My iPod #60: The Beatles - Baby, You're a Rich Man

"How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people?"

"Baby, You're a Rich Man" was originally released a b-side to "All You Need Is Love" in the summer of 1967.

Everything was still fine with the group; Brian Epstein was alive and they had been revelling from the success of their then new album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". Yep, things were going strong. Probably better than ever before.

The band then decided to start work on "Magical Mystery Tour", in those sessions this song was recorded. The actual thing started out as two separate ideas that Lennon and McCartney had, the former with the aforementioned quote at the top and the latter with the "Baby, You're a Rich Man" chorus. With a few tweaks and shape ups, they ended up with the song that you and I enjoy today.

Apparently at the very end of the song when everyone is singing the chorus, John sings 'baby, you're a rich fag jew' in reference to their manager Brian Epstein who was a homosexual... and Jewish. I can't hear it, it's probably just a rumour. Thinking on the lyrics now, it may be that the song is about him - but that's for discussion.

It's very groovy, with smooth bass playing by Paul and a clavioline by John which makes those random noises in the intro and during the verses. The highlight for me is at the end when the song picks up pace, everyone's shouting the title at the top of their voices and the song fades out. Everyone sounds so happy and we all know that they wouldn't be that way for much longer, but that particular part makes me want to be in the studio with them.

You know the video for "Hello, Goodbye" when everyone starts dancing? This is the audio version is that.

It's also something that makes me want to have more songs on The Beatles Rock Band. Can we have more songs on that game? Probably not.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #15: They Might Be Giants - Alienation's for the Rich

Oh my god, I'm so late. Sorry guys. I've been revising, so... yeah.

"They Might Be Giants again?" Yes. Deal with it.

It is another song from their debut entitled 'Alienation's for the Rich', one of those songs with a title which would make you immediately think, 'Oh hohoho. Those Giants and their weird, quirky titles derp derp derp.'

No.

I have to say, it did take me quite some time to actually get into this song. I would listen to the album, and it was so quick. You would be listening to songs with great melodies and eclectic instrumentation but they would be over so quickly before you realised.

Then 'Alienation' would start, and it just sounded so slow compared to the others. I was even like 'Alienation's for the Rich, like wh... what does that mean?' It was a song on the album that I would skip over quite a bit.

After listening to it a few more times, I have realised that it is probably one of the best songs out of the last five of the album, Rhythm Section Want Ad takes first place. Do you want to know why I changed my mind?

I will tell you anyway.

Yes, the first section of the song is pretty much samey samey, but it definitely captures the 'couch-potato, lazy sod' emotion and attitude that the 'narrator' is in. To me, just from the lyrics, it's about someone who 'needs a job' and needs to 'get some pay', but he doesn't give a shit and he feels fine.

John Flansburgh is a very underrated vocalist. I think that needs to be said. Both Johns are. They are very good singers. In this case, Flansburgh has a very wide range of vocal ability, ranging from girly-sounded whispers to a giant yelling his triumphs high from the hills. And he is able to use it well in any kind of song.

That is when the song completely changes. With a sudden key change after the instrumental bridge, Flansburgh starts belting out the second verse at the top of his lungs! I don't really know how to say it to you, I'm listening to the song in my head and trying to write how it sounds.

It's just brings a real elation to the track. You realise that the narrator is not miserable in the state he is in, but is damn proud of it. He really doesn't care. I mean, listen to the maniacal laughter at the end. LISTEN TO IT.

If only this was possible in real life.

Until next time.

Jamie.

A-HEY HEY HEY.