The Fool on the Hill

[JakeK]

For some reason, I've always loved and related to this song. I think that it's got great lyrics and an awesome vocal from Paul. The chord harmonica from John in the verses sounds backwards. Is it? The bass harmonica from George is interested to hear because it sounds like a croaking bull-frog. The acoustic guitar sounds like a 12-string, but I'm not sure.

I also love the recorder in the solo. I'm sure if those third/fourth grade kids who go to music class who are serious about the recorder can, they could figure out the solo to this song.



Who likes this song, and who doesn't?

[ozover50]

I like it!!

Sergio Mendes and the Brasil '66 did a great version too!!

[gemspa73]

I like it, too. And the promo film is fab.

[Zurdo]

harmonicas in "Fool on the hill"??

never heard them, are you talking about "We can work it out"??

[iiipopes]

harmonicas in "Fool on the hill"??

never heard them, are you talking about "We can work it out"??

Bass harmonica, listen for them in the "Round, round, round..." part.

[servant]

Actually, I prefer Flying...

Along with Mr. Moonlight, Can't Buy Me Love, and Revolution 9, Fool on the Hill is one of my least favourite Beatles tunes. The only time I play it on piano is to play the recorder solo.

[harborcoat26]

Like! I always liked the "horse" sound at the end!

I like it!!

Sergio Mendes and the Brasil '66 did a great version too!!

Heard long time ago that someone told them something to the extend that their sound was limited, and that they were a one trick pony, and they could never pull off a Beatles song for example. And they did and it went on the be a hit. Don't know if I heard, or even remember, it right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzP-KvfC8QQ

[shamustwin]

Right, one of my least favorite fab tunes. Course the whole side one of MMT has a morning after, hangover, the party's over vibe for me.

[sloop_john_b]

Definitely one of my least favorites. We performed the entire MMT album last year and I couldn't stand even playing it.

[JakeK]

Definitely one of my least favorites. We performed the entire MMT album last year and I couldn't stand even playing it.

An entire album? Is that even possible?

[MaplegloMatt]

I'm going to politely disagree. I really like the whole MMT album. (even though it really was never intended as a full album by the band)
Yes, it followed in the shadow of Sgt Pepper, I think it's got some great tracks. Of course, Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields were early Sgt Pepper tracks that were put out before the album but they fit in with the whole pyschedelic vibe. I am the Walrus is one of my favorite John songs, the title track is very good and as far as Fool on the Hill goes, I actually have always thought it was great. I think the whole package (including the somewhat sketchy film) has actually improved with age.

[teeder]

+1, Matt.

[iiipopes]

After reading this thread over the New Year, I went back and watched MMT. On retrospect, it is a grand slice of a moment in English culture infused by psychedelia that is priceless. Critics panned it for low production and lack of focus. But I have actually been on an English coach daytrip. Now, I went out to such places as Leeds Castle to see the peacocks (of which I confess I smuggled home a peacock feather in a poster), and so it was pretty straightforward, not avant-garde in the slightest, and we didn't really sing old show tunes to an accordian, but the enthusiam of adventure was quite evident, with an amazing wide array of personalities. A good time was had by all. One must go to Jolly Ole' Blighty and actually take a coach daytrip. Then you will understand MMT and "Day Tripper" so much better!

In the summer of 1985 I was in England on an internship, and on one weekend I did the Liverpool tour. So, in addition, I have actually: 1) ridden on the actual MMT coach, refurbished for tours with original livery; 2) had a haircut in the barber shop on Penny Lane; 3) stood at the gates to Strawberry Fields orphanage; 4) the coach circled the roundabout, where they do still have a summer festival and bazaar, with the girls selling poppies from a tray; and so on and so forth, culminating once I got back to London with a walk across Abbey Road and the camera clicked just as I was exactly in John's footsteps. If I can find the old snapshots, and they're still clear enough to scan, I'll try to post.

Oh, and the barrister I was a pupil to actually argued a case in the House of Lords, and I got to go with him and eat in the Peer's dining hall by invitation. Finally, on another trip, I got to see the annual Tchaikovsky evening with the London Phil, so I do know personally how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.

[FretlessOnly]

Good stuff, Scott.

I would note that one of the main reasons that MMT got such a bad reception was that the original broadcast was in B&W and much of the imagery and psychedlic feel was lost. In particular, the scene of the snowscape changes color rather dramatically in the color version, but is very stark and completely undefined in the B&W version. Of course, some critics had been chomping at the bit for any excuse to lambast the Beatles, and even though the color version (broadcast shortly after the original broadcast) proved to be better (and let's face it, it's not great, but I do like it), once the word was out from day one it was hard to remove the stigma.

[simer4001]

MMT is not a true album at all. Only the braintrust at Capitol would think to add all the singles from 1967 to make it an entire album. I go back and forth about FOOL ON THE HILL. At the moment it wouldn't rank very high with me.