010
Offline I'm going to shuffle on Spotify and list 5 songs now for the next ranking! (Although I don't know how we choose who picks the next 5 going forward?)
Huh, I thought I might have to tweak but I actually think that's a pretty good cross-section. Get ranking!
I think it's great you're going through a phase,
and I'm awfully glad it'll all be over in a couple
of days
2020
6.46pm
26 January 2017
Offline "The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
7.23pm
28 April 2020
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