Please consider registering
Guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed sp_TopicIcon
Think For Yourself
sp_BlogLink Read the original blog post
18 October 2015
11.57am
Avatar
Ahhh Girl
sailing on a winedark open sea
Moderator

Moderators

Members

Reviewers
Forum Posts: 22680
Member Since:
20 August 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I wonder if Paul may have had

Think For Yourself
‘Cause I won’t be there with you

in mind when he wrote these lines in Don’t Be Careless Love

I won’t be there
So look out for yourself

30 January 2016
1.38pm
Avatar
Pineapple Records
Shea Stadium
Members
Forum Posts: 842
Member Since:
15 May 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I just discovered that the country legend Marty Robbins (1925-1982) may have pioneered the “fuzz bass” tone we all know and love from Paul’s playing on “Think For Yourself ” — purely by accident, apparently:

When Robbins was recording his 1961 hit “Don’t Worry”, session guitarist Grady Martin accidentally created the electric guitar “fuzz” effect – his six-string bass was run through a faulty channel in a mixing console. Marty decided to keep it in the final version. The song reached No. 1 on the country chart, and No. 3 on the pop chart.

You can hear the effect begin at about 1:26 — dig it, cats!

The following people thank Pineapple Records for this post:

pepperland, ewe2, Beatlebug, Shamrock Womlbs, Leppo, vonbontee

A ginger sling with a pineapple heart,

a coffee dessert, yes you know it's good news...

30 January 2016
3.54pm
Avatar
ewe2
Inside the beat
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 3032
Member Since:
8 January 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

That is an awesome fuzz, what a great accident. Makes the song really pop.

The following people thank ewe2 for this post:

Von Bontee

I'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe.  This has been true for 2016 & 2017 Sig-Badge.png but I may have to get more specific in the future.

aus-flag-v-small.png

14 May 2016
9.11am
Avatar
The Hippie Chick
Counting the holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
Candlestick Park
Members
Forum Posts: 1387
Member Since:
17 January 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I don’t think I’ve ever heard another song that used the word “rectify”. I remember hearing this song as a kid and just going “Wow.” and thinking it was so deep and so smart. It resonates, even now. George, I’ve always thought, was never appreciated enough as a songwriter within the Beatles.

The following people thank The Hippie Chick for this post:

Zig, Beatlebug, WeepingAtlasCedars

“She wasn't doing a thing that I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together.”  - J.D. Salinger

4 March 2017
2.18pm
Avatar
Leppo
London
Hollywood Bowl
Members
Forum Posts: 657
Member Since:
6 July 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Silly Girl said
I never quite appreciated the harmonies on this till I heard this terrific overdubs clip: 

  

I don’t know if this is the same clip as that link isn’t working anymore but I love all the dialogue and messing about on this clip which is real fly on the wall stuff. John has a lot of problems memorising the melody.

 

The following people thank Leppo for this post:

The Hole Got Fixed, WeepingAtlasCedars, Beatlebug, vonbontee, Martha

Pivotal Moments in Beatles History No.118:  Yoko helps herself to one of George's digestives. 

19 November 2017
11.16am
Avatar
Evangeline
1334 North Beechwood Drive
Candlestick Park
Members
Forum Posts: 1808
Member Since:
14 February 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I’ve been really liking this song. The harmonies, the witty, sharp lyrics, and most of all the whole song.
It’s a little reminiscent of Nowhere Man , but in my opinion it’s way better lyrically-wise.

The following people thank Evangeline for this post:

Beatlebug, Zig

I am you as you are you as you are you and you are all together. 

21 November 2017
1.35pm
Avatar
QuarryMan
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 3761
Member Since:
26 January 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I don’t think anybody dislikes this song. Compared to the other great songs on Rubber Soul it’s no masterpiece, but it’s a deeply satisfying listen in all areas.

I've been up on the mountain, and I've seen his wondrous grace,
I've sat there on the barstool and I've looked him in the face.
He seemed a little haggard, but it did not slow him down,
he was humming to the neon of the universal sound. 

21 November 2017
1.54pm
Avatar
Billy Rhythm
Shea Stadium
Members
Forum Posts: 953
Member Since:
22 December 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I discovered a newfound appreciation with ‘Think For Yourself ‘ after playing it on ‘The Beatles’ RockBand’ game…  The game uses the ‘Live at Shea’ backdrop complete with the hysteria and the song’s a blast to play drums on…  while it may not sound like it, the singing is quite challenging as well…  it’s not a song that I would’ve thought to have live potential until playing ‘The Beatles’ RockBand’…  it surprisingly works…:-)

20 December 2022
3.29am
Avatar
Sea Belt
Candlestick Park
Members
Forum Posts: 1195
Member Since:
7 November 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I remember my older sister buying Rubber Soul in a bin at a department store and I read on the back cover that “Paul plays the special ‘fuzz’ bass on Think For Yourself !”

Anyway, there’s one part where he goes down deep — right after “going to” from G chord to Eb chord. I think Ultimate Guitar got one chord wrong.  It should be Eb to F (not D) to G. I’d like to know what notes Paul is using to stair-step down from G to Eb.

C7

Do what you want to do

G

And go where you're going to

Eb D (F?) G

Think For Yourself 'cause I won't be there with you

Now today I find, you have changed your mind

6 May 2023
11.32pm
Avatar
Von Bontee
496 km NW of the '69 Toronto Rock n Roll Revival
Apple rooftop
Members
Forum Posts: 5605
Member Since:
14 December 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Was listening today, and it struck me how Ringo’s playing on this can be seen as a precursor to his “Rain ” performance – the way he throws in a fill every few bars, and they’re all varied

The following people thank Von Bontee for this post:

Richard, Rube, sir walter raleigh

Paul: Yeah well… first of all, we’re bringing out a ‘Stamp Out Detroit’ campaign.

         

7 May 2023
1.25am
Avatar
Timothy
Nutopia
Candlestick Park
Members
Forum Posts: 2214
Member Since:
14 June 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Interesting, I’ll pay attention to that. Love the song, and it’s more relevant than ever lyrically.

The following people thank Timothy for this post:

Rube

1.The Beatles 2.Sgt. Pepper 3.Abbey Road 4.Magical Mystery Tour 5.Rubber Soul 6.Revolver 7.Help! 8.Let It Be
9.A Hard Day’s Night 10.Please Please Me 11.Beatles For Sale 12.With The Beatles 13.Yellow Submarine

Most Avid John Fan 2020 and 2021: john.png john.png

10 May 2023
3.02am
Avatar
vonbontee
Northern Ontario, and in Von Bontee's mind
Apple rooftop
Members
Forum Posts: 5608
Member Since:
1 December 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Timothy said
Interesting, I’ll pay attention to that. Love the song, and it’s more relevant than ever lyrically.

Haha sorry, I listened again last night and barely hear what I thought I heard before…guess I was hearing differently while walking…

GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty. 

         offtopic-1.png

https://rateyourmusic.com/~Myo.....Von_Bontee

10 May 2023
8.48am
Avatar
sir walter raleigh
In our yellow (IN OUR YELLOW) submarine (SUBMARINE AHA!)
Apple rooftop
Members
Forum Posts: 5953
Member Since:
26 January 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

vonbontee said

Timothy said

Interesting, I’ll pay attention to that. Love the song, and it’s more relevant than ever lyrically.

Haha sorry, I listened again last night and barely hear what I thought I heard before…guess I was hearing differently while walking…

  

One of the things that makes Ringo’s drumming so good how he’s able to do things that are sometimes completely invisible. On Penny Lane I was hearing this insane groove and on another listen it was just snare on 2 and 4. Its like the ability great jazz players have to put phrases into a listeners head during silences. Its extremely psychedelic especially from Rubber Soul onward. 

The following people thank sir walter raleigh for this post:

Rube, Ahhh Girl, vonbontee

"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"

-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues

"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"

-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl

12 May 2023
9.35pm
Avatar
Timothy
Nutopia
Candlestick Park
Members
Forum Posts: 2214
Member Since:
14 June 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

vonbontee said

Timothy said

Interesting, I’ll pay attention to that. Love the song, and it’s more relevant than ever lyrically.

Haha sorry, I listened again last night and barely hear what I thought I heard before…guess I was hearing differently while walking…

  

I’ve got a word or two to say about the things that you do. paul-mccartney-facepalm_gif ahdn_george_08

The following people thank Timothy for this post:

vonbontee, Rube

1.The Beatles 2.Sgt. Pepper 3.Abbey Road 4.Magical Mystery Tour 5.Rubber Soul 6.Revolver 7.Help! 8.Let It Be
9.A Hard Day’s Night 10.Please Please Me 11.Beatles For Sale 12.With The Beatles 13.Yellow Submarine

Most Avid John Fan 2020 and 2021: john.png john.png

17 May 2023
6.29pm
Avatar
QuarryMan
Rishikesh
Members
Forum Posts: 3761
Member Since:
26 January 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Von Bontee said
Was listening today, and it struck me how Ringo’s playing on this can be seen as a precursor to his “Rain ” performance – the way he throws in a fill every few bars, and they’re all varied

  

Between this and the fuzz bass this has to be one of the strongest rhythm section performances on a Beatles track. 

The following people thank QuarryMan for this post:

vonbontee, Rube

I've been up on the mountain, and I've seen his wondrous grace,
I've sat there on the barstool and I've looked him in the face.
He seemed a little haggard, but it did not slow him down,
he was humming to the neon of the universal sound. 

17 May 2023
7.33pm
Avatar
vonbontee
Northern Ontario, and in Von Bontee's mind
Apple rooftop
Members
Forum Posts: 5608
Member Since:
1 December 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Hey QuarryMan!

QuarryMan said

Between this and the fuzz bass this has to be one of the strongest rhythm section performances on a Beatles track. 

  

…and it’s followed up immediately by another candidate! (I love that transition so much, it’s about one beat, and I think both songs are in the same key?) Such a funky little r&b groove on “The Word “, with the piano, amazing bass, guitar ‘chanks’, and Ringo doing more of those endlessly varied perfect little fills. (And the icing in the cake is George Martin’s harmonium breaks, and he somehow gets it to sound all wheezy and droney, distorted like John Cale’s “Sister Ray” organ! Man I love “The Word “…)

But I should 

stay-on-topic

The following people thank vonbontee for this post:

Rube

GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty. 

         offtopic-1.png

https://rateyourmusic.com/~Myo.....Von_Bontee

26 May 2023
12.53am
Avatar
meanmistermustard
Thankfully not where I am.
Moderator
Members

Reviewers


Moderators
Forum Posts: 25171
Member Since:
1 May 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

To indulge in some off-topicness. Ringo’s drumming in ‘Wait ‘ is fabulous too. I know the song was the definition of find a song to fill an album but the track is great.

 

And so to be on topic, here is the fantastic ‘Think For Yourself ‘ backing track.

The following people thank meanmistermustard for this post:

Richard, Rube

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

Forum Timezone: Europe/London
Most Users Ever Online: 2057
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 191
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Starr Shine?: 16105
Ron Nasty: 12534
Zig: 9827
50yearslate: 8759
Necko: 8050
AppleScruffJunior: 7585
parlance: 7111
mr. Sun king coming together: 6394
Mr. Kite: 6147
trcanberra: 6064
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 88
Members: 2927
Moderators: 5
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 3
Forums: 44
Topics: 5557
Posts: 384111
Newest Members:
gh0str1der_, pauls_wife_real, Paul_Mc, jprg13, cornflakesitter
Moderators: Joe: 5713, meanmistermustard: 25171, Ahhh Girl: 22680, Beatlebug: 18229, The Hole Got Fixed: 8410
Administrators: Joe: 5713