Remarkably free of the contrivances that yell out "this is a song, people!", it was like having a conversation with them or overhearing one - that's how much like spying on the singer's most intimate musings and vulnerabilities it seemed with these songs. It could be creepy on some level, but the feeling went away quickly because, even at such a young age, we could relate to the emotions. I've never quite understood why that should be, but certainly the older I got, the more these songs resonated because they pertained to experiences I'd actually had.
And of course it didn't hurt that these songs tended to be beauties of musical construction from start to finish.
Estivator's Picks for Best Intimate, Conversational Songs
Girl - "She's the kind of girl you want so much it makes you sorry, still you don't regret a single day."
I'll Be Back - "You could find better things to do than to break my heart again."
If I Fell - "If I give my heart to you, I must be sure from the very start that you will love me more than him."
No Reply - "I tried to telephone. They said you were not home. That's a lie."
You Can't Do That - "I've got something to say that might cause you pain; if I catch you talking to that boy again I'm gonna let you down and leave you flat. Because I told you before, oh you can't do that."
You're Gonna Lose That Girl - "I'll make a point of taking her away from you - watch what you do. The way you treat her, what else can I do?"
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3 comments:
Superb selection and insights. These six John songs are among my all-time favorites by The Beatles. It was easier to identify with a guy who could have any girl in the world when you noticed that he too suffered in love.
Brilliant. I believe they consciously wrote songs with "you" and "I" in the titles, to imply those connections. Of course I fell for it too...
WONDERFUL selection of songs Wendy! Such beautiful melodies. Especially love John's 'inhales' before he sings Girl for the second time on the choruses. No Reply has always been one of my faves...so dark and sad to witness the fate of the boy who just wants the love of the woman he loves (and as a drummer I love the odd bossa nova time signature, as well as the shimmering crash cymbals, including the one that ends the song). And the sheer vulnerability and If I Fell, but contrasted with the fact he has given his love to someone other than the one he's with. Not sure if it was autobiographical at that time or if he was just singing about an idea in the song. At any rate, one of the Fab's most beautiful songs. The layers of harmonies on You're Gonna Lose reminds me a bit of the Beach Boys.
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