Music: A Hard Day's Night (The Beatles)

Beatles Album #3: A Hard Day's Night

In the Beatles' third album, A Hard Day's Night, the band put together their finest compilation yet, and perhaps the musical height of this particular era of rock. The album was released in July 1964; by that time, the Beatles had already done their first tour of America and had already pretty much conquered it; at one point, the top five singles were all by The Beatles. This album would continue to cement their dominance in America, and the film to go with it would also increase their status not just as great music-makers but also as media stars. But that's just for the history books; A Hard Day's Night showed that the Beatles were doing nothing if not improving musically as fast as their popularity increased.

1. "A Hard Day's Night" (Lennon/McCartney)
The album gets off to a great and famous start with this title track, launched by the guitar chord heard 'round the world. Lennon's lead vocal is outstanding, of course, and he and McCartney retain their trademark harmonies. McCartney also has a great middle eight, showcasing his phenomenal yet under-appreciated rocking vocal style. On the instrumental side of things, George has a great guitar solo; it's classic Harrison in being a perfect match for the song yet simple-sounding instead of some gibberish by other guitar "gods". Also, Ringo's percussion inconspicuously lends a huge amount of energy to the song. Great way to start the album.

2. "I Should Have Known Better" (Lennon/McCartney)
This track is a rock-solid follow-up to "A Hard Day's Night," and showcases several places where The Beatles were improving. First, the tempo is great; it certainly doesn't drag, like some similar songs from earlier albums, but it doesn't get carried away either. Also, while the chords don't change a whole lot in this one, Lennon's vocal energy is very good, without being simply loud. The extended "I"s from Lennon are actually better, I think, because they don't stay perfectly straight all the way through. Here again, the instrumentals are awesome, even if Lennon's vocal is dominant: the rhythm guitar is great, as is the lead in a subdued part, and both the bass and percussion give the song a great backbone. Very impressive.

3. "If I Fell" (Lennon/McCartney)
One of my favorite early Beatles songs. It's simply a gorgeous little track; even if it sounds a little dated to the modern listener, just give it some time. Lennon starts with a nice introduction before the main part begins, with the instrumentals again providing good support. But this one is all about the vocals. Phenomenal Lennon-McCartney harmony, just phenomenal. That harmony alone is the main focus of the whole song and the rest - melody, instruments, tempo, etc. - is just a good way to support it. The lyrics are actually rather mean-spirited compared to the song's sound, but just ignore them and float on the bliss of their harmonies.

4. "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" (Lennon/McCartney)
Despite Harrison singing the lead vocal in this one, like others George sang early on, it was written by John and Paul. And while perhaps this isn't one of John and Paul's best compositions, it is performed so well that it is actually a good little song of its era. First of all, George's voice fits well with it, taking advantage of his limited album space as he usually did. Also, sorry to sound like a broken record, but the instrumentals are great again. Ringo keeps the song going at a good clip, and George plays a very neat, original guitar part that goes great with it. At two minutes, it's pleasant for the whole time and then we're on to the next song.

5. "And I Love Her" (Lennon/McCartney)
Here's the first slow song on the album; before this album The Beatles tended to turn to a cover for this type of song, but here Paul gives it a shot. And boy does he do a good job with it. The beauty of the verses and chorus really show off, even early on, what skill Paul had at writing ballads, and he also had the fantastic vocal abilities to make use of his composition skills. It should be noted, too, that he is supported by some very good guitar playing, including a great hook at the beginning and end of the song, and a great solo, too, by George (I think). Covers, who needs covers when you've got John and Paul?!

6. "Tell Me Why" (Lennon/McCartney)
OK, this one's not that great, but it is also pretty damn catchy. While the Beatles had improved immensely, I think it's fair to say that this is filler (though not as blatant as some earlier material). The chorus is just really cheesy, and the whole song itself is just a little too happy for its own good. Lennon's vocal is just not very good here, and I don't think he particularly enjoyed singing it (of course, I could be wrong). The instrumentals again show great energy, and contribute to the song's catchiness, but don't listen to it too many times or it'll stick in your head (not that you'd want to, anyway).

7. "Can't Buy Me Love" (Lennon/McCartney)
Ah, back to some classic Beatles! Definitely one of my favorite early Beatles songs, this is just a great song, probably the best on the album. It's really a pretty simple song but not derivative, which was one of the Beatles' greatest strengths. While the verses start out in a classic rock form, they end with a great bluesy sort of syncopation. And now Paul gets to belt out in his rocker vocal style for the entire song as the lead, which he aces. Another strong instrumental backing, especially with Paul's own bass playing. What else is there to say, it's a rock and roll classic, plain and simple.

8. "Any Time At All" (Lennon/McCartney)
This song is a neat change up on the album. Lennon goes to the lower octave of his vocal range for much of this one, and the tone of the song is just heavier than most of even his harder rocking early songs. The verses are neat, and the chorus is even better, with John and Paul trading off with some charged vocals. The instrumental playing matches the heavier vocals, and there is also a cool piano part, especially in the instrumental break. Somehow, a higher-pitched guitar part doesn't really sound out of place here, and like the rest of the song, it just works.

9. "I'll Cry Instead" (Lennon/McCartney)
This track adds a little bit of country flavor to the album (without the irritating vocal twang and other bad elements of country). This is the shortest song on the album at considerably under two minutes, and it almost seems like an interlude. But not a throwaway, mind you, because it's well-performed and is pleasant enough. Lennon gives a serviceable vocal, even if it's nothing special by his standards. I think Ringo liked shaking the tambourine on this one. Take it or leave it, but this one is far from being a blotch on the Beatles' record.

10. "Things We Said Today" (Lennon/McCartney)
Here we see McCartney's composition skills take a little noticed but significant jump. The song is made up of two very distinct pieces which nevertheless fit together perfectly. Part one is a somewhat mysterious, dreamy, or at least thoughtful-sounding piece and then Paul changes up his vocal style for a more rock-oriented section before reverting to the original part again. Certainly Paul's vocal is very good, as are the supporting instrumentals, but it's the composition that stands out to me the most as an indicator of things to come. And it still channels the sound of the rest of the album (in other words, it doesn't stick out oddly).

11. "When I Get Home" (Lennon/McCartney)
Ick, I'm afraid here's some more album filler. This is the opposite of the track before it, as far as composition: there's just not a whole lot of creativity here. In fact, it almost annoys me how bland it is. Unfortunately, the performance also lacks enthusiasm, except maybe a little from Lennon's vocal. But the band doesn't really employ much instrumental ingenuity, and there's nothing driving it forward. Even the harmonies are pretty poor (bad?) by the Beatles' standards. Quick, on to the next track!!!

12. "You Can't Do That" (Lennon/McCartney)
Ah, this is good to wash the bad taste out of your mouth (or the bad sound out of your ears). Lennon does much better this time to follow a more traditional rock formula, while tweaking it to the whims of his own inner ear. The vocal itself is fine, but certainly the instrumentals (AGAIN!) is where the difference is found. Much more energy, much more imagination, much better feel. The song starts out, in fact, with a bright guitar sound, which continues on but just in support of Lennon's vocal. Ringo's cowbell is a good choice here, and the synchronous part when Lennon sings "I told you before" is just a nice touch. Good comeback here, Beatles.

13. "I'll Be Back" (Lennon/McCartney)
So, you think you've got The Beatles figured out. They'll end the album now with a hard rocking finale. Nope. With "I'll Be Back," the Beatles pull one of their earliest surprises to listeners, with one of the slowest songs on the album. However, I think it's a great way to conclude the album - a great change of pace, literally speaking, while retaining the sound of the album. In addition, the whole thing just sounds like (and the title not-so-subtly hints at) the Beatles' farewell until next time. And it sends a message: don't go thinking you know what the Beatles will do next (OK - give us a year or so - but then don't do it!).

Essentials: "Can't Buy Me Love", "A Hard Day's Night", "If I Fell", "And I Love Her"
Weak(er) Songs: "When I Get Home", "Tell Me Why"

My Rank of The Beatles' Albums So Far:
1. A Hard Day's Night
2. Please Please Me
3. With The Beatles

Wait! There's more! I'm dividing the Beatles' career into four arbitrary periods, and after each one I'll rank my top ten songs from that era (including singles not released on an album). Here's my list for the "early" period:

1. She Loves You
2. I Saw Her Standing There
3. Can't Buy Me Love
4. All My Loving
5. If I Fell
6. Twist And Shout
7. And I Love Her
8. I Want To Hold Your Hand
9. A Hard Day's Night
10. Please Please Me

Honorable Mentions: Things We Said Today, Anna (Go To Him), All I've Got To Do, Roll Over Beethoven, I Should Have Known Better