Ranking The Beatles

Latest Episodes:

#187 - Run For Your Life with guest Diana Erickson, co-host of Another Kind of Mind podcast Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

The Beatles kicked off sessions for Rubber Soul with a song John wrote based off a lyric lifted from an Elvis song. It's an interesting case that on a record where they tap into the idea that "the word is 'Love'" but close that record out with "Run For Your Life," perhaps the most aggressive and threatening song Lennon ever wrote. The lyrical content being at odds with all things "fab," it's a shame that a band so known for bringing joy and happiness never took the time to second guess what they were singing about on this track. It's the angrier, scarier version of the possessive side of himself on display later in "Jealous Guy." Disowned by Lennon himself in the 70s, and named as the worst Beatles song by NME Magazine, "Run For Your Life" is the rare severe misstep in the band's catalog. This week we're joined by Diana Erickson, co-host of The Beatles podcast "Another Kind of Mind," a podcast which presents a fresh, well-researched, irreverent, nuanced, and emotionally intelligent analyses of the Beatles’ story. It's one of our favorite Beatle podcasts. We dive deep into the roots of the causes that enable someone to write a song with this kind of message, looking at the the yin and yang of personality that was John Lennon. What of that possessive side? Where does that intense feeling come from for John? We discuss the pros and cons of putting your faults out in the public eye, while also being brave enough to own up to those faults and work to overcome them in that same public forum. We also discuss how the AKOM team decided to shine a new light on the well-worn tale of the band, the complications of relationships and the effects they have, and the mutual upbringing of having no other Beatle-centric friends as a kid. Do yourselves a favor and subscribe to Another Kind of Mind anywhere you listen to podcasts. Join in their deep discussions on their Facebook Discussion Group, FB page, Twitter, Instagram. and Tumblr. And be on the look out for new episodes coming soon! As for us, be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. You can also now follow us on Twitter at @rankingbeatles! Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

#188 Little Child CROSSOVER! with The Oasis Podcast Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

John & Paul often talk about some songs as being "work songs"....tunes they knocked out for other artists, or George and Ringo, or tracks to fill out the album. They often referred to #188, "Little Child," as one of those songs. It's a fairly simple, uptempo rocker intended for Ringo's vocal spotlight on With The Beatles, though John eventually handles the vocal on it. Simple as it may be, it's part of a period where the band starts realizing they're not beholden to the standard pop song arrangement or instrumentation, starting to spread their wings while maintaining a foot steadily in their beat group phase. It's also a remnant of that strange time in music where women are always referred to like young children, which is...yeah, kinda weird. A rocking track though that does it's job on the record.

It takes a certain level of love for a band to devote oneself to a podcast, and we're kicking off season 2 by talking to James C., the host of one of our favs, The Oasis Podcast. Since 2017, James has been chatting with ex-Oasis members, musicians who worked with the band, art directors, video directors, a whole slew of of people who worked with the Britpop giants, while also discussing the on-going solo careers of the Gallaghers and co., giving a much-deserved spotlight to music that, whether we in the states realize or not, was an influential, cultural JUGGERNAUT. There's so much more than just "Wonderwall," folks! We touch of the perfect storm of Oasis coming to the alongside the Beatles Anthology, the joys of a shimmering coda, the pride and love of having YOUR band, and our half-hearted attempts to reach out to the brains behind the music that fuels our respective shows. Be sure to listen and subscribe to The Oasis Podcast at any podcast provider of your choice, and follow along with James on Twitter @oasispodcast. Additionally, he hosts the 1001 Albums podcast, based on the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die." Check them out!

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. You can also now follow us on Twitter at @rankingbeatles! Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

#190 There's A Place & #189 Devil In Her Heart - Ranking & year-end wrap up with Jonathan & Julia Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

One of the great things this podcast has given over so far is a chance to re-examine songs you've heard hundreds of times. Through that, "There's A Place" revealed itself to be the roots of the introspective and sensitive Lennon who goes on the bring us songs like "Nowhere Man," "Strawberry Fields Forever," all the way to "Watching The Wheels." And it's brave as hell to put a song that low-key is commentary on mental health on your debut album in 1963, a time when those things weren't really discussed. But this is maybe the first time the Beatles become a band that people could connect to through song on a mental/emotional level, in that "this song gets me" kind of way.

On the flip, "Devil In Her Heart" shows the band finding material that no one else was playing or listening to, standing out among the other bands in Liverpool with more interesting choices and songs. They really connect on girl-group songs, and this song is no different. An overlooked, under-appreciated tune which, due to this podcast, finally led us to the original version, which rules!

This week, we elected to have no guest, and take a look back at the first season of our show. Jonathan and Julia chat about what they've learned and what's surprised them about this deep dive into the Fabs catalog, feeling conflicted about past rankings (and a couple of future ones), and touch briefly on what's to come in the new year. 2020 has been pretty awful, but doing this podcast has been the real highlight for us, so thank you all for joining us this season! Season 2 starts up in January!

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

CROSSOVER! Ranking The Beatles Christmas Fan Club Releases with 12 Songs of Christmas Podcast Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

Every holiday season from 1963-1969, members of the Official Beatles Fan Club would receive a special present from the Fab Four: a limited edition, fan-club-only flexidisc record, made just for them. What started out as a brilliant turn of PR, scripted to strengthen the appeal and bond between band and fan turned into an outlet for the boys to create whimsey and weirdness without consideration of commerciality. As they got turned on, so did the Christmas records. Bringing in elements of their beloved Goon Shows, pantomime and theatre, avant garde sound collages, the band turned in increasingly creative, then increasingly distant records every year, providing a fascinating glimpse into their trajectory throughout their career.

To discuss this curio in the catalog, we teamed up for this crossover episode with Christmas music fanatic, previous guest, and host of the 12 Songs of Christmas Podcast, Alex Rawls. For several years now, in addition to his regular music website, My Spilt Milk, he devotes the end of the year to discussing Christmas music old and new, it's place in the zeitgeist and the relationship we have it. It's a fantastic podcast we highly recommend subscribing to.

If you want to dive deeper into the Beatles Christmas discs, they're pretty easy to find on Youtube. They reissued them in a 7" boxset in 2017, which can still be purchased should you love them and decide to add them to your collection.

Also featured in this episode is The Breton Sound's cover of "Wonderful Christmastime," which you can stream on all streaming sites, or download on iTunes if you really want it, and The Fab Four's "Tomorrow Never Knows"-ish cover of "Jingle Bells," which is absolutely a blast. They have a Christmas album called HARK!, all holiday songs done in Beatles-style, and it's a hoot. Highly recommend.

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

#191 - Maggie Mae with Bruce Spizer (Beatles historian and author) Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

At the onset of the Get Back/Let It Be project, John had a dilemma: he was short on songs. Paul and George had them falling out of their back pockets, but John was...going through some things, and didn't have a ton of material. He looked to the past, as the rest did, to old Lennon/McCartney tunes, rock & roll standards, covers, and old folk songs, like "Maggie Mae," a tale-as-old-as-time story about a prostitute robbing her...John. This tune, with's it's equally odd history, shows up between takes of "Two of Us," a light-hearted jaunt through songs they knew back when, relieving tension, and providing that "fly-on-the-wall" perspective that was the impetus behind the project. It's an enjoyable, if somewhat perplexing inclusion in the catalog.

To somehow get an episode's worth of discussion on this track, we called the man who wrote the book on these sessions...literally. Bruce Spizer has written 10 books on the Beatles, examining everything from their releases on obscure independent record labels to band and solo releases on their own Apple Records, deep dives on their conquering of America, to in-depth analyses on Sgt. Pepper, The White Album, and now, Let It Be. He was the infuriating brain behind the questions on the Beatles' Trivial Pursuit game (10 points if you know what Jet Clipper Defiance is without Googling), and he's a regular speaker at Beatles conventions and events around the world. In addition to the odd history of "Maggie Mae," we touch on growing up as a 1st generation fan, what it takes to write some of the best Beatles books, the twists and turns of the Get Back/Let It Be project, and getting past book-burnout courtesy of an ex-Wings member.

Bruce's new book, "The Beatles Finally Let It Be," is available now! You can get it (autographed and with a SLEW of extra goodies - all of which he outlines in the episode) at his website, Beatle.net. Get it now and you'll be able to get the addendum accompanying the release of the Peter Jackson "Get Back" film next year! We also highly recommend his other books if you're looking for informative deep dives on Beatles topics, packaged in wonderful coffee-table books.

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

#192 - What You're Doing with author Rich Tupica (There Was A Light: The cosmic history of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star) Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

One of the first songs The Beatles worked on for their fourth record, Beatles for Sale, ended up being one of the last ones they finished, and along the way, I argue, the create the blueprint for what becomes power-pop. A catchy, repeating guitar riff on a jangly 12-string, a signature drum part, earnest, powerful, heart-on-the-sleeve vocals, and MELODY MELODY MELODY. "What You're Doing" may not be the high-water mark on the album, but it's impact on bands would be felt for generations to come.

One of those bands who followed that blueprint, and then fine-tuned it themselves was Memphis's Big Star. We're joined this week by author Rich Tupica, who's book "There Was A Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the rise of Big Star"is a brilliantly written bio on Big Star founder Chris Bell, who often gets sidelined in the story for the more well known and cult-worshipped Alex Chilton. Together, Chris and Alex wrote all the material for the band's debut, #1 Record, fashioning themselves as a Lennon-McCartney-style writing team with Chris the embracing the melody and production values of McCartney, and Alex the chaos and immediacy of Lennon. The partnership didn't last, as Chris left after the album came out to no fanfare, fruitlessly pursuing a solo career, while the band forged on, putting out an additional 2 records that sank without much of a trace upon release. Over the years, the Big Star/Chris Bell catalog moved underground, a secret between musicians with a shared love of Beatle-esque pop/rock, until a 90s reunion and on-going resurgence brought the band the acclaim and notoriety that eluded them during their initial run. All 3 of their original albums, #1 Record, Radio City, and Third, rank in Rolling Stone's top 500 Albums of All Time list.

Rich's book can be purchased online or via your local bookstore. We suggest ordering locally if possible, and we can't recommend the book enough. Also, check out Rich's podcast Hanging on the Telephone (long-form phone conversations with creative people) and Inzane Michigan (a dive in the sights and sounds of Michigan).

This episode is a bit longer than usual, but Rich's knowledge of Big Star is impressive, and this music is as important, imho, as Beatles music, and I wanted to give it all the space it deserved. Non-Beatles songs featured in this episode are "In The Street," "Feel," "Septmber Gurls," I'm So Tired," "Thirteen," and "O My Soul" by Big Star, "I Am The Cosmos," and "You And Your Sister" by Chris Bell (the latter featuring Alex Chilton), and "The Letter" by The Boxtops.

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

#194 Back In The U.S.S.R & #193 Why Don't We Do It In The Road w/ John Thomas Griffith (songwriter, guitarist) Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

The White Album is definitely a high water mark for The Beatles. This expansive, now-classic album lifts off with the Chuck Berry-meets-The Beach Boys flavored rocker "Back In The USSR." The rocking Beatles are back from their psychedelic trips, and the gang's all here...except for Ringo, who walked out during the recording of this track. Paul takes over on the drums, adequately, and the original Threetles create a classic Beatles tune. But it's also the first time they look backwards, and it's the first time in a long time we hear them trying to sound like someone else.

Elsewhere, Paul goes with the ol' "first idea-best idea" method with "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?" Ringo's here, but John and George are missing. Could Paul have not had a second idea though? In an increasingly familiar move, Paul creates the track without the input of any other band member, which, they've all done to some extent, but it's starting to stick in the craw of some. But also, like, no other idea besides just the one here?

Joining us this week is guitarist/songwriter/singer/Texas Guitar Hall of Famer John Thomas Griffith. As the lead singer of early MTV stars Red Rockers, he came up in the early 80s punk/new wave scene, scoring a Billboard hit with the song "China," and seeing the world. Then in the 90s as a member of Cowboy Mouth, he saw the world again, and continues to do so today (when not shut down by a pandemic). Having shared the stage with everyone from U2 to Dave Matthews to Kiss to Bo Diddley, he's a rock and roll lifer who's seen and done it all. He's one of my favorite singers as well, and it's all topped off by the fact that he's one of the best dudes on the planet. I don't have a big brother, but if I did, it'd be John Thomas Griffith. We talk about all sorts of things, as fellas who've spent countless hours in a tourbus will do. We touch on writing the kind of songs YOU want to hear as an artist, coming up in the early punk/new wave scene, genre hopping, the weird and messy world of band dynamics, and we maybe even write a hot new blues jam for a new JTG solo album, right here on the show!

Keep up with JTG on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/johnthomasgriffith for his Pandemic Fireside Livestream shows. You can also check out his music on all streaming platforms. Non-Beatles songs featured in this week's episode include "China" and "Another Day" by Red Rockers, "Everybody Loves Jill," "Man On The Run," and "New York City" by John Thomas Griffith, "This Boy," "Everybody Loves Jill," "Follow Me," and "Here I Sit In Prison" by Cowboy Mouth.

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

#195 When I Get Home CROSSOVER with El Vinilo Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

"When I Get Home" is a great example of peak early-period John Lennon. It's a raucous track with interesting harmonies, an amazing vocal delivered with all the attitude and swagger of someone who'd dared to take on the world and won. It's a brutal, rocking punch that found it's way to the second half of the "A Hard Day's Night" album. It's really got nothing going against it, other than it's maybe the most "throwaway" of John's early peak. Well, that, and maybe one of the worst bits of lyric the man every committed to tape. But he sells it and the track wins in the end. **Note** No cows were hurt in the making of this episode.

Joining us this week are the hosts of one of our favorite podcasts, "El Vinilo." Thanks to the internets, we check in with Matt, Adam, and Grace over in that oft-spoken city of Liverpool. Their podcast (one of the favorites in the RTB house) is a look at Rolling Stone Magazine's top 100 albums of all time, and each week they discuss an album and compare it with a new release to see what stands up or stands out. We touch on growing up and discovering The Beatles in Liverpool, The Beatles' influence on worship music, the pros and cons of loving til the cows come home, and how to run a podcast based on a list when the list gets changed well after you start that podcast! Do yourselves a favor and join in their discussions by subscribing to their show, following them on Instagram or Facebook, or picking up some of their wicked merch! (Which reminds me, we should get some RTB march)

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

Send us your HOT TAKES for a chance to be featured in a future episode! Visit anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles, and click on Message. You can do it from your phone or computer, and send us your thoughts on a track we've discussed or any particular thing that you'd like to hear us yammer on about!

#196 Til There Was You with actor/musician Michael Cerveris (The Who's "Tommy", Marvel's AntMan & The Wasp, The Blacklist, The Good Wife) Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

There's always been something about The Beatles that made them really shine on screen. Their charisma and ease on camera seems to come from a rounded appreciation of the arts, including literature and theatre. That they only ever released one cover of a Broadway tune is interesting, especially when you consider it's kind of what got them their shot with George Martin, but that's what happened with "Til There Was You." They really nail it on this song from The Music Man, despite John's own misgivings, thanks to a gorgeous vocal from Paul, and sublime guitar work from George. Given their ease and apparent comfort and draw to acting, one wonders why they didn't dive further into that side of the arts.

Who better to discuss the impact of theatre and literature on The Beatles than with a two-time Tony Award winner? (He's half an EGOT winner too thanks to a Grammy, but who's keeping track?) Actor/musician Michael Cerveris joins us to discuss the impact being raised with an appreciation of multiple forms of the arts creates a well rounded performer, and how The Beatles on-screen magnetism gives their fieldwork a leg up on competitors like Elvis. We also discuss Michael getting advice from Sir George Martin on how to handle Roger Daltry's vocal parts when he starred as Tommy in The Who's Broadway version of the famous rock opera (while under the watchful eye of Pete Townsend no less), college singalongs to Sgt. Pepper with other actor friends, and how playing a musician on TV can actually help you realize that legitimately ARE a musician.

Michael's band Loose Cattle has a brand new single out November 13th, a cover of David Bowie's "Heroes," which you can get at their website and all streaming outlets.

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

#198 Don't Bother Me & #197 Ask Me Why with Jak Locke (Jak Locke Rock Show) & Angie Tusa Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

As a musician, I couldn't ever imagine having the world hear the first song I ever wrote...or have the guts to put that first song on a record that's expected to sell millions of copies. But that's just what happens with #198, George's "Don't Bother Me." It checks all the 60's early rock boxes, all while in a minor key! Impressive? George called it "not a great song," and maybe he's not wrong, but its not awful, and it certainly shows a better beginning than anything I ever wrote. #197, "Ask Me Why," hits a spot I love: Early John drawing inspiration from R&B. This Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-inspired tune finds the band dropping some FANTASTIC 3 part harmony, with some clever lyrics...but does it sound like The Beatles?

This week, we're joined by....another couple! Jak Locke (Jak Locke Rock Show) is a New Orleans-based musician, and Angie Tusa is an accountant, painter, and podcaster....and they're married, just like us! The difference is, SHE's The Beatles nut, and he's the casual fan. We dive into the role The Beatles, their music, and their own interpersonal and romantic relationships have impacted or inspired our own, and how having a partner who provides love and support can enable you to become the best version of yourself, for you AND your partner. We also touch on the being a product of your own record collection, kids being the worst, and Jak and Angie show off a very special piece of memorabilia.

You can check out Jak's new record "Loud As Me," along with all his music from various bands at www.jaklocke.com and all streaming platforms. The track "Hannah" is featured in this episode, as well as several Beatles covers he's done with various bands. Angie's podcast, Schumacast (A journey through the films of Joel Schumacher) can be heard at https://schumacast.blogspot.com and at various podcast platforms.

Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles) and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

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