On this episode of Compleatly Beatles, Ian and Dave take a look at the very underrated Beatles’ album Beatles for Sale and their revolutionary single, “I Feel Fine” b/w “She’s a Woman”. After the little masterpiece that is A Hard Day’s Night, The Beatles came back down to earth for Beatles for Sale, a rushed recording schedule coupled with an insane amount of touring meant it was back to covers for a band that barely had time to play their own songs live. What do Ian and Dave make of all this?
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One of the most fun things about listening to The Beatles albums in order is marveling at the evolutionary leaps in songwriting and/or production with each new album. And, holy shit, are there some big leaps yet to come in this sequence. But (for me), this album is where the boys really come into their own, vocally. The production is much cleaner, vocals are sharper and on pitch, and harmonies are more intricate and beginning to blend in their inimitable and beautiful sonorousness. “I Feel Fine” is a perfect introduction to the BfS sound. I find some quibbles with vocals in earlier songs: the pitches are a bit off, or timing not spot on…not in a bad way, just characteristic of the hurried nature of the recording process. When those three voices erupt in glory at the end of the first verse, well…it’s a cold heart indeed, sir, that wouldn’t allow a grin at the perfection of it all.
In a perfect world, I would’ve preferred more originals than the 6 non-Beatles songs. Still, I always thought “Mr. Moonlight” was hard done by, as Lennon pushes himself to go nuts as much as he did Paul for Kansas City, and it’s a fun little ride through a vanishing style, like the other covers.
I always thought Baby’s in Black was a song for Astrid Kirchnerr, girlfriend of John’s best friend Stuart Sutcliffe who died in Hamburg.
One reason “Mr. Moonlight” has traditionally been disliked by Beatles fans who care enough to know about it is because it was seen as a song the band chose over another cover, “Leave My Kitten Alone,” which was seen as one of the Fabs’ best. Mark Lewisohn has made this point. Nowadays, people are much cooler with it because:
1. Mr. Moonlight is a lot of fun, with a committed Lennon vocal.
2. Kitten Alone is now available through the Anthology series (I think Vol. 1)
3. Historically, Mr. Moonlight was an important cover as the band often used it to start shows (Lennon could only do that 0-to-60 vocal that kicks it off when his voice was rested.