1965 RUBBER SOUL

RUBBER SOUL : Two years of Beatlemania have afforded The Beatles considerable confidence and with this offering, they didn't even bother to put their name on the cover. This album mark a tremendous leap forward for them. Though there are still the occasional love songs, the lyrics here are overall more mature and thoughtful. The influence of Bob Dylan and The Byrds are more obvious and the inclusion of other instruments like the sitar and the fuzz bass rocked in a way that does not sound dated. Incredible, my brother does not have this in his collection.

DRIVE MY CAR : The best opener for any Beatles album so far. This is by the far the hardest track on the album. The rest sounded relatively quiet. Oneof the best rocker by The Fabs. I still use the Beep Beep Yeah on my hand phone.

NORWEGIAN WOOD ( THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN ) : The second track on the album have always been featured on any critics or fans favorite list of Beatles' songs included this one. The sitar bit was a touch of brilliance that lifted an already fantastic song into the beyond.

YOU WON'T SEE ME : Paul's problem with his then current girl friend, Jane Asher was a blessing in disguise, for Beatles fans that is. If he does not have this problem with her, he would not be inspired to write all these gems and the world would be poorer for the lack of these songs.

NOWHERE MAN : The fourth song and still no sign of slipping. This was the first song that does not have the love theme and boy what a song. An acoustic type of song that would suite any mood. One of my all time favorite Beatles song and one that I never get tired of listening. If it's being played on the radio just as I am getting out of the car, I'll sit it out and then I'll get out of the car.

THINK FOR YOURSELF : George's turn finally. With the first of his customary two tracks from this album, George was gradually growing as a composer of substance. The fuzz buss here was a first for The Beatles and any pop since now for that matter. Great as this track may be to other, I wasn't a fan of it. But I do recognise a great song when I hear one even though I may not be a fan of it.

THE WORD : The first slogan song by John Lennon. He was to write a few even more prominence slogan songs in the future of course. Compare to his later ones, this was the lesser one but nevertheless still enjoyable.

MICHELLE : The customary ballad from Paul McCartney and the most popular track from the album although it was not the best track. The Highlanders took the song to the top spot when The Beatles didn't release it as a single themselves.

WHAT'S GOES ON : I don't know why but most people tend to skip this song whenever they played the album. Even my brothers when they tapped the album on cassette, they will leave out this song. Maybe they don't like Ringo's voice but I like it. It have a country style through it. This track also have the distinction of being the only Beatles track with the composers' credit of Richard Starkey / John Lennon / Paul McCartney.

GIRL : Clearly, John Lennon was on a roll here. His contributions here just keeps going up and up with no sign of wearing thin. The haunting tune will stop anyone in his track and listen.

I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU :  Another Paul McCartney's song showing his displeasure at Jane Asher. God, I just love Jane Asher. This one was cut along the same cloth as 'You Won't See Me' but still a great track. Lesson to be learn here, never get into the wrong book of any artists, you could be  immotalised forever and not necessarily in the best of light.

IN MY LIFE : With this song, John Lennon got the nod even from his most harshest of critics. It's truly amazing and a wonder that a young lad of 25 can evoke so much emotions in a song that's only 2.26 minutes. Suffice to say, I am never tired of this song too and that middle part where George Martin plays the piano still sends a chill up my spine whenever I hear it. I've told my children that I want this song be played on my funeral and the lyrics be embedded on my tombstone.

WAIT : A somewhat playful tune. Not exactly the most memorable tune in the world but nevertheless doesn't warrant pressing the skip button.

IF I NEEDED SOMEONE : The second George Harrison song on the album. George's confidence was given a much needed boost when The Hollies covered this and got a hit out of it. Not my favourite though.

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE : This was considered another 'horror' from John Lennon but then John was always the most brutal critics of his own song. I disagree with John Lennon and I love this track. The first line was taken from an Elvis Presley's song 'Baby, Let's Play House'.Not the greatest Beatles track but then it is far from their worst.