One of my sisters left her copy of this album (the American version) at the house when she headed for college (or marriage, depending on which sister it was).
Six-year-old me scribbled on it, “The Beatles / A Hard Days Night / Must be havering fun.”
Indeed, they must have been havering fun. As a listener, so am I.
If I had to choose The Beatles’ greatest album, it would be this one (the UK version, not the rejiggered one that came out in the States).
Why this one, and not “Sgt. Pepper” or “Abbey Road”?
That’s easy. Look at the songs. And the performances.
This was only their third album and they’d been recording for only two years. And they – under the extraordinary guidance of producer George Martin – came up with…
The title track, opening with that chord sounding so complex someone did a scholarly paper about it.
“Can’t Buy Me Love.” Possibly the most perfect pop song ever.
BAM! goes Ringo’s snare and then we get “Any Time At All.”
John Lennon’s absolutely brilliant rhythm-ish solo on “You Can’t Do That.”
“I’ll Cry Instead” (“I’ve got a chip on my shoulder that’s bigger than my feet,” sings John). “I’ll Be Back.” “Things We Said Today.”
And, yeah, “And I Love Her” and “If I Fell” for the fans of sappy.
I still marvel at how young these guys were (George had just turned 21), how short a time they’d been known outside of Liverpool. And they wrote and recorded this 65 hours over 17 days – in between nearly endless touring around the world.
Still to come was “Help!” (a close second for me as The Beatles’ greatest – again, the UK version). And “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” etc.
But I’ll stay with “A Hard Day’s Night” with its melodies and harmonies, the limitless appeal of the guitar-bass-drum lineup and the energy and creativity and sheer fun.
I still can’t listen to it without getting a big smile on my face.
Track List (all songs Lennon/McCartney)
- A Hard Day’s Night
- I Should Have Known Better
- If I Fell
- I’m Happy Just To Dance With You
- An I Love Her
- Tell Me Why
- Can’t Buy Me Love
- Any Time At All
- I’ll Cry Instead
- Things We Said Today
- When I Get Home
- You Can’t Do That
- I’ll Be Back