1965 - October: The Beatles "Rubber Soul"

What the Riff?!?

Rubber Soul was the sixth studio ablum released by The Beatles in the US and the UK. The album was largely recorded in October of 1965 over a four week period, and relesed in December of 1965. The Fab Four had completed their North American tour by August, and had returned to London to compose this album. It would be the first album they completed without the pressure of commitments to tour, film, or otherwise make public appearances. Nevertheless, the band was working under tight timelines, intending to release the album before the Christmas sales cycle. It would go to the top of the album charts and would be one of the biggest albums of 1966, charting at number 3 in the UK and number 4 in the US for the year.

The name of the album is a bit of self deprecation. The term "plastic soul" was used at the time to describe some artists' attempts to duplicate the sound of black American soul music, and the Beatles recognized their efforts as less-than authentic. It also has a double meaning, referencing the Wellington boot worn in rural northern England.

The album combines elements of folk rock, soul, progressive rock, and the newly-emerging psychedelic sound. It would set a new standard with rock groups, encouraging the creation of high quality albums rather than just making a string of singles that were merged onto an LP record. It also shows the increasing maturity of the group in lyrics and music.

Lynch brings us this classic album from one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and friend of the show Mike Fernandez sits in while Bruce is out.

Baby You Can Drive My Car
The opening track was written by Lennon and McCartney. The lyrics are told from the perspective of a woman who expects to be a big star, and offers the man the opportunity to be her chauffeur. At the end you find out that she doesn't have a car, but at least now she has a chauffeur.

Norwegian Wood
It really isn't possible to have a deeper cut when you're talking about the Beatles, but this may be as close as we can get. John Lennon is the primary writer - with some contributions from Paul McCartney - and the lyrics discuss an extramarital affair he had in London. George Harrison plays sitar on this song, and it is the first use of that instrument recorded in a major release in the rock world.

In My Life
The lyrics from this song were written by John Lennon, and is perhaps the first time he wrote a song inspired from his childhood. George Martin plays the piano on the bridge, but recorded it at half speed. This creates the tinny harpsicord feel when the song is run at full speed.

Michelle
Paul McCartney is the primary writer of this song, inspired by the popularity of Parisian "Left Bank" culture, and contains french lyrics despite McCartney's lack of fluency in the language. The music was partially inspired by chet Atkin's finger picking style. McCartney began writing the song in 1958, and it went to number 1 in France where it was released ahead of the album.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The James Bond Theme (from the motion picture “Thunderball”)
This was the fourth film in the spy series starring Sean Connery as James Bond. It was originally planned to be the first film of the series, but was pushed back due to legal disputes.

STAFF PICKS:

Treat Her Right by Roy Head and the Traits
Wayne leads off the staff picks with a short, happy, party song. While this may have a surf song vibe, the band is from Texas. The lyrics tell about how a guy is supposed to treat a woman, and the benefits thereof. The song peaked at number 2, and is the best known song by the group.

Hang On Sloopy by the McCoys
Rob brings us a song originally recorded by the Vibrations in 1964 with the title "My Girl Sloopy." A jazz singer in Ohio named Dorothy Sloop inspired the name. The McCoys version went to number 1 on the pop charts, and would be picked up by a number of garage bands. Rick Derringer is the front man for the group.

California Girls by The Beach Boys
Mike's staff pick is a well-known song from the album "Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)" by the group. Brian Wilson conceived the song during an acid trip, thinking about film scores from Westerns and - of course - girls.

Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire
Lynch closes out the staff picks with a protest song often covered. P.F. Sloan wrote this song after the Kennedy assassination, the Gulf of Tompkin military action, and other social upheaval of the early to mid-60's. American media used this song as an example of what was wrong with youth culture, counterintuitively driving the popularity of the song.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Hole in the Wall by The Packers
This jazz instrumental closes out this week's podcast.

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