Rubber Soul was released on 3 December 1965 in the United Kingdom, on EMI’s Parlophone label, accompanied by the non-album double A-side single “Day Tripper” / “We Can Work It Out“. The original North American release, issued by Capitol Records, contains ten of the fourteen songs and two tracks withheld from the band’s Help! album. Rubber Soul was met with a highly favourable critical response and topped sales charts in Britain and the United States for several weeks.

The recording sessions took place in London over a four-week period beginning in October 1965. For the first time in their career, the Beatles were able to record an album free of concert, radio or film commitments. Often referred to as a folk rock album, particularly in its Capitol configuration, Rubber Soul incorporates a mix of pop, soul and folk musical styles. The title derives from the colloquialism “plastic soul” and was the Beatles’ way of acknowledging their lack of authenticity compared to the African-American soul artists they admired. After A Hard Day’s Night in 1964, it was the second Beatles LP to contain only original material.

The songs demonstrate the Beatles’ increasing maturity as lyricists, and in their incorporation of brighter guitar tones and new instrumentation such as sitar, harmonium and fuzz bass, the group striving for more expressive sounds and arrangements for their music. The project marked a progression in the band’s treatment of the album format as an artistic platform, an approach they continued to develop with Revolver and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The four songs omitted by Capitol, including the February 1966 single “Nowhere Man“, later appeared on the North American release Yesterday and Today.

Rubber Soul was highly influential on the Beatles’ peers, leading to a widespread focus away from singles and onto creating albums of consistently high-quality songs. It has been recognised by music critics as an album that opened up the possibilities of pop music in terms of lyrical and musical scope, and as a key work in the creation of styles such as psychedelia and progressive rock. Among its many appearances on critics’ best-album lists, Rolling Stone ranked it fifth on the magazine’s 2012 list “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 2000, it was voted at number 34 in the third edition of Colin Larkin’s book All Time Top 1000 Albums. The album was certified 6× platinum by the RIAA in 1997, indicating shipments of at least six million copies in the US. In 2013, Rubber Soul was certified platinum by the BPI for UK sales since 1994.

• Release date: December 3, 1965
• Label: Capitol Records
• Genres: Rock, Pop music, Rock and roll, Pop rock, Folk rock, Blues rock, Art rock
• Length: 34:59
• Studio: EMI, London

Rubber Soul tracklist

SIDE A

1. Drive My Car
   (Lennon/McCartney)
2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
   (Lennon/McCartney)
3. You Won’t See Me
   (Lennon/McCartney)
4. Nowhere Man
   (Lennon/McCartney)
5. Think For Yourself
   (Harrison)
6. The Word
   (Lennon/McCartney)
7. Michelle
   (Lennon/McCartney)

SIDE B

1. What Goes On
   (Lennon/McCartney/Starkey)
2. Girl
   (Lennon/McCartney)
3. I’m Looking Through You
   (Lennon/McCartney)
4. In My Life
   (Lennon/McCartney)
5. Wait
   (Lennon/McCartney)
6. If I Needed Someone
   (Harrison)
7. Run For Your Life
   (Lennon/McCartney)

Help! is the fifth studio album by the Beatles and the soundtrack to their film of the same name. It was released on 6 August 1965. Seven of the fourteen songs, including the singles “Help!” and “Ticket to Ride“, appeared in the film and take up the first side of the vinyl album. The second side includes “Yesterday“, the most-covered song ever written. The album was met with good critical reviews and topped the Australian, German, UK and US charts.

During the recording sessions for the album, the Beatles continued to explore the studio’s multitracking capabilities to layer their sound. “Yesterday” features a string quartet, the band’s first use of Baroque sensibilities, and “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” includes a flute section. The North American release is a true soundtrack album, combining the first seven songs with instrumental music from the film. The omitted tracks are instead spread across the Capitol Records LPs Beatles VI, Rubber Soul and Yesterday and Today.

In the US, Help! marked the start of artistic recognition for the Beatles from mainstream critics, including comparisons to the European art music tradition. It was nominated in the category of Album of the Year at the 1966 Grammys Awards, marking the first time that a rock band had been recognised in this category. In 2000, it was voted 119th in the third edition of Colin Larkin’s book All Time Top 1000 Albums. In 2020, it was ranked 266th on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In September 2013, after the British Phonographic Industry changed its sales award rules, Help! was certified platinum for recorded sales since 1994.

• Release date: August 6, 1965
• Genres: Rock, Pop music, Pop rock, Country rock, Folk rock
• Label: Parlophone
• Nominations: Grammy Award for Album of the Year

Help! tracklist

SIDE A

1. Help!
   (Lennon/McCartney)
2. The Night Before
   (Lennon/McCartney)
3. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
   (Lennon/McCartney)
4. I Need You
   (Harrison)
5. Another Girl
   (Lennon/McCartney)
6. You’re Going To Lose That Girl
   (Lennon/McCartney)
7. Ticket To Ride
   (Lennon/McCartney)

SIDE B

1. Act Naturally
   (Russell/Morrison)
2. It’s Only Love
   (Lennon/McCartney)
3. You Like Me Too Much
   (Lennon/McCartney)
4. Tell Me What You See
   (Lennon/McCartney)
5. I’ve Just Seen A Face
   (Lennon/McCartney)
6. Yesterday
   (Lennon/McCartney)
7. Dizzy Miss Lizzy
   (Williams)

• Published on 1965
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 12 on “Rubber Soul“

About “Wait”

The songwriting credit is Lennon/McCartney, and is one of the real joint efforts between the two (Lennon wrote the verses and refrain in F# minor, and McCartney wrote the bridge in A major).

The lyrics, describing the singer’s anxieties about his relationship with his girl while he is away, are thematically similar to several other Lennon-McCartney songs, such as “When I Get Home” and “Things We Said Today,” written during the period of 1964 and 1965.

The song was originally recorded for Help! in June 1965 but did not make the final pressing. When Rubber Soul fell one song short for a Christmas release, “Wait” was brought back.

Meaning of “Wait”

“Wait” conveys a theme of romantic longing and impatience. In the lyrics, the narrator expresses a yearning for someone to wait for him, as they plan to return after being away for a while. The song suggests a sense of urgency and a plea for understanding from the person they’re singing to. The narrator wants assurance that the person will still be there for them upon his return.

Here are the opening lines of the song:

“It’s been a long time Now I’m coming back home I’ve been away now Oh how, I’ve been alone“

Overall, “Wait” reflects the universal emotions of separation, anticipation, and the desire for a loved one’s patience and faithfulness.

Personnel

• John Lennon – double tracked vocal, rhythm guitar
• Paul McCartney – double tracked vocal, bass guitar
• George Harrison – lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums, maracas, tambourine

• Published on 1965
• Author: Harrison
• Track 4 on “Help!“

About “I Need You”

“I Need You” was written by George Harrison and was the second composition of his to be released by the Beatles. The track appears in their film “Help!”, in a scene filmed on Salisbury Plain where the group were under military protection from a murderous cult.

Harrison wrote “I Need You” about Pattie Boyd, the English model whom he married in January 1966. Recorded in February 1965 at the start of the sessions for “Help!“, it features the Beatles’ first use of a guitar volume pedal. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played the song in tribute to Harrison at the Concert for George in November 2002.

George Harrison presented “I Need You”, along with “You Like Me Too Much”, for consideration for the Beatles’ second feature film, Help!, in early 1965. Before this, he had struggled to complete a song since the band recorded his first composition, “Don’t Bother Me“, for their 1963 album With the Beatles. In a September 1964 press conference, Harrison said he had written three “bits” of songs, but nothing “whole”. George Martin, the band’s producer, attributed his lack of productivity to the fact that “none of us had liked something he had written”, and Harrison had felt disheartened.

He subsequently resolved to ensure that his occasional vocal spots on the group’s albums were his own compositions rather than Lennon–McCartney songs or cover versions. According to biographer Gary Tillery, Harrison’s creativity was most likely inspired by his habitual marijuana use, a legacy of the Beatles’ first meeting with Bob Dylan in August 1964.

Meaning of “I Need You”

The lyrics of “I Need You” convey a message of longing and dependency within a romantic relationship. The narrator expresses a deep emotional need for the person he loves.

Lines like “You don’t realize how much I need you / Love you all the time and never leave you” clearly articulate a profound emotional attachment. The repeated refrain of “Please, please, love me too” underscores the urgency and intensity of the narrator’s feelings.

The song captures the universal sentiment of needing someone in one’s life for emotional fulfillment and support. It’s a theme that resonates with many people who have experienced the depth of emotions that come with romantic love.

“I Need You” is a heartfelt expression of the vulnerability and dependency that can be inherent in romantic relationships. It showcases George Harrison’s ability to convey deep emotions through his songwriting, and it remains a beloved track in the Beatles’ repertoire.

Personnel

• George Harrison – double-tracked lead vocal, classical guitar, twelve-string lead guitar
• John Lennon – harmony vocal, snare drum
• Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass guitar
• Ringo Starr – acoustic guitar percussion, cowbell

• Published on 1965
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 5 on “Help!“

JOHN 1980: “‘Another Girl’ is Paul.”

PAUL circa-1994: “It’s a bit much to call them fillers because I think they were a bit more than that, and each one of them made it past the Beatles test. We all had to like it.”

About “Another Girl”

The song was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The song is addressed to the singer’s girlfriend, who is informed that the singer has found “another girl”.

McCartney wrote the song while holidaying in Hammamet, a resort in Tunisia. With an up-tempo swing-beat that McCartney favoured (“Can’t Buy Me Love“, “She’s a Woman“) it opens with a short refrain, powered by block vocal harmonies, that segues straight into the verse, which is constructed on the blues-mode chord changes the group currently favoured.

The Beatles recorded the song on 15 February 1965, having also worked that day on “Ticket to Ride” and “I Need You“. The backing track was quickly recorded in a single take. George Harrison added a guitar “flourish” at the end which was omitted from the final mix: McCartney added lead guitar the next day. This is one of several Beatles songs recorded at the time on which McCartney played lead guitar in addition to his usual bass.

Four-track recording allowed the group to refine songs’ arrangements in the studio and McCartney often had clear ideas about the guitar lines he wanted. He also contributed lead guitar to “Ticket to Ride” and played an electric guitar duet with Harrison on “The Night Before“. The song was mixed down on 18 February and again on 23 February.

This song features the often-utilized three-part harmonies between Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, but it is one of the only instances in which Lennon sings the highest harmony.

Meaning of “Another Girl”

“Another Girl” convey a sense of confidence and independence. In the song, the narrator asserts that he’s found another girl who has captured his interest and attention. He suggests that he’s moving on from a previous romantic interest and is ready to embrace a new relationship. Lines like “For I have got another girl” and “You’re making me say that I’ve got nobody but you” emphasize the narrator’s determination to assert his autonomy and explore new romantic possibilities.

The song can be seen as a reflection of the complexities and fluctuations of romantic relationships, as well as the natural evolution of feelings over time. “Another Girl” is a lively and catchy tune that showcases McCartney’s knack for writing catchy, pop-infused songs with relatable themes of love and relationships.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – double-tracked lead vocal, bass guitar, lead guitar
• John Lennon – harmony vocal, electric rhythm guitar
• George Harrison – harmony vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums

How to play “Another Girl” on guitar

The guitars in this song, played by John Lennon, Paul McCartney (lead guitar) and George Harrison, contribute to the upbeat and rock-oriented sound of the track.

The overall guitar arrangement in “Another Girl” is a blend of rhythm and lead work, reflecting The Beatles’ evolving sound as they moved from their early rock ‘n’ roll style to a more sophisticated and experimental approach.

The following two videos feature guitar tutorials for the song:

How to play “Another Girl” on bass

Paul McCartney played the bass on this track, and his bassline is a notable part of the song’s energetic sound. The bassline in “Another Girl” is characteristic of McCartney’s dynamic and melodic style. He often used a Hofner 500/1 bass guitar during this period, which contributed to the unique tone of his playing.

In “Another Girl,” McCartney’s bassline is lively and complements the upbeat nature of the song. It follows the chord progressions while also incorporating melodic elements that add depth to the composition. McCartney was known for his ability to create basslines that were both rhythmically solid and melodically interesting, and “Another Girl” is no exception.

“Another Girl” karaoke

For those who want to test themselves by singing “Another Girl”, the following video presents the karaoke version of the song:

• Published on 1965
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 11 on “Help!“

About “Tell Me What You See”

“Tell Me What You See” appeared in 1965 on their album Help! in the United Kingdom and on Beatles VI in the United States. The song is credited to Lennon–McCartney but mainly written by Paul McCartney. Regarding the song’s authorship, McCartney said, “I seem to remember it as mine. I would claim it as a 60–40 but it might have been totally me.” John Lennon said, in his interviews with Playboy (1980) and Hit Parader (1972), that “Tell Me What You See” was written completely by McCartney.

“Tell Me What You See” was deemed by McCartney, “Not awfully memorable”, in an interview with author Barry Miles. Following each repetition of the title phrase, there is a brief instrumental break featuring a Hohner Pianet. The instrument is featured on two other tracks on Help!: “You Like Me Too Much” and “The Night Before“, both recorded the day before “Tell Me What You See.” Ringo Starr’s drumming on the track is augmented with a trio of percussion instruments; a güiro, a tambourine, and a pair of claves. This is not the first time the Beatles had used additional percussion instruments to flesh out their sound, having done so as early as “Don’t Bother Me” in 1963.

Evident in the song’s structure and instrumentation are the Beatles’ then growing folk influence, with lyrics more mature and reflective than was standard in their earlier output. The line “trying to get to you” (the title of an early Elvis Presley song recorded for Sun Records, which served as inspiration for McCartney and George Harrison’s composition “In Spite of All the Danger”) reflects the band’s continued love of early rock and roll. Other songs on Help!, such as Lennon’s “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” and the title track, also exhibit compositional growth.

A verse in the song, beginning with the line “Big and black the clouds may be”, was taken from a religious inscription that had hung in Lennon’s childhood home in Liverpool: “However black the clouds may be, in time they’ll pass away. Have faith and trust and you will see, God’s light make bright your day.” The same inscription was parodied by Lennon in his 1965 book A Spaniard in the Works.

Meaning of “Tell Me What You See”

Tell Me What You See” revolves around a plea for communication and understanding in a romantic relationship. The lyrics express a desire for the partner to open up and share their thoughts and feelings. Lines like “If you let me take your heart, I will prove to you” and “I will do my best to make your dreams come true” convey a sense of devotion and a promise to be there for the other person.

The title refrain, “Tell me what you see,” emphasizes the narrator’s interest in understanding the world from the perspective of their partner. It’s an invitation for open and honest communication. “Tell Me What You See” is a tender and heartfelt song that emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding and emotional connection in a relationship. It reflects the Beatles’ ability to touch on universal themes of love and communication through their music.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – lead vocal, bass, electric piano
• John Lennon – lead vocal, rhythm guitar, tambourine
• George Harrison – güiro
• Ringo Starr – drums, claves

• Published on 1965
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 4 on “Rubber Soul“
• Track 20 on “1962 ‐ 1966 (Red Album)“

JOHN 1980: “I’d spent five hours that morning trying to wite a song that was meaningful and good, and I finally gave up and lay down. Then ‘Nowhere Man’ came, words and music… the whole damn thing, as I lay down. So letting it go is what the whole game is. You put your finger on it, it slips away, right? You know, you turn the lights on and the cockroaches run away. You can never grasp them.”

PAUL 1984: “That was John after a night out, with dawn coming up. I think at that point in his life, he was a bit wondering where he was going.”

PAUL 1988: “I remember we wanted very treble-y guitars– which they are– they’re among the most treble-y guitars I’ve ever heard on record. The engineer said, ‘Alright, I’ll put full treble on it,’ and we said, ‘That’s not enough.’ He said, ‘But that’s all I’ve got.’ And we replied, ‘Well, put that through another lot of faders and put full treble up on that. And if that’s not enough we’ll go through another lot of faders.’ They said, ‘We don’t do that,’ and we would say, ‘Just try it… if it sounds crappy we’ll lose it, but it might just sound good.’ You’d then find, ‘Oh it worked,’ and they were secretly glad because they had been the engineer who put three times the allowed value of treble on a song. I think they were quietly proud of those things.”

About “Nowhere Man”

“Nowhere Man” was released in December 1965 on their album Rubber Soul, except in the United States and Canada, where it was first issued as a single A-side in February 1966 before appearing on the album Yesterday and Today. The song was written by John Lennon and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. In the US, the single peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the chart compiled by Record World magazine, as it did the RPM 100 chart in Canada and in Australia. The song was also released as a single in some countries where it had been included on Rubber Soul, including Australia, where it topped the singles chart.

Recorded on 21 and 22 October 1965, “Nowhere Man” describes a man with no direction in his life and with no genuine worldview. It is one of the first Beatles songs to be entirely unrelated to romance or love, and marks a notable example of Lennon’s philosophically oriented songwriting. Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison sing the song in three-part harmony. The lead guitar solo was performed in unison by Harrison and Lennon. The pair played identical “sonic blue”-coloured Fender Stratocasters on the track. The song appears in the film Yellow Submarine, where the Beatles sing it about the character Jeremy Hillary Boob after meeting him in the “nowhere land”.

Meaning of “Nowhere Man”

The lyrics of “Nowhere Man” reflect feelings of existential contemplation and a sense of being lost or directionless. The song portrays the “Nowhere Man” as a person who is seemingly stuck in a state of aimlessness or lacking a clear purpose in life. He’s described as someone who doesn’t have a point of view, isn’t going anywhere, and isn’t tied to anything.

In essence, the song is an introspective look at a person who may be struggling with questions of identity, purpose, and meaning in their life. The term “Nowhere Man” serves as a metaphor for a person who may feel disconnected or adrift in the world.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of the “Nowhere Man” as someone who is overlooked or underestimated, but the song ultimately suggests that there is potential for growth and change.

“Nowhere Man” is considered one of The Beatles’ notable tracks, both for its introspective lyrics and its melodic and harmonically rich composition. It’s often praised for its ability to capture a universal sense of searching and introspection.

Personnel

• John Lennon – double-tracked lead vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar, lead guitar
• Paul McCartney – bass guitar, harmony vocal
• George Harrison – lead guitar, harmony vocal
• Ringo Starr – drums

• Published on 1965
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 14 on “Rubber Soul“

JOHN 1980: “It has a line from an old Presley song. ‘I’d rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man’ is a line from an old blues song that Presley did once. Just sort of a throw-away song of mine that I never thought much of… but it was always a favorite of George’s.”

About “Run For Your Life”

“Run For Your Life” was written primarily by John Lennon, though credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song’s lyrics establish a threatening tone towards the singer’s unnamed girlfriend (referred to throughout the song as “little girl”), claiming “I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man.” The line was taken from an early Elvis Presley song, “Baby Let’s Play House” (written by Arthur Gunter).

“Run for Your Life” was the first song recorded for Rubber Soul, on 12 October 1965; “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” was also recorded later that day. The song has only one section, a verse-refrain combination, with the guitar duet introducing a six-bar blues.As with most other songs on Rubber Soul, McCartney sings the higher register of the three-part harmony.

Rubber Soul was released on 3 December 1965, with “Run for Your Life” sequenced as the album’s closing song. Since release, the song has garnered a mixed response from music critics. Lennon designated it as his “least favourite Beatles song” in a 1973 interview. He also stated that it was one of George Harrison’s favourites on Rubber Soul at that time, despite Lennon’s dislike of it.

Ian MacDonald criticised the vocal performance and added these comments about the guitar: “The guitar-work, some of which is badly out of tune, is similarly rough, the piercingly simplistic blues solo suggesting that the player was not Harrison but Lennon himself.”

Thomas Ward of AllMusic similarly criticised the song, calling it “arguably the weakest” on Rubber Soul, and one of the “lesser items in the entire Lennon–McCartney songbook”. Ward further criticised the song’s lyrics, calling them “trite”, and the melody, calling it “bland and uninteresting”. While he did compliment Lennon’s vocal performance and Harrison’s “lovely” guitar part, they can’t rescue the song from being “one of the Beatles most dispensable items”. The Beatles never performed the song live.

Meaning of “Run For Your Life”

The lyrics of “Run For Your Life” have often been viewed as controversial due to their possessive and somewhat threatening nature.

While musically catchy and well-composed, the lyrics are considered by many to reflect a possessive and controlling attitude, which stands in contrast to the more positive and uplifting themes found in many other Beatles songs. It’s important to note that the song’s lyrics have been criticized for their content, and they do not necessarily reflect the attitudes or beliefs of the individual Beatles as private individuals.

Due to the nature of the lyrics, “Run For Your Life” is often viewed as a somewhat controversial entry in the Beatles’ catalog.

Personnel

• John Lennon – vocal, acoustic 12-string guitar, slide guitar
• Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass
• George Harrison – harmony vocal, electric rhythm guitar, lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums, tambourine

• Published on 1965
• Author: Williams
• Track 14 on “Help!“

About “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”

“Dizzy, Miss Lizzy” is a rock and roll song written and recorded by Larry Williams in 1958. Although identified as a “genuine rock & roll classic”, it had limited success on the record charts.

In 1965, the Beatles recorded “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” in response to requests from Capitol Records (their US record label) for new material. The song is included on the UK album Help! and the US album Beatles VI. They recorded it along with another Williams tune, “Bad Boy”, on the same day.

Group biographer Ian MacDonald describes the song as “an unprepossessing shambles of ersatz hysteria and jumbled double-tracking”. However, AllMusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine comments “‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’ gives John an opportunity to flex his rock & roll muscle.”

Lennon later recorded “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” at a performance at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival on September 13, 1969. The song is included on the Plastic Ono Band album Live Peace in Toronto 1969. Paul McCartney has stated that he believes this song to be one of the Beatles best recordings. It features loud, rhythmic instrumentation, and John Lennon giving the vocal his all.

The title is playfully misleading. The actual lyric is, “You make me dizzy, Miss Lizzy”.
The song was originally thought about by band manager Brian Epstein, and was later introduced to Ringo Starr, the band’s drummer. He made sure that the band recorded it after loving its upbeat rhythm and interesting lyrics.

Meaning of “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”

The lyrics of “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” revolve around a woman named Lizzy who is described as being wild, carefree, and somewhat unpredictable. The narrator is drawn to her energetic and vivacious personality, but also acknowledges the challenges that come with being involved with someone so dynamic. The chorus, which repeats the line “You make me dizzy, Miss Lizzy,” conveys the exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming effect Lizzy has on the narrator.

“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” is a lively and energetic rock song that celebrates the spirited and free-spirited nature of the titular character. It’s known for its infectious rhythm and dynamic performance, both in Larry Williams’ original version and the Beatles’ cover.

Personnel

• John Lennon – vocal, rhythm guitar, Vox Continental organ
• Paul McCartney – bass
• George Harrison – double-tracked lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums, cowbell

How to play “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” on guitar

“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” features a prominent electric guitar riff throughout the song. George Harrison’s double-tracked guitar shines through the mix and John Lennon’s rhythm guitar blends with the Hammond organ to create the intensity needed for this song. The following video features a guitar cover of the song:

How to play “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” on bass

In “Dizzy Miss Lizzy,” Paul McCartney handles the bass guitar. The bassline in this song is lively and propulsive, driving the rhythm alongside the drums. McCartney’s bass work is characterized by its energetic and melodic quality, adding depth and a strong foundation to the song. His playing in “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” complements the upbeat nature of the track, contributing to its overall groove and dynamics. The following video features a bass cover of “Dizzy Miss Lizzie”:

“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” karaoke

For those who want to try singing “Dizzy Mis Lizzy”, the following video features a karaoke version of the song:

• Lyrics of “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”

• Published on 1965
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 7 on “Rubber Soul“
• Track 21 on “1962 ‐ 1966 (Red Album)“

JOHN 1972: “Both of us. I wrote the middle with him.”

PAUL 1977: “‘Michelle’ was like a joke French tune for when you go to a party or something. That’s all it was. And then after a while you say, ‘Well, that’s quite a good tune. Let’s put some real words to it.’”

JOHN 1980: “He and I were staying somewhere and he walked in and hummed the first few bars, with the words, and he says, ‘Where do I go from here?’ I had been listening to (blues singer) Nina Simone. I think it was ‘I Put A Spell On You.’ There was a line in it that went, ‘I love you, I love you.’ That’s what made me think of the middle-eight for ‘Michelle.’ So, my contributions to Paul’s songs was always to add a little bluesy edge to them. Otherwise, ‘Michelle’ is a straight ballad, right? He provided a lightness, an optimism, while I would always go for the sadness, the discords, the bluesy notes.”

PAUL 1988: “I’ll never forget putting the bass line in ‘Michelle’ because it was a kind of Bizet thing. It really turned the song around. You could do that with bass. It was very exciting.”

About “Michelle”

“Michelle” was composed principally by Paul McCartney, with the middle eight co-written with John Lennon. The song is a love ballad with part of its lyrics sung in French.

Following its inclusion on Rubber Soul, the song was released as a single in some European countries and in New Zealand, and on an EP in France, in early 1966. It was a number 1 hit for the Beatles in Belgium, France, Norway, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Concurrent recordings of the song by David and Jonathan and the Overlanders were similarly successful in North America and Britain, respectively.

“Michelle” won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1967 and has since become one of the most widely recorded of all Beatles songs.

Meaning of “Michelle”

The lyrics of “Michelle” are a romantic ode to a woman named Michelle. The song is sung in a mixture of English and French, with the chorus featuring the French phrase “Michelle, ma belle, sont les mots qui vont très bien ensemble, très bien ensemble” which translates to “Michelle, my beautiful, these are words that go very well together, very well together.“

The song conveys a sense of longing and affection, as the narrator expresses his feelings for Michelle and imagines a future where they are together. The lyrics are tender and poetic, reflecting the depth of the narrator’s emotions.

“Michelle” is often celebrated for its graceful melody, clever use of both English and French, and its romantic sentiment. It’s considered one of The Beatles’ more sophisticated compositions, showcasing their versatility and willingness to experiment with different musical styles and languages.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – lead vocal, backing vocal, acoustic guitar, bass guitar
• John Lennon – backing vocal, classical guitar
• George Harrison – backing vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums