Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello everyone,

The other day I was listening to the song “Misery” and I found out that, in my opinion, there isn’t an exact correspondence between the music and the lyrics of the song: a sad message through a mainly happy music. Something similar happens to “Help” but in this case Lennon himself said he was crying out for real help although anyone noticed at that time.

Maybe Lennon was talking about real misery in that song too, so, with a little help from a friend, I recorded a demo cover of that song as it would be recorded by the Beatles in 1965 or 1966 instead in 1963 (after Dylan’s influence, so to speak).

That’s the result and I though it would be interesting to share with you. I apologize for the non professional sound (it’s a rough home demo recording) and the spanish-english accent. Maybe this encourages someone with a better voice (all the Lennon’s tribute band singers who visit this page) and equipment to record a version in that style.

Thanks in advance for 2 minutes and 17 seconds of your time

Javier

http://www.hispasonic.com/musica-3754.html

(just click in “Conexión rápida” if you have DSL or “Conexion lenta” if you haven’t)

Javier: An interesting observation about the contrasting music and lyrics. The Beatles had a number of songs that were cheerful in melody but pessimitic in content.

I enjoyed your interpretation of Misery. I thought that you and your friend made it your own, which is in the spirit of The Beatles. For me, the melancholy tone was appropriate for the lyrics.

Thanks for sharing this work. I guess you could say that in the case of your version Misery loves company.

Very nice work, Javier. Excellent sound. The lyrics really stand out in your version, and makes the listener take all the words in. Great job!
Andrew

Javier;

Very nice! Makes you wonder if the boys didn't try it that way before settling on the finished version. I too, always thought Misery was a little "up tempo" for a song about a guy that was so miserable.

Javier,

Very nice - I like your version better than [oh, I can't believe I'm saying this!] THEIRS. Send more!

But Misery is about teen love isn't it? What a coincidence I have the Veejay album on now and it just came on.

Sounds like a pretty darn good Lennon-ish vocal to me!

Thank you very much to for your nice comments. We only tried to find the hidden beauty of this song, but it’s all Lennon's merit really (only 22 years old at that time). It's always easier to make a new arrangement that write a new song!!

Cheers!

Perhaps Lennon had a way of hiding misery with scarism. You now how someone might tell some else off but in a kidding sort of way while at the same time meaning every nasty word of it.

Hi, I am the singer. Thanks for your comments. I hope you will find some good ideas inside the cover.

Great singing....Great feel....Very imaginative....what a great idea to think of how the Beatles would approach songs from diff't periods....I always wanted to hear a 1969 balls-out version of You Can't Do That...(no, not found among the lame Let it Be takes,,,,)

Muy bonito. You have the Lennonesque vocal down pat, but more importantly is the feel of the song. Your interpretation comes across as honest and from the heart. It sure brought back some memories: Back around 1964 or so, I had an old acoustic with a hugely warped neck that I had bought from a neighbor for all of five bucks. I learned my first chords on that thing, and my first real song using those chords was "Misery". So, I've always had a soft spot for this tune. Thanks so much for peeling back about 40 years and making me smile!

Michael, Paul, I Don´t know what to say. This music lives inside my soul too. Thanks a lot.