6.55am
17 January 2013
When I listen to the White Album , I find I skip more songs than on any other Beatles album.. (all together I only skip Mr. Moonlight, Run For Your Life , and Blue Jay Way , really).
Here’s my supreme list:
- Back In The U.S.S.R.
- Dear Prudence
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps
- Happiness Is A Warm Gun
- Martha My Dear
- I’m So Tired
- Blackbird
- Piggies
- Rocky Raccoon
- Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?
- I Will
- Julia
- Birthday
- Yer Blues
- Mother Nature’s Son
- Sexy Sadie
- Helter Skelter
- Honey Pie
- Cry Baby Cry
Honorable mention: Revolution 1 . I prefer the single version.
"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
7.43pm
10 August 2011
Ah but LongHairedLady, now comes the hard part: you have to whittle it down to 14 songs.
I would take your list and pare it down to:
- Back In The U.S.S.R.
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps
- Happiness Is A Warm Gun
- I’m So Tired
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- Blackbird
- Rocky Raccoon
- Birthday
- I Will
- Julia
- Yer Blues
- Mother Nature’s Son
- Sexy Sadie
- Helter Skelter
(I myself haven’t completely followed the rules: only one Harrison song and no Ringo)
"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)
4.02pm
8 November 2012
The White Album is not my favorite, so I had a bit of trouble coming up with more than 12 tracks while sticking to the rules and coming up with a listenable order. But I think I came up with a version that’s pretty balanced between John/Paul songs. Here goes:
Side 1
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Dear Prudence
Glass Onion
Blackbird
Yer Blues
I Will
Julia
Side 2
Helter Skelter
Long, Long, Long
Mother Nature’s Son
Revolution 1 (Take 20)
Martha My Dear
Cry Baby Cry
Good Night
I did cheat a bit with the Take 20 of Revolution 1 . And I’d rather replace “I Will ” with “Junk.”
parlance
4.15pm
8 November 2012
As I was editing my list, I was reading the Wiki article on the article:
The Beatles was the first Beatles album released by Apple Records, as well as their only original double album. Producer George Martin has said that he was against the idea of a double album at the time and suggested to the group that they reduce the number of songs in order to form a single album featuring their stronger work, but that the band decided against this.[26] Interviewed for the Beatles Anthology, Starr said that he now felt that it should have been released as two separate albums (that he appropriately named The White Album and The Whiter Album). Harrison felt on reflection that some of the tracks could have been released as B-sides, but “there was a lot of ego in that band.” He also supported the idea of the double album, to clear out the backlog of songs that the group had at the time. McCartney, by contrast, said that it was fine as it was (“It’s great. It sold. It’s the bloody Beatles White Album . Shut up.”), and that its wide variety of songs was a major part of the album’s appeal.[27]
That quote from Paul reminds me of his retort to his grandkids about getting beaten at Beatles Rock Band. “I’m a legend, shut up.” LOL.
parlance
1.31am
28 January 2013
parlance said
As I was editing my list, I was reading the Wiki article on the article:The Beatles was the first Beatles album released by Apple Records, as well as their only original double album. Producer George Martin has said that he was against the idea of a double album at the time and suggested to the group that they reduce the number of songs in order to form a single album featuring their stronger work, but that the band decided against this.[26] Interviewed for the Beatles Anthology, Starr said that he now felt that it should have been released as two separate albums (that he appropriately named The White Album and The Whiter Album). Harrison felt on reflection that some of the tracks could have been released as B-sides, but “there was a lot of ego in that band.” He also supported the idea of the double album, to clear out the backlog of songs that the group had at the time. McCartney, by contrast, said that it was fine as it was (“It’s great. It sold. It’s the bloody Beatles White Album . Shut up.”), and that its wide variety of songs was a major part of the album’s appeal.[27]
That quote from Paul reminds me of his retort to his grandkids about getting beaten at Beatles Rock Band. “I’m a legend, shut up.” LOL.
parlance
As I think more of what you just put down parlance, is that 14 tracks could’ve been put on one album released in time for holiday 1968, out of the remaining 16 tracks, 6 can be put into Yellow Submarine ‘s B-side leaving 10 songs for a new LP. However Not Guilty and What’s The New Mary Jane can be added, and if The Beatles have decided upon this desicion more time coud’ve been added to he sessions and record some new material the boys have written, and/or record sogs that were never recorded for the album like Child Of Nature , Circles, Junk, and The Happy Rishikesh Song
And if you saw my love, I'll love her to.
6.51am
12 April 2013
And this is my White Beatles album:
1.Back In The USSR , 2.Dear Prudence , 3.While My Guitar Gently Weeps , 4.Happiness Is A Warm Gun , 5. Martha My Dear , 6. I’m So Tired , 7.Blackbird , 8.Piggies , 9.I Will , 10.Julia 11.Yer Blues , 12.Mother Nature’s Son , 13.Sexy Sadie , 14.Honey Pie , 15.Good Night
7.17am
17 January 2013
Into the Sky with Diamonds said
Ah but LongHairedLady, now comes the hard part: you have to whittle it down to 14 songs.
Oh s***e, I didn’t even realize that! I guess that means that I can’t do it then, because I wouldn’t be able to take anything else off of that list. I would probably add “Don’t Pass Me By ” as well. So, double it is!
"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
5.23am
10 June 2013
I for one would not have the ‘White Album ‘ any other way than it’s original form but nonetheless…
Heres my straight up Rock White Album ::
1. Helter Skelter , 2.Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Hide Except Me and My Monkey, 3. Mother Natures Son, 4. Martha My Dear , 5. Revolution 1 , 6. Savory Truffle, 7. Why Don’t We Do It In The Road? 8. Sexy Sadie , 9. Birthday , 10. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill , 11. Happiness Is A Warm Gun , 12. While My Guitar Gently Weeps , 13. Back In The USSR , 14. Glass Onion , 15. Dear Prudence (46minutes)
this was too hard and irealize this is probably too long for a 1968 LP anyway so maybe imagine it as a double EP!
I also like playing “Jubilee” on repeat while “Revolution 9 ” (which I really do enjoy on it’s own too) is playing simultaneously, when it stops I wait for the cars again haha its fantastic [A.K.A: Some Zaireeka! type-s**t- I’ll make it someday soon]
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MrCleanMachine"P. P. P. P. S- L. P. Winner."
6.09am
1 August 2013
I’ve always felt like it would have been amazing if the White Album were ordered so that all of the happy, upbeat songs were on the first disc and the creepier songs (let’s face it, there are a lot on that album) were on the second. That being said, I think it could also work on a single disc, with it getting creepier and creepier until finally culminating with number nine.
Side 1: 1. Back In The USSR 2. Dear Prudence 3. Birthday 4. Savoy Truffle 5. I Will 6. Sexy Sadie 7. Blackbird (19.75 minutes)
Side 2: 1.I’m So Tired 2.Long, Long, Long 3.Happiness Is A Warm Gun 4.While My Guitar Gently Weeps 5.Cry Baby Cry 6.Helter Skelter 7.Revolution 9 (28 min.)
I know 28 minutes is quite long for one side of an LP, but Side 2 of the Rolling Stones’ Aftermath went for 27 minutes, so it wasn’t impossible.
12.36pm
19 April 2010
I think what should also be remembered is that in their time, Beatles albums were not just collections of songs by your favorite band, they were cultural statements and almost signposts of where things were heading.
When the White Album came out – I can recall my first time seeing and hearing it – even before we played it, before hearing a note we were amazed. No picture on the cover – none. A double album. Words in black (almost grey actually) and white – coming on the heels of the colorful Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery – the contrast was unmistakable.
And to open it and have all those songs listed – with titles that made no sense at all (in particular the title “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill ” really was startling – we woudl read the song titles before we even played the record).
And then the poster and the four glossy shots inside – the needle hadn’t even hit the vinyl and we were wondering “what the hell is going on and how long is going to take to listen to all these songs?”
Remember the deal with Beatles records in that day was that you would play them and then play them right over again. So a double album – who could keep up?
And then the songs themselves – you loved one, confused by one, maybe disliked another, it was a genuine roller coaster.
So I guess my point is this – at the time, as fans, we never ever discussed whether the White Album should have been a single album because the entire package and packaging as well as the discs were part of the release – in those days it truly felt like a conversation they were having with the fans – this started mostly with Pepper – and so if this is what the Beatles had to say to us. then we took it as they said it.
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MrCleanMachine"She looks more like him than I do."
7.37pm
5 August 2013
Ok – the rules, 14 songs.There should be I reckon, a Ringo vocal. My single White would be….
- Back in USSSR
- Dear Prudence
- While My Guitar
- Blackbird
- Happiness Is A Warm Gun
- I Will
- Yer Blues
- Everybody’s……Monkey
- Mother Nature’s Son
- Helter Skelter
- Julia
- Long Long Long
- Cry Baby Cry
- Good Night
I reckon that strikes the right balance between acoustic and rockers. A couple o’ nearlys, including Martha My Dear & I’m So Tired .
7.58pm
14 September 2013
If I had to reduce The White Album to a single disc:
1. Back In The USSR
2. Dear Prudence
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
4. Me and My Monkey
5. Birthday
6. Sexy Sadie
7. I Will
8. I’m So Tired
9. Blackbird
10. Martha My Dear
11. Happiness Is A Warm Gun
12. Not Guilty
13. Helter Skelter
14. Cry Baby Cry /Can You Take Me Back
The Beatles could have then donated some more tracks to Yellow Submarine : Glass Onion , Ob-La-Di, Piggies , Rocky Raccoon , Honey Pie , Savoy Truffle , Revolution 1 , and Goodnight would have all fit in rather well.
They could have saved some of the remaining tracks, like Yer Blues , for a future project, such as Let It Be . Revolution 9 and Bungalow Bill could have been a John solo tracks.
5.29am
14 September 2013
Or how about a more “narcotic hard rock” White Album single disc, with a couple ballads thrown in for variation:
1. Back In The USSR
2. Dear Prudence
3. Glass Onion
4. Birthday
5. Everybody’s Got Somethin’ To Hide Except Me and My Monkey
6. Not Guilty
7. I’m So Tired
8. Blackbird
9. Happiness Is A Warm Gun
10. Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?
11. Yer Blues
12. Helter Skelter
13. Revolution 1
14. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
1.21am
3 September 2013
Got on here with the best of intentions but all I can think to delete is Goodnight. But got to add Not Guilty so I’m still left with a double album…what would Sir George have done, I’ve often wondered?
....ya won't be interferin' wit the basic rugged concept o' me personality would ya madam?
11.17am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
I’m probably contradicting an earlier post of mine – but what the hey.
I now think 2 albums, rather than a double or one cobbled together. I also think cut them ‘as is’. Release the first LP/CD as the self-titled album, then the second one 8 months later and call it ‘Grey’
==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
1.54pm
6 August 2013
trcanberra said
I’m probably contradicting an earlier post of mine – but what the hey.I now think 2 albums, rather than a double or one cobbled together. I also think cut them ‘as is’. Release the first LP/CD as the self-titled album, then the second one 8 months later and call it ‘Grey’
I did a show on this topic. I think I need to re-air it and let you guys hear it and get your thoughts.
"There's no such thing as bad student... only bad teacher."
4.00am
Reviewers
1 November 2013
OK.
The Beatles LP:
Side 1:
3. Glass Onion
5. Blackbird
6. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Side 2:
1. Birthday
2. Yer Blues
4. Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey
There you go! What do you think?
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4.36am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
1.41am
Reviewers
1 November 2013
11.03pm
18 January 2014
This is a tough decision. I’ve actually been thinking of attempting to whittle this album down to under 80 minutes to keep a burned copy in my car. Anyway, going with the original rules of 14 tracks, two George and one Ringo, I’ve settled on this:
Side 1:
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
6. Blackbird
Side 2:
8. Yer Blues
11. Helter Skelter
10. Sexy Sadie
12. Long, Long, Long
13. Revolution 1
14. Cry Baby Cry
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