A$# 044 Beatles | Beatles For Sale

Just a month after the Fabs had released their excellent A Hard Day's Night and the wonderful film of the same name in 1964, they were back in the studio again to work on the follow-up that would be Beatles For Sale.

Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn noted that:

[B4S was] The Beatles' fourth LP in 21 months, and, of course, a top seller worldwide. While no one would classify the album as weak - no Beatles album could be appended with that particular label - it is generally regarded as their weakest piece of work, although perhaps this was not entirely their fault. "They were rather war weary during Beatles For Sale," says George Martin. "One must remember that they'd been battered like mad throughout 1964, and much of 1963. Success is a wonderful thing, but it is very, very tiring. They were always on the go."

It's true that B4S wasn't all original compositions, like AHDN had been, and its covers might not quite scale the heights of Twist And Shout or Money. But I have always really liked Beatles For Sale, and I think it shows great brilliance, despite the strain and presssure they were under.

Some of John's songs in particular demonstrate a growing thoughtfulness and complexity of subject matter. The three openings tracks - No Reply, I'm A Loser and Baby's In Black - deal with relationships, but they're much more nuanced and mature than boy-meets-girl. Eight Days A Week has become a fan favourite, and it was innovative for its use of a fade-in.

Vigorous covers of Rock And Roll Music (John on lead), Carl Perkins' Honey Don't (Ringo) and Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby (George), plus Paul's rip-roaring medley of Kansas City / Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey reveal they Beatles weren't too tired from their hectic schedule. They could still rock out.

Every Little Thing, What You're Doing and I Don't Want To Spoil The Party are a trio of solid L/M originals. I'll Follow The Sun is one of the Paul's early compositions, but it lends a sunny atmosphere to the set, as does John's cover of Buddy Holly's Words Of Love.

That leaves the much maligned Mr. Moonlight - a song I'm prepared to say is the closest to a clunker in all the songs the Beatles covered on record. Many have wondered why they didn't include the much livelier Leave My Kitten Alone, also recorded during the B4S sessions. I agree that it would have been a better choice.

We mustn't forget that the Beatles also recorded two excellent non-album tracks in this period too: John's I Feel Fine, a fine rocker made even more memorable by the deliberate use of distortion, and Paul's zesty She's A Woman.

While B4S, which was released December 4, 1964, would have been stronger had LMKA, IFF and SAW been included, there's no way anyone can argue that the album is weak. If you're inclined to think so, give it another listen.

Track listing:
1. No Reply
2. I'm A Loser
3. Baby's In Black
4. Rock And Roll Music
5. I'll Follow The Sun
6. Mr. Moonlight
7. Medley: Kansas City / Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
8. Eight Days A Week
9. Words Of Love
10. Honey Don't
11. Every Little Thing
12. I Don't Want To Spoil The Party
13. What You're Doing
14. Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby