I love how the younger generations are finally understanding the BEATLES!! They have nothing like this now! Long live THE BEATLES!!!!!!!!

Someone once said the Beatles were both the most *commercial* group in the world AND the most *experimental* group in the world. So true!

Paul wrote the lyrics to Elenor Rigby. He also played the guitar solo in Taxman.

L33: You really will be well served to do this entire album. Every single song a timeless classic. And this was a great reaction.

What always astounds me is how young (mid-twenties) the Beatles were when they wrote these songs...so profound at such a young age! Paul wrote the lyrics to Eleanor Rigby!

George wrote Taxman after realizing that now the Beatles were making a lot of money, they were being taxed 95% of their income. “Should five percent appear too small, be thankful I don’t take it all.” What I like about Eleanor Rigby is that we are introduced to two “lonely” individuals each occupying his own verse, whose paths cross in the third.

I will never be able to comprehend how four working and middle class kids from Liverpool without formal music training or the ability to read sheet music went from performing 50's covers in front of prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers, drunks and students in Hamburg to composing and recording such masterpieces just four years later. It's just not possible. And yet it is.

Eleanor Rigby was Paul's voice as lead. A trained Beatles ear can tell.

“The Beatles are from the future!” Revolver is a masterpiece

One of my favorite Beatles stories was Paul telling back when he and John were just beginning to write their own songs. Paul said that one December evening he and John were walking through his neighborhood heading to his house for a writing session. Paul said they finished up close to midnight, and he decided to walk John back home. On the way back, they passed by a house when John said “Man, do you see those people over there still outside playing cards at this hour” ? Paul said he looked over and saw a nativity scene set up outside the house John was looking at. Since John was virtually blind without his glasses (and refused to wear them), he thought there were a group of card players outside this house that hadn’t moved for the several hours since they had passed them by earlier. Paul said he cracked up laughing and never forgot it.

No matter what anyone say about Ringo, John, Paul, and George Trusted and Loved Him. That’s enough for me. I personally think Ringo was amazing to play each Song to fit THAT particular Song. I’m 71 and am enjoying your fresh take on the Beatles. 🙏 For your job situation…

Those lyrics to Eleanor Rigby... there is nothing happy about them. Every line is grim and doesn't lead to anywhere except the next grim line. A truly masterful piece of songwriting. And George Martin's string arrangement underscores it all. Wonderful.

Rubber Soul was a big step out of the world of 'the early Beatles' and Revolver was them going in a very different direction. And it was kind of a reflection of what was going on in society back then. A very revolutionary album. If you listen from first song to last, the variety of song styles is insane, especailly for 1966. The next song is 'I'm Only Sleeping' a great one by John and completely different from these two. That's followed by George's 'Love You To', which is a huge departure from anything they (or any other rock band) had ever done. Then 'Paul's 'Here, There and Everywhere', an incredilbe ballad considered by many (including me) to be one of their very best. The vocals, the harmonies, just amazing. And on and on... What an incredible album. And it's finished off with a song you already looked at, 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. I was six when this came out and was a Beatles nut, but I had no clue of how different it was. The music scene back then was so good, so diverse, and ever-changing, and for me as a first grader it just all seemed normal. I had no clue how incredible that era was, as far as I knew it was just the way things always were! 1966 - what a year for music. You could do a HUGE number of reactions just on great songs from that year alone.

"Blistering" I've never heard that solo described as that but it's a perfect description.

After 50 years of listening to this band I have come to the conclusion that Paul is a criminally underrated bassist. On another note: one of life’s hardest truths is “Until one learns to truly receive pain, one cannot truly receive love.”-Larry Crabb

When the Beatles got home from their first tour in the U.S. a reporter asked John how he found America. John said we just turned left when we got to Greenland.

George wrote and sang Taxman, Paul wrote and sang Eleonor Rigby. thanks for the Beatles reactions.

I don't usually leave comments, but this is easily the most sensitive and authentic reaction video I've seen! Keep on going man, from a fellow, sensitive creative!!

The Beatles were ahead of their time The quality of their music is mind blowing

Name a band ever, who is this diverse, but not only diverse but at such opposite ends, and with such quality. You mentioned it big man, this band gets you thinking deep, that's part of the power of The Beatles.

Happinnes is a warm gun. Another banger from John.

I am happy to say I was young when this first came out, and love The Beatles to this day!

“Eleanor Rigby” was Paul's song. You could probably tell that was his voice on the lead vocal, and that's generally a good indication who the principle songwriter was. “Taxman” was George's song with him on the lead vocal. George Martin, the Beatles’ longtime producer probably did the string arrangement for “Eleanor Rigby.”

58 years later and these tunes sound as fresh as ever.

when it first came out Eleanor Rigby was so original it blew peoples' minds. Not only the subject matter but it was just Paul and some strings but you knew it was still The Beatles

It's really good to see you getting turned onto the Beatles! May I suggest that you listen to the Paperback Writer/Rain single once you've finished the album? Here in the UK, The Beatles generally followed their own personal policy of not putting their singles onto forthcoming albums like any other band of the era would. As such, most of their best selling hits were never on an album together until compilations were made after they broke up. You might easily miss them if you're only looking at their studio albums. Either way, glad you're having a fun time so far!

Young Paul wrote she’s leaving home which is so beautiful and hard to believe a band would write such song, amazing. Also, a huge popular rock band writing a children’s song and have it be a hit-yellow submarine and octopus garden

Eventually you’ll love them all, Lee. I’m sure. They ruled the world for eight years. Yes finish Revolver! I’m glad I listened to the end. This is a very historically important album. And as it’s The Beatles, you know that is absolutely true ❤

Yes! Go through the rest of Revolver. Ground breaking, revolutionary album. And it simply warms the cockles of my heart to see and hear a bright young man such as yourself really enjoy the Beatles and recognize their greatness. Their amazing output in just a few short years is stunning, mind boggling.

Paul said in an interview, ‘Ringo was the engine that drove the Beatles.’ Your reactions are great. Take care.

McCartney is a MONSTER bass player, and smokes the solo on this song as well. These guys are one of a kind. So unique musically, and have the chops to back it up always in all ways …

That was McCartney on bass and that awesome lead guitar solo. Love it.

Paul McCartney OWNS on Taxman!! His Bass line is SICK!

A lot of younger people have no idea just how great and ahead of their time The Beatles were . The Beatles laid the groundwork for so many other bands to follow . Great to see you doing these videos.

yes I am loving the commentary on younger generations of the greatest, most talented band ever. Thank you for listening to the Beatles because this is really instructional for young musicians. I love to hear young musicians commentaries on the Beatles also. No as other comments have said, Paul wrote this song. Paul wrote the lyrics and everything and it was George Martin who put on the string arrangement since he was classically trained. This is widely known so you can research that.

The Beatles were simultaneously the best at what they did and the most popular and then after 7 years they got out while they were still on top. Even their exit was amazing.

I bought The Beatles album Revolver, on the Capitol Records Rainbow label, new in 1966 when I was 9 years old. I still have it and it still sounds and looks like new. And while many other artists records wound up as cut out corner cheapies, The Beatles records never were. Let me tell you, The Beatles will last forever................But never in the budget bins.

The Beatles are the best. Great rendition.

Rain and Paperback Writer. two more great Beatles songs to hear for the first time.

The fact that Eleanor Rigby is almost 60 years old and is probably more relevant today than it was then, even with all this social media shows how despite all our gadgets nothing essential inside us has changed.

Great guitar solo by Paul on Taxman.

The Revolver era began with the release of “Paperback Writer”, a song of Paul’s backed by “Rain” a song by John. The latter “Rain” was John first toe dip into what would become Psychedelic Rock. Neither appeared on the record and they only ever performed Paperback Writer live from this era. The Double “A” side single Yellow Submarine/Elenor Rigby was released directly from the album which was something that was really never done in those days.

I had the great honor to grow up with this amazing music. Everything about their music was fresh and new and, most importantly, thought provoking! Such a mesh of genius minds is unlikely but we were blessed with it. I will carry it with me. I will never forget it. I will never “get over” John Lennon’s senseless murder. Never. 🌺✌️

What astounds me is the amount of great music they created in there last 5 years as a band starting with Rubber soul.

To me, Paul McCartney is the star musician in _George Harrison's_ song Taxman. I mean, George wrote it & sang it & added rhythm cords, but Paul provided that dominant bass line throughout & then played that 'blistering' lead guitar solo on this song. It seemed to me that during this period, Paul did his most impressive contributions on both bass and vocals when he was contributing to John's & George's songs, more so than on his own songs...

Yes Saturday. Beatles Sunday. You're really doing it right. You have to do Revolver as an album. Keep going...

You really know how to express yourself and your feelings, a lot of people find that hard. Love my Beatles! I saw them on Ed Sullivan in 1964 when I was 10, and they forever changed my life. I've seen Paul live three times and Ringo about 5. They were both the best, needless to say!

DUDE! You are rockin these reaction videos. Don't sweat it if you're an introvert. I am too. Keep a few close friends around you. Quality over quantity!

I was 7 years old when I actually bought this album, about 2 weeks after it hit the States.Trying to play Paul's blistering guitar was my first real guitar riff I tried😂🔥🤘✌

Hey man ...just wanted to let you know that as a 67 y/o ... TODAY actually (Jan27/57/1957/2024) ..I really enjoyed your genuine reaction to Taxman & Eleanor Rigby ....I'm old Nf to have actually seen The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show on TV live broadcast. I was 7.... and as a deephard Beatles head I just want to say that I really appreciate your generation listening to & discovering The Beatles, and your heartfelt & very genuine reflections / and sharing your insights, are quite appreciated by old school guys like me. Much appreciated.

Although this is very much George’s song it’s Paul who plays the guitar solo and if you listen closely you will hear that the guitar work at the end is just a repeat of this superb guitar solo . Sheer genius , most of us bought Revolver on its release date and hearing Taxman as the opening track was sensational . The last track Tomorrow Never Knows came as a complete surprise to us all as it was music that nobody had ever heard before and it met mixed reactions from Beatles fans but it was a taste of things to come and the introduction to Psychedelic music . Trailblazers

Yes, finish Revolver!! Awesome journey in discovering the Beatles!! The BEST!!

re Eleanor Rigby. I interpret this as an anti-war song, addressing the many women growing old alone. As a child, I met these women. By the mid-1960's, they were old. An excerpt from Virginia Nicholson's book “Singled Out”, page 25: In 1917 the senior mistress of Bournemouth High School for Girls stood up in front of the assembled sixth form (16..18 yo), nearly all of whom were dressed for morning for a member of their family and said to them: _‘I have come to tell you a terrible truth. Only 1 in 10 of you girls can hope to marry. This is not a guess; it is a statistical fact. Nearly all the men who might have married you have been killed. You will have to make your way in the world as best you can - the war has made more openings for women then there were before, but there will still be a lot of prejudice. You will have to fight - you will have to struggle.’_ One of her pupils 17 year old Rosamund Essex was never to forget these words. _‘It was one of the most faithful statements of my life.’_ When Rosamond, who never married, wrote her memoirs 60 years later she accepted that the teacher’s pronouncements had been prophetic: _'How right she was. Only one out of every 10 of my friends has ever married. Quite simply, there was no one available.'_ How nice it is to live in a society unravaged by great conflict. This happened again after World War Two; the damage took about 30 years to rebuild but many young women were again lost, cast adrift without partners. This is an anti-war song (set in the UK about 1966). The Yellow Submarine movie is about war, showing in Liverpool bombed out buildings, a motor cyclist crying where a house once stood (who died there?) and ladies dressed in a dated manner, keeping each other company. I lament the empty, often cold lives spent in poverty of - the Casey sisters, the Beales' sisters, the spinster all alone 5 doors away and my mother's other sad friends, who's names I do not know. Lovely songs...

Excellent! - The Beatles Sunday is a perfect idea!

Songs had to be under 3 minutes to get played on the radio back then. That's why early Beatles tunes were so short

The Beatles opened the door for pop music to be more than it had been up to that point. George wrote and sand Taxman, Paul played the solo. Eleanor Rigby was.mostly written by Paul. Until sometime in the 80s the top tax rate in Great Britain was 95%. I lean left but I don't any reason to take more than half of what someone makes in taxes. Many famous musicians became tax exiles (licing in rentals in other countries) to avaoid the high tax.

My older sister then and until this day is a huge Beatles fan ,so when I first heard "Eleanor Rigby" it freaked me out because I took the line "Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door" literally...I was 5 back in 1966 but also a big fan

That run of albums from Rubber Soul through to Abbey Road,and I definitely include Magical Mystery Tour,were absolute masterpieces and essential listening for serious music fanatics like me.

String quartet arranged by Geo. Martin. He was such a valuable weapon in the recording process.

Another treasure that takes me back to 1980 recording albums off the radio. I own KMEL FM a lot for introducing me to the artists of many songs I had heard before throughout my youth but never knew who performed them.

Paul has given credit to John as cowriter but people who were present during the sessions saw George and Ringo significantly contributing ideas and lyrics.

What an album! 🤩

Paul was 23 years old when he wrote this. There are others - she’s leaving home- comes to mind as particularly insightful

It is interesting that Paul and George interchanged their usual roles in Taxman -Paul on lead guitar, George on bass- and both did an amazing work!

Paul played the 'blistering' guitar solo on 'Taxman.' Taxman' was written by George.

Paul wrote "Eleanor Rigby". He also played the guitar solo on "Taxman". Make sure you listen to the British version of Revolver.

So glad you appreciate Ringo´s work in the Beatles, he is a vital part of the bands sound world. And, my friend, go for relations however painful it sometimes can be. When you get older, starting to add up your life, that´s what really counts - career, money, property is nothing in comparison.

Glad to see you 'get it'. Loved the Beatles my whole life.

Crazy to think they released 3 albums, Help, Rubber soul and Revolver in one calender year.

Great reaction, and I like your feedback. I agree that Eleanor Rigby hits pretty deep. I believe the song was written by Paul. Thanks for for your reaction to these songs.

George Martin was considered the 5th Beatle as a producer and arranger in the studio. He was a genius at writing strings and stuff. The Beatles were crazy with ideas for doing things that had never been done before, and this old suit&tie guy embraced what they were trying to achieve. He played the classical piano break for "In My Life". "Penny Lane" is another musical masterpiece with a piccolo trumpet playing the lead break.

You wonder where we’re all going but it’s obvious you are on your own journey to build your soul, as we all are. And you Are doing it through music and the lovely community you are building through your channel

The way I understand it is that Ringo Starr’s beats “drove” The Beatles and the rest of the members followed Starr’s lead.

Here in Seattle, every Sunday, our local classic rock station, KZOK has a "Breakfast With the Beatles". Nice to have this added to my Sunday routine of Beatles music. I'm with ya, Lee!

You are a beautiful soul young man...stay soft and strong.. intuition and heart will guide you...🙏🧡

Listening to you talking about Ringo's drumming reminded me of a quote one time (I think it was John) where someone said "He (Ringo) wasn't even the best drummer in the band."

If you want a heavier sound there's an Aussie band called Zoot that did a cover of "Eleanor Rigby" it's in b/w it's that old Zoot had in it Rick Springfield, who went to the US and had a hit with "Jesse's Girl" and Beeb Birtles who went on to found Little River Band.

Good take. It's almost as if we created more obstacles- in tech devices and social media- to distance ourselves from one another even more. I was seven in 1970. The type of social interaction we had back then would emotionally cripple a child of the same age today. We've gone backwards somehow. There seemed to be a million kids on the street that I grew up in, and all playing games already established and some that were invented on the spot. We looked out for each other. It was a working, lower-middle-class neighborhood that became a real organism- a community that provided safety, freedom, and a whole bunch of laughs. Hard to say this, but you probably wont see that again. ,

One of the cool things about the Beatles is they made the transition between Minero to stereo and one of the things we used to do as kids I’m 73 now was we take one speaker and turn it off and listen to the right side or listen to the left side and you hear things that you don’t hear when they’re both playing, so give that a try and see what you think.

Accolades are thrown around to persons in every art form sometimes deserved sometimes not...but these guys dessrved much praise... they were so great

You seem very thoughtful. Unlike many reactors, you take the time and make the effort to delve deeply into the music, and I want you to know it is appreciated. Keep that mind of yours open and alert. Also, a word on Taxman.. in England, the Beatles were hugely important to that country's economy. This cannot be overstated. And they surely knew it.

Another awesome video man🙏You've got a wise head on your young shoulders. I'm with you 100 percent too. And Eleanor Rigby, I wasn't around then but apparently the shock when THAT came out. It, again, was just so different to anything else, not only by anyone else but by them! They just constantly broke stereotypes and changed how music should be performed and listened to. I wish I was there! But it took me listening to them again in my 20s to realise how incredible they really were. Keep rolling man!🙏

Beatle music always carries a familiar feel because they were masters of taking what was around and twisting it to fit their sound, Taxman for instance, if you listen close you'll hear the 1966 Batman tv theme, or Eleanor Rigbys striking string arrangement which was the result of their producer/string arranger coming to the studio after watching Psycho the night before, very clever guys

Thank you for sharing video. I’m glad you’re listening to the Beatles John Paul George Ringo, two guitar players bass player, one drummer but get this. They all play every instrument and they all sing. They are masters they were out there just having fun didn’t realize that they were way ahead of the ball game, when it came down to recording in the studio, they were always messing around with the tracks and next thing bingo invented something for the first time😂-👏🏼👏🏼

The Beatles were VERY influenced by the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" on this album, which had come out just before it. A lot of the harmonies on "Revolver" were directly influenced by Brian Wilson's work on that album.

George wrote and did the lead vocals on "Taxman" with Paul playing the lead solo on that track. And Paul wrote and sang lead on "Eleanor Rigby".

"Revolver" was my first Beatles record when I was 12yo. That A-side 1st track "Taxman" hit me like a sledgehammer*...I knew from listening to a friend's earlier 45s that their harmonies were to die for, but this song just blew my mind. For years I thought Lennon sang it--he and Harrison have such similar timbre. But nope. It was George, singing on an especially good day. *"TNK," final track, also blew my mind. Sure, I was a wee pre-ad...but it still does.

Great songs. Eleanor Rigby was covered by Australian band 'Zoot' back in 1971. Paul McCartney was driving one day and Zoot's version came on radio. Paul said it is the best cover of any Beatles song he had ever heard.

Rigby is great example of Paul’s storytelling ability. Taxman is one of the best first songs on an album ever. Rubber Soul (previous album) and Revolver were a sea change in music but within the Beatles as well. It was the transition from “yeah, yeah, yeah” to more serious pursuits. It’s chronologically the middle of their album run but it is truly the unique middle of their artistic output. You’ve heard Abbey Road. Now go listen to Please, Please Me and then you will better understand Rubber Soul and Revolver. These two albums were a stand alone period. Dig your thoughts.

Just for clarity. Taxman is George Harrison's song. Eleanor Rigby is Paul McCartney. Paul actually played the guitar solo in Taxman, as well as his awseome bass lines. Just another couple of masterpieces. Normal for The Beatles.

LOVE your reaction Lee, very insightful. This is coming from a Beatles fan who was 16/17 years old in 1964 when they first came to the U.S. in February of that year. Ardent fan since then. Their music and everything about them, have helped me through my life, especially during some dark times. Conversely, they also provided so much FUN, JOY and happiness. Their music is so diverse and had something for every mood you might have, or whatever you might be going through in your life. ENJOY your journey through the Beatles. You will never be bored

I grew up with the Beatles. I saw them in concert 66' at Dodger stadium. Their songs are singable and unique. No one song sounds like another. I had a Beatle wig and boots! Boomers had the best music growing up.

Wish I could experience the Beatles again for the first time! I remember as a kid hoping for a reunion tour - then John got shot and it was a rude awakening to the ways of the world.

It is less that people have been copying them all these years and more a case of them (with Martin + engineers) laying down the formulas that all descendant rock genres have branched off from and evolved. I was also born to be on my own island. I feel what you said here. They meant a ton to me when I was first introduced to them as a young child (Gen X) and of course, Ringo inspired me to be a drummer. I'm glad they are still touching the hearts of newer generations.

Revolver is my favorite Beatles album. When it first came out, I listened to it over & over. Thanks for playing two of the best!

This is literally the first single I bought in 4th grade across the street. They had a pile of old scratched up thrown away 45 that had just been played to death, and none of them had the paper sleeves on them, and so they had this one and all of them had a bit of masking tape on the center label that used the old cent , which I don't see even the extended character set on my phone, laugh, and it was literally one cent each. I got it because we would sing Yellow Submarine on the playground in third grade and when I finally flipped it over and it was so scratchy you could hardly hear it but the intensity of it came through. And has a little kid, I was freaked out by lyrics like, Eleanor Rigby who keeps her face in a jar by the door. And then of course the funeral and nobody came and father Mackenzie is darning his socks alone and it's just a song about loneliness, and then the strains get even more biting near the end and it just reminded me of death, and it hit me really hard as such a little kid.

There is an interesting origin to the string sound in Eleanor Rigby. Paul and producer George Martin knew that the sound should have strings under it, but couldn't quite figure out what. While they were working on it Paul happened to go see Hitchcock's Psycho which was in theaters at the time. Paul thought that the percussive violins that Bernard Hermann used in the score whenever an attack happened were really interesting. So he went back to Martin who then created the parts for the strings as percussion.

listening to Beatles every Sunday made me think of "Here Comes The Sunday" 😂

I love your profound observations of life! A genuine soul....rare, and to be valued.

Paul wrote the lyrics to Eleanor Rigby. The wonderful strings was the brilliant composer that is George Martin. Soeaking of weird percussions, the clang-clang sound in Maxwell's Silver Hammer was done by Mal Evans hitting a heavy anvil with either a mallet or wrench.