My iPod #256: The Beatles - Dear Prudence

"Dear Prudence" is the second track on the first disc of The Beatles' self titled album from 1968. It was one of many to be written by John Lennon when the group visited India earlier in the year for a meditation course, in order to get away from all the added attraction the band brought onto themselves the previous year. Many people joined the band on their visit and would be entertained by the group whenever there weren't any lectures occurring, but there was one who would retreat back to their room, meditate some more and barely keep in contact with anyone. That person was Prudence Farrow, this was John's message to her.

That's just a bit of background info.

I became a huge Beatles fan in late 2009. Around the time the new album remasters and The Beatles: Rock Band came out, coincidentally. I downloaded (almost) every Beatles album as I was awed at just how consistently good their songs were, even as they changed through the years.

If only I was typing this to you from the computer back home, I could tell you when I actually first downloaded "The Beatles" and therefore listened to "Dear Prudence" for the first time. I can't remember if I had seen its dreamscape from the game before listening to the whole album, or vice-versa....... It's nothing to dwell upon, really.

I don't think I've typed anything that would have convinced you to listen to the song. I'm not able to tell you just how good this song is with the less-than-satisfactory vocabulary I have.

It is one of Lennon's best - a beautiful and timeless track.

My iPod #255: Paul & Linda McCartney - Dear Boy

"Dear Boy" is the fourth track on Paul McCartney's second solo album (credited to both he and wife-at-the-time Linda) Ram, released all the way back in 1971.

Paul believed he was very lucky to have Linda as his wife, and wrote this song as a tribute to her. It is also an address to her former husband; they married years earlier in 1962 before divorcing in 1965. McCartney 'tells' him that he was a silly man to let Linda go, and that he will never find another one like her.

Although most of it is in a minor key, the dramatic, layered backing vocals and airy rhythm make things a little lighter. You can probably imagine the smugness he had when writing and singing this: "I hope you never know, dear boy, how much you missed/And even when you fall in love, dear boy, it won't be half as good as this".

Burn.