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The Best Hidden Gems in The Beatles’ 'Anthology' Albums

It is the midst of creation that the Beatles’ talent shines, and the Anthology albums capture such creation in jaw-dropping detail.

grjamison

Aug 01, 2018

George Washington University

210

The Best Hidden Gems in The Beatles’ 'Anthology' Albums

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The Beatles were original from the start, writing their own songs and singing as a group, not a leader and his sidemen. They reveled in their rebellion, using it to fuel their intense ambition. Everything they did was singular, from their outfits (usually led by the fashion-forward George) to their hair (adapted from their German friends) to the dichotomy between their nonchalant stage presence and the raw passion they poured into their songs. This then evolved to revolutionary recording experiments in the studio, where they continued to buck tradition while acknowledging their precedents.

As such, is it when they are in the midst of such creation that their talent and personalities shine, and the Anthology albums capture such creation in insane, beautiful, jaw-dropping detail. Here a few hidden gems in a band that specializes in quirk.

1. Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 1)

This song is a masterpiece. Full-stop. It manages to get a new angle on a song that has become the Mona Lisa of rock music. The guitar seems to drop into a new dimension, and John's voice has a distinct nakedness; there is a chilling yet thrilling contrast between the simplicity of the music and the psychedelic images it projects. Not to overstate how insane this song is but one listen to the guitars on this song and you'll be a changed person.

2. Let It Be

Paul sets the mood here with his aside to John: This'll knock you out, boy. And indeed it does. The piano and Paul's voice are as powerful in this demo as they are in the album version, and Paul's excitement with this new, astounding creation is visceral. John and George lend their iconic and winsome backing vocals, proving that even in their demos the Beatles still can astound. John sums it up nicely at the end by saying "I think that was rather grand. I'd take one home with me."

3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

This song, man. This song. If a song could ever physically touch your soul, this would be the one. George's vocals and delicate guitar are other-worldly and evoke a spirituality and reflection unknown to popular music at the time.

4. Come and Get It

Paul, ever the workaholic, came up with this demo before giving it the band Badfinger, who the Beatles signed to their Apple label. Paul had such faith in the song that he told Badfinger they had to play exactly as he did in the demo, but such advice is well-intentioned, as the song's demo is incredible. Though rollicking, it has a unique feel to it, characteristic of McCartney with a memorable beat and nice vocals.

5. Real Love

Completed by the surviving Beatles in the '90s during the Anthology project, it features, touchingly, John's vocals and has a sweet feel to it characteristic of Lennon's later years, with just enough edge and Beatle influence to make it one of their greatest hits, even after their disbanding.

Honorable Mentions

All the takes of No Reply are funny in the way the Beatles screw up
This Boy is absolutely hilarious, with John and Paul at the peak of their humor
Cry for a Shadow is an incredible and memorable instrumental from, amazingly, early in their careers
Not Guilty is a nice reminder of just how astonishing George could be, even as the quiet one.

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

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Recommended for you

The Best Hidden Gems in The Beatles’ 'Anthology' Albums

It is the midst of creation that the Beatles’ talent shines, and the Anthology albums capture such creation in jaw-dropping detail.

1. Strawberry Fields Forever (Take 1)

2. Let It Be

3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

4. Come and Get It

5. Real Love

Honorable Mentions

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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