Ranking The Beatles

Latest Episodes:

#149 - I'll Be Back with Kit O'Toole (Queen of Beatles Media!) Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

On the A Hard Day's Night album, John is absolutely on fire creatively, and at his most prolific. Tossed off on vacation, possibly as a tribute to Del Shannon's "Runaway," "I'll Be Back" is an oft-overlooked song deserving of way more attention than it usually gets. It's unique in that on a really upbeat album, it serves as a darker closer than one would expect. It features really smart 3 part harmonies that only serve to add to a real maturity found on this track. With the song's journey tracked as it moves from an electric waltz, to a straight electric pop tune, to an acoustic and nylon string driven song show the Beatles really working hard at refining what they're doing to get the best track possible. The end result is an early clue to the new direction, as you get introduced to the Beatles for Sale era right there at the end of A Hard Day's Night.

Joining us to chat this week is the wonderful Kit O'Toole, a writer, music journalist and video podcaster. She's the author or of Songs We Were Singing: Guided Tours Through the Beatles’ Lesser-Known Tracks and Michael Jackson FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Pop, a writer and associate editor for Beatlefan Magazine, among other writing jobs. She also co-hosts Talk More Talk : A Solo Beatles Videocast, which is a wonderful dive in to the solo career of the Fabs. We chat about all manner of things, like never clapping on the 1 and 3, challenging the idea of a pop song, and the multitude of ways the Beatles seem to impact people. On Feb 15, through Monmouth University, Kit is co-hosting (with our pal Ken Womack) a Tuesday Night Record Club event discussing Prince's Sign O' The Times, album, its a free event, you can sign up here! Follow along for future courses and events, as well as her upcoming books and more at kitotoole.com, and check out Talk More Talk as well!

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!

#150 - Dizzy Miss Lizzy with guest Sanjay Karnik Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

Guess who's back? It's your old pals at Ranking The Beatles! It's 2022, and we're back for Season 4, with new episodes and ready to rank more Beatles songs. We're starting this season off by looking at a track the boys recorded because Capitol Records wanted a couple of new songs to tack onto yet another cobbled together American release. So the boys reached back into their Cavern/Hamburg bag of tricks, and dusted off a few belters by (fellow New Orleanian) Larry Williams. They liked the end results of "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" so much, they decided to tack it on to the end of the 5th album (and the soundtrack to their 2nd film - the color one) Help! It's a barn burner of a rocker with a Lennon vocal that's coming straight from the gut. It's a rocker for sure, but a questionable arrangement choice, and some less than inspired guitar work, keeps this song from reaching the heights it maybe should've. It still smokes though, and is a ball to listen to.

We're excited to start this season off a little differently. When we first started up this podcast, one of my oldest and dearest friends texted me that whenever it came about in the list, he wanted to talk about "Dizzy Miss Lizzy," and after 25 years of friendship, you gotta do right by your buddy. So we're happy to be joined by Sanjay Karnik, a New Orleans native, now living in Chicago, and one of the finest people we have the pleasure of knowing. We chat about a number of different things, including the Beatles influence in realtime on India (as opposed to the often discussed influence of India on the Beatles), learning western pop music in an Indian-American household, the speed of the bands trajectory, the advantage of knowing your creative partners so well, and beautiful story about his parents and "Love Me Do." If you enjoy our chat, feel free to follow him on Twitter at @SKar1789 for a slew of progressive politics, sports, music, and other assorted shenanigans.

Bonus: A Tribute to Michael Nesmith Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

In honor of the late Michael Nesmith, we wanted to take the opportunity to talk about the man, his art, his amazing life journey, and the impact it's had on us. His career will always be somewhat intertwined in the Beatles story as a member of the Monkees, a tv show about a band, created in the image of the Beatles, so we think it's not too far a stretch to do this in the confines of a Beatles podcast.

To say his music plays a big role in our lives would be saying the bare minimum. Our lives have been greatly enriched because we have his songs in it. In light of his passing, it only seems appropriate to put his music out there in anyway we can, so we're presenting a baker's dozen of our favorite Nez tunes, some well known, some not so well known. We think/hope they're songs you might enjoy and be able to take into your lives as well. If you dig them, and we hope you do, we've built a playlist for you to enjoy those songs, plus a bunch more, all songs from both his time with the Monkees and as a solo artist.

We tried to give a cliffnotes version of his incredible life, but this was all done fairly off the cuff, so we've no doubt forgotten things here and there. But it seemed a good way to do our part to help keep his memory alive. We hope you enjoy this bonus episode, and more so the music contained within.

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/michael-nesmith/pl.u-kv9lbmmT6E3al

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7qQkGLA1jBSAXRIykkP0UR?si=b0ade223d4e84027 (note: Spotify doesn't have Nesmith's entire catalog, so about an hour of music is missing from this playlist compared to the Apple playlist).

Songs featured in this episode include:
Sweet Young Thing - The Monkees
You Told Me - The Monkees
Circle Sky - The Monkees
Listen To The Band - The Monkees
Nine Times Blue - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
Hollywood - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
Propinquity (I've Just Begun To Care) - Michael Nesmith & The First National Band
Keep On - Michael Nesmith
Dance - Michael Nesmith
Yellow Butterfly - Michael Nesmith
Me & Magdelena - The Monkees
Elusive Ragings - Michael Nesmith

#151 - Real Love with guest Jack Lawless (@BeatlesEarth) Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

Written during his house-husband years in the late 1970s, John wrote "Real Love" as part of a planned musical about his and Yoko's life. Despite demoing it a number of times, he didn't record it for his Double Fantasy album in 1980. The song was given a new life though when it was chosen by the remaining Beatles as a song to work on for the Anthology project, eventually making it's home as the second "new" Beatles song associated with the landmark project. It's the more uptempo of the two, and some say it's emerged as the more popular of the two. As a song that was mostly complete before the Threetles got to it, the final version ends up pretty smothered in Jeff Lynne's production style, which maybe prevents it from quite taking off like it should, but despite that, it's a song that's always made me feel happy. Seems I'm not the only one....

Joining us this week is Jack Lawless, the brains behind the Beatles twitter account @BeatlesEarth. With almost 50,000 followers, it's one of the most active Beatle twitter accounts, and one of the best representations of how Beatles fandom has adapted to social media. We chat with Jack about all kinds of things, from the cross-generational fun of chatting about the Fabs, soundtracking parts of your own life to Beatles eras, to run-ins with Yoko and Sean. Be sure to follow Jack on Twitter @BeatlesEarth, and keep an eye out for his upcoming podcast!

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's new official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!

#152 - We Can Work It Out with Matt and Samer of Super Awesome Mix Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

Imagine a world where your favorite band could release a new album, and a double-A side single with two songs not from that album on the same day. That's exactly what happened when The Beatles released Rubber Soul along side the double-A sided "We Can Work It Out/Day Tripper" single. Paul's side featured a relatively autobiographical tale of ongoing relationship woes with his long time girlfriend Jane Asher. Paul's verses are pleading with her to just understand and see things the way he sees them, if she wants things to work out, while John's more dour bridge section actually gives a bit of hope to proceedings somehow...there's no time for fussing and fighting. It's a stone Beatles classic but does it deserve the praise it gets?

Joining us this week to hash it all out are Matt and Samer, the brains behind Super Awesome Mix! It's a platform and podcast that celebrates the power of a good ol-fashioned mix tape (or mix cd, or mix 8 track, or mix reel-to-reel), where every element of the mix, from the track order to song selection to handmade cover art, is poured over before presenting it to it's benefactor. A mix has the power to say all the things we sometimes can't, and in the age of playlists, that personal human element of the mix is gone. Super Awesome Mix is an app where you can create your own mix, add personal notes or voice memos custom artwork and send it to someone, just the way we used to with mixtapes, only...in a digital platform. It's miles more personal than a playlist. Super Awesome Mix is also a podcast, where Matt and Samer and their guests discuss the art of the mix, and go over different themed mixes each show. If you grew up making mixtapes like we did, this is right up your alley. Download the app and start playing with it, it's so much fun, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast as well! You can also follow along on Twitter and IG.

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's new official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!

BONUS EPISODE - Get Backchat! A roundtable discussion of the Get Back series Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

Y'ALL. HOW GOOD IS GET BACK? We're absolutely reeling over this masterpiece docuseries. There's so much to absorb, so much to learn, so much to love. It's going to take many, many, many more viewings to take it all in.

We were delighted when our pod pals Tommy, Scotty and Becker from Blotto Beatles invited us to join them online for a conversation with more pod pals, Sam from Paul or Nothing, Allison and Erika of BC The Beatles, and Ethan of Fans on the Run at the end of release weekend to talk about what we all just watched. We talk about our favorite moments, the most enlightening moments, the most surprising moments and a whole lot more. A splendid time was had by all, and we wanted to share it with all of you.

So here's a bonus episode, graciously provided by the Blottos for us to share and you to enjoy.

Make sure to follow and subscribe to all of their shows!

Blotto Beatles
Paul Or Nothing
BC The Beatles
Fans on the Run

Recorded live Sunday, November 28, 2021

#153 - Yellow Submarine with Scott Durbin and Kyle Melancon of Imagination Movers Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

It's hard to imagine any other band in history who could pull off recording an album that contains both a genre-defying acid journey like "Tomorrow Never Knows," and full-on children's song like "Yellow Submarine," but that's exactly what the Beatles pulled off on their 1966 album Revolver. In needing a customary Ringo track, Paul, with help from John (as well as Donovan), managed to come up with the perfect vehicle for Ringo's "jovial uncle" persona, while also creating a song that embodied the youthful side of psychedelia and at the same time, a vehicle for ongoing multi-generational fandom. "Yellow Submarine" envisions a utopia where we can all be happy and carefree, and that's one of the best things The Beatles have been able to provide in their legacy. Of course, it's also the springboard for the classic animated film and merchandise mega-product of same name.

Joining us this week to talk what might be the ultimate pop children's song is Scott Durbin, progenitor and keyboardist for children' rock band Imagination Movers! Of course, it only seemed appropriate to also bring back the Movers' drummer, and friend of the pod, Kyle Melancon to join in. We talk about a number of topics, from the Movers' recent songwriting award nominations, their work on their Disney Channel show, what makes children's music work, coming to the Beatles late, merchandising, and much more! Follow the Imagination Movers at imaginationmovers.com as they get ready to celebrate their 20th anniversary next year, and check out their super enjoyable most recent album, Happy to Be Here!

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's new official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!

#154 - When I'm 64 with Debbie Davis (singer, Debbie Davis & The Mezmerizers, Oh Crap! It's Christmas) Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Not many bands in history could, within the space of a few days, go from recording the genre-bending "Strawberry Fields Forever" to the genre-specific "When I'm 64." Then again, not many bands are...The Beatles. Written by Paul at the ripe old age of FOURTEEN, and frequently utilized as a way to kill time when stage power blew at the Casbah or Cavern Club, this jazzy, music hall number may seem worlds apart from the preceding "Within You Without You," but on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Beatles establish the fact that in music and art, there are no rules. Much like "Your Mother Should Know," it's almost punk rock to put a song like this on such a major album. It's delivered with no hint of irony, and full respect for the music of the time it seems to be pulled from. That's how a song like this ends up as a standard, all these years later.

Joining us this week for the second time is jazz singer and all around badass, Debbie Davis! One of the premier jazz vocalists in New Orleans, Debbie joins us to talk the through line between jazz and the Beatles, the pop landscape of 66, how to raise a cool kid who's into rock music, and much more! As the world opens up, be sure to follow Debbie to see when you can catch her live, or check out her records. All available at debbiedavismusic.com.

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's new official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!

#155 - I Want To Tell You CROSSOVER - El Vinilo Returns! Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

By 1966, The Beatles, particular George Harrison, are growing in all sorts of ways. George is living out the most incredible life experiences, immersing himself in eastern religion and culture, and truly blossoming as a songwriter. For the first time, he gets three songs on the band's new album Revolver, and on "I Want To Tell You", he's letting the listener know that there's so much he's seen and learned that he wants to relay, only, he can't find the right way to do it. The frustration turns into music as dissonant chords echo the feeling of hanging one's head against the wall. And this isn't just a fab gear pop rock song. It's a song with pounding piano, a glitchy guitar riff, and melodically oozing the influence of the Indian music he's now studying under Ravi Shankar. It's a real inclusion of eastern music and western pop, and it's the last time we hear George writing as a guitarist for the next year and a half or so. A song with this much going for it is destined to be a stand out on any album in any band's catalog, right? Right?

Bad news this week: Julia's M.I.A. for the first time in RTB history. So I understand if you Julia Stans are like, "nah, see you next week, pal." But the good news....our friends Matt, Adam, and Grace from El Vinilo return to the show this week! All the way from across the pond in Liverpool, our old pod pals return to talk about George and his underdog story, running a podcast based on Rolling Stone's top 100 albums only to have Rolling Stone update those top 100 albums in the middle of your podcast, Liverpool adventures, and more! El Vinilo is one of our favorite podcasts, discussing the albums in Rolling Stone's top 100 list, and comparing them to a current chart topping album. Listen and subscribe to them anywhere you get podcasts, and follow along on Instagram @elvinilo!

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rankingthebeatles, Instagram @rankingthebeatles, or Twitter @rankingbeatles! Be sure to check out RTB's new official website, www.rankingthebeatles.com! Enjoying the show, and wanna show your support? Buy Us A Coffee!

#156 - Tell Me Why with Jude Southerland Kessler (author, The John Lennon Series) Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

By the time The Beatles were writing songs for their first film A Hard Day's Night, John was absolutely on fire. "Tell Me Why," a song he went on to consider as nothing more than a throwaway, was a song he seemed to be able to just toss off with no problem at this point in time, absolutely on top of his game. But what comes off as a perfect slice of early Beatle songcraft may actually have way more meaning than what it seems on the surface, and this meaning may be one that appears way more regularly throughout his writing than we realize. Also, I may have completely blown it on this particular ranking.

Joining us this week is author and historian Jude Southerland Kessler. Jude has been spending decades researching the life of John Lennon for her on-going The John Lennon Series, a 9 volume collection detailing the life of Lennon with more detail and fact based information than any other book. The most recent book, volume 5, "Shades of Life," is now available at johnlennonseries.com or anywhere you buy your Beatles books! We chat with Jude (and avoid saying "hey" as much as possible) about her 30 years of researching John, how a north Louisiana woman got enraptured in his story, songs like "Tell Me Why" being the crux of Lennon's story, adventures with Allan Williams, and so much more!

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