What's the best?

The history and music of the Fab Four
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epitreture
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What's the best?

Post by epitreture »

Let's turn things around here. What's the best Beatle song? My vote is for "Day Tripper" because of the greatest guitar riff of all time.Anyone?
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bassduke49
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Post by bassduke49 »

When it comes to rockin groove, Birthday gets my vote. I also like Day Tripper, and Drive My Car, Hey Bulldog, I'll Cry Instead, I'm a Looser, and most of Abbey Road. Gosh, there are so many . . . .
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Post by kenposurf »

Tough one...I Saw Her Standing There, You Can't Do That, I Am The Walrus
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Post by just_bassics »

I agree that Day Tripper is the greatest guitar riff... just look at how many times it has been copied, quoted or imitated. But my favorite Beatles tune has always been "A Day in a Life", there's just something about it that almost haunts me. Side two of Abbey Road would be a close second, then so many more.....
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Post by kenposurf »

yep side 2 of AR
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Post by jayt »

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jingle_jangle
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Post by jingle_jangle »

Nowhere Man. Hands down. Too bad it's not a Rick playing the solo; then life would be perfect and the circle unbroken.
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Post by admin »

There are some who maintain that the Day Tripper riff was borrowed from "What'd I Say" by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
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bassduke49
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Post by bassduke49 »

Paul W., my band now plays Nowhere Man. The bassline is really interesting, especially the part behind "The world is at your command." I pride myself in playing the entire tune without moving the thumb on my left (fretting) hand. My boys really got the harmony down, too.
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charlyg
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Post by charlyg »

A Day in the Life or Hey Bulldog.
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winston
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Post by winston »

As I recall, recognizable structural elements of the so called Day Tripper riff were being played live by various blues/jazz/r&b musicians in Southern England for quite a few years prior to The Beatles presenting it to the mainstream in 1965. As far as I know, no body of recorded work contains that precise riff prior to 1965.

Whether or not The Bluesbreakers were responsible for the particular manner in which those notes appeared on the Beatles record remains to be seen IMO.

It was and still is quite common to "borrow" riffs or elements of riffs to enhance or perhaps to make a song somewhat recognizable. Perhaps John unconsciously did that as well? After all the song is essentially in a 12 bar blues format.
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Post by beefandbones »

Strawberry Fields Forever.
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winston
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Post by winston »

My vote for best song not written by, but performed by the Beatles is Anna.

My vote for best song written and performed by the Beatles is Nowhere Man. These songs are my all time favorites.
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Post by winston »

David,

I can't make New West on Friday but sometime in May I should be able to meet up with you and we can play both Anna and Nowhere Man to our hearts content Image I'll probably bring my 360v64 along with me.
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Post by jingle_jangle »

Paul, I agree about that bassline. It shows an amazing vision on Macca's part. Talk about creativity!
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
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