℗ 1968
℗ 1968 Apple Records PCS 7067/8 / © Parlophone Records: The Beatles (White Album)
℗ 1968 Apple Records SWBO 101 / © Capitol Records: The Beatles (White Album)
℗ 1991 ÀíÒðîï-ñòóäèî Ï91 00009-10-11-12: The Beatles (White Album)
℗ 1968 : disc 1
Each song on the sprawling double album The Beatles is an entity to itself, as the band touches on anything and everything they can. This makes for a frustratingly scattershot record or a singularly gripping musical experience, depending on your view, but what makes the White Album interesting is its mess. Never before had a rock record been so self-reflective, or so ironic; the Beach Boys send-up "Back in the USSR" and the British blooze parody "Yer Blues" are delivered straight-faced, so it's never clear if these are affectionate tributes or wicked satires. Lennon turns in two of his best ballads with "Dear Prudence" and "Julia"; scours the Abbey Road vaults for the musique concrete collage "Revolution 9"; pours on the schmaltz for Ringo's closing number, "Good Night"; celebrates the Beatles cult with "Glass Onion"; and, with "Cry Baby Cry," rivals Syd Barrett. McCartney doesn't reach quite as far, yet his songs are stunning — the music-hall romp "Honey Pie," the mock country of "Rocky Raccoon," the ska-inflected "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," and the proto-metal roar of "Helter Skelter." Clearly, the Beatles' two main songwriting forces were no longer on the same page, but neither were George and Ringo. Harrison still had just two songs per LP, but it's clear from "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the canned soul of "Savoy Truffle," the haunting "Long Long Long," and even the silly "Piggies" that he had developed into a songwriter who deserved wider exposure. And Ringo turns in a delight with his first original, the lumbering country-carnival stomp "Don't Pass Me By." None of it sounds like it was meant to share album space together, but somehow The Beatles creates its own style and sound through its mess. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine. |
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
You say it's your birthday Well it's my birthday too — yeah You say it's your birthday We're gonna have a good time I'm glad it's your birthday Happy birthday to you. Yes we're going to a party party Yes we're going to a party party Yes we're going to a party party. I would like you to dance — Birthday. Take a cha-cha-cha-chance — Birthday I would like you to dance — Birthday. Dance I would like you to dance — Birthday. Take a cha-cha-cha-chance — Birthday I would like you to dance — Birthday. Dance You say it's your birthday It's my birthday too — yeah They say it's your birthday We're gonna have a good time I'm glad it's your birthday Happy birthday to you.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
Yes, I'm lonely wanna die Yes, I'm lonely wanna die If I ain't dead already Ooh girl you know the reason why. In the morning wanna die In the evening wanna die If I ain't dead already Ooh girl you know the reason why. My mother was of the sky My father was of the earth But I am of the universe And you know what it's worth I'm lonely wanna die If I ain't dead already Ooh girl you know the reason why. The eagle picks my eye The worm he licks my bone I feel so suicidal Just like Dylan's Mr. Jones Lonely wanna die If I ain't dead already Ooh girl you know the reason why. Black cloud crossed my mind Blue mist round my soul Feel so suicidal Even hate my rock and roll Wanna die yeah wanna die If I ain't dead already Ooh girl you know the reason why.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
Born a poor young country boy — Mother Nature's son All day long I'm sitting singing songs for everyone. Sit beside a mountain stream — see her waters rise Listen to the pretty sound of music as she flies. Find me in my field of grass — Mother Nature's son Swaying daisies sing a lazy song beneath the sun. Mother Nature's son.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
Come on come on come on come on Come on is such a joy Come on is such a joy Come on is take it easy Come on is take it easy Take it easy take it easy Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey. The deeper you go the higher you fly The higher you fly the deeper you go So come on come on Come on is such a joy Come on is such a joy Come on is take it easy Come on is take it easy Take it easy take it easy Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey. Your inside is out and your outside is in Your outside is in and your inside is out So come on come on Come on is such a joy Come on is such a joy Come on is make it easy Come on is make it easy Make it easy make it easy Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
Sexy Sadie what have you done You made a fool of everyone You made a fool of everyone Sexy Sadie ooh what have you done. Sexy Sadie you broke the rules You laid it down for all to see You laid it down for all to see Sexy Sadie oooh you broke the rules. One sunny day the world was waiting for a lover She came along to turn on everyone Sexy Sadie the greatest of them all. Sexy Sadie how did you know The world was waiting just for you The world was waiting just for you Sexy Sadie ooh how did you know. Sexy Sadie you'll get yours yet However big you think you are However big you think you are Sexy Sadie oooh you'll get yours yet We gave her everything we owned just to sit at her table Just a smile would lighten everything Sexy Sadie she's the latest andthe greatest of them all. She made a fool of everyone Sexy Sadie. However big you think you are Sexy Sadie.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride Till I get to the bottom and I see you again. Do you, don't you want me to love you I'm coming down fast but I'm miles above you Tell me tell me tell me come on tell me the answer You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer. Helter skelter, helter skelter Helter skelter. Will you, won't you want me to make you I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you Tell me tell me tell me the answer You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer. Look out helter skelter, helter skelter Helter skelter. Look out, cause here she comes. When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride Till I get to the bottom and I see you again. Well do you, don't you want me to make you I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you Tell me tell me tell me the answer You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer. Look out helter skelter, helter skelter Helter skelter. Look out helter-skelter She's coming down fast Yes she is Yes she is.
(George Harrison)
It's been a long long long time, How could I ever have lost you When I loved you. It took a long long long time Now I'm so happy I found you How I love you So many tears I was searching, So many tears I was wasting, oh. Oh Now I can see you, be you How can I ever misplace you How I want you Oh I love you You know that I need you. Ooh I love you.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
You say you want a revolution Well you know We all want to change the world You tell me that's evolution Well you know We all want to change the world But when you talk about destruction Don't you know that you can count me out Don't you know it's gonna be alright Alright, alright You say you got a real solution Well you know We'd all love to see the plan You asked me for a contribution Well you know We're doing what we can But if you want money for people with minds that hate All I can tell you is brother you have to wait Don't you know it's gonna be alright Alright, alright You say you'll change the constitution Well you know We all want to change your head You tell me it's the institution Well you know You better free your mind instead But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow. Don't you know it's gonna be alright Alright, alright
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
She was a working girl North of England way Now she's hit the big time In the U.S.A. And if she could only hear me This is what I'd say. Honey pie you are making me crazy I'm in love but I'm lazy So won't you please come home. Oh honey pie my position is tragic Come and show me the magic Of your Hollywood song. You became a legend of the solver screen And now the thought of meeting you Makes me weak in the knee. Oh honey pie you are driving me frantic Sail across the Atlantic To be where you belong. Will the wind that blew her boat Across the sea Kindly send her sailing back to me. Honey pie you are making me crazy I'm in love but I'm lazy So won't you please come home. Come, come back to me, Honey pie.
(George Harrison)
Creme tangerine and montelimat A ginger sling with a pineapple heart A coffee dessert — yes you know its good news But you'll have to have them all pulled out After the Savoy truffle. Cool cherry cream and a nice apple tart I feel your taste all the time we're apart Coconut fudge — really blows down those blues But you'll have to have them all pulled out After the Savoy truffle. You might not feel it now But when the pain cuts through You're going to know and how The sweat is going to fill your head When it becomes too much You're going to shout aloud — Creme tangerine. You know that what you eat you are, But what is sweet now, turns so sour — We all know Ob-la-Di-Bla-Da But can you show me, where you are?… Creme tangerine and montelimat A ginger sling with a pineapple heart A coffee dessert — yes you know its good news But you'll have to have them all pulled out After the Savoy truffle.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
Cry baby cry Make your mother sigh She's old enough to know better. The king of Marigold was in the kitchen Cooking breakfast for the queen The queen was in the parlour Playing piano for the children of the king. Cry baby cry Make your mother sigh She's old enough to know better So cry baby cry. The king was in the garden Picking flowers for a friend who came to play The queen was in the playroom Painting pictures for the children's holiday. Cry baby cry Make your mother sigh She's old enough to know better So cry baby cry. The duchess of Kirkcaldy always smiling And arriving late for tea The duke was having problems With a message at the local bird and bee. Cry baby cry Make your mother sigh She's old enough to know better So cry baby cry. At twelve o'clock a meeting round the table For a seance in the dark With voices out of nowhere Put on specially by the children for a lark. Cry baby cry Make your mother sigh She's old enough to know better So cry baby cry cry cry cry baby Make your mother sigh. She's old enough to know better Cry baby cry Cry cry cry Make your mother sigh She's old enough to know better So cry baby cry.
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
…bottle of claret for you if I'd realised I'd forgotten all about it, George, I'm sorry Well do next time Will you forgive me? Mmmyes Cheeky bitch Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Then there's this Welsh Rarebit wearing some brown underpants About the shortage of grain in Hertfordshire Everyone of them knew that as time went by They'd get a little bit older and a little bit slower but It's all the same thing, in this case manufactured by someone who's always Umpteen time your father's giving it diddly-i-dee District was leaving, intended to pay for Number nine, number nine Who's to know? Who was to know? Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine I sustained nothing worse than Also for example Whatever you're doing A business deal falls through I informed him on the third night When fortune gives Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine Right! Right! Right, right, right, right! Right! Right! Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine I've missed all of that It makes me a few days late Compared with, like, wow! And weird stuff like that Taking our sides sometimes Floral bark Rogue doctors have brought this specimen I have nobody's short-cuts, aha Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine With the situation They are standing still Upon the telegram Ooh ooh Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine Ooh A man without terrors from beard to false As the headmaster reported to me My son he really can try as they do to find function Tell what he was saying, and his voice was low and his hive high And his eyes were low Alright! Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine So the wife called me and we'd better go to see a surgeon Or whatever to price it yellow underclothes So, any road, we went to see the dentist instead Who gave her a pair of teeth which wasn't any good at all So instead I'd marry, join the bloody navy and went to sea Block that kick, block that kick! In my broken chair, my wings are broken and so is my hair I'm not in the mood for whirling Um da Aaah How? Dogs for dogging, hands for clapping Birds for birding and fish for fishing Them for themming and when for whimming Only to find the night-watchman Unaware of his presence in the building Onion soup Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine Industrial output Financial imbalance Thrusting it between his shoulder blades The Watusi The Twist El Dorado Take this brother, may it serve you well Maybe it's nothing Aaah Maybe it's nothing What? What? Oh Maybe even then Exposure could be difficult thing It's quick like rush for peace is Because it's so much It was like being naked If you become naked Hold that line, hold that line! Block that kick, block that kick!
(John Lennon — Paul McCartney)
Now it's time to say good night Good night, sleep tight Now the sun turns out his light Good night, sleep tight Dream sweet dreams for me Dream sweet dreams for you. Close your eyes and I'll close mine Good night, sleep tight Now the moon begins to shine Good night, sleep tight Dream sweet dreams for me Dream sweet dreams for you. Close your eyes and I'll close mine Good night, sleep tight Now the sun turns out his light Good night, sleep tight Dream sweet dreams for me Dream sweet dreams for you. Good night good night everybody Everybody everywhere Good night.