I think I've listened to this song about 4678 times

Finally some love for Ringo! It's hard to call anything about the Beatles underrated but Ringo's drumming never gets the attention it deserves in my experience

The reason Lennon's voice and the entire song sounds so lugubrious is an interesting story. The song was recorded over five weeks with 45 hours of studio time. Lennon said he liked take 7 and take 26. George Martin told John the two takes were in different keys and tempo. John said, " You can fix it, George. " Using the equipment available at that time, Martin and Geoff Emerick slowed take 26 and sped up take 7 and edited them together. Magically and mystically, it worked. Paul created the iconic Mellotron intro.

Ringo is one of the greatest drummers ever! who else could add so much magic to the Beatles?

The Beatles have the most diverse sounding catalogue of any band you’ll find. They have psychedelia like this one, hard rockers, beautiful ballads, early metal, Indian music, avant garde pieces, pop masterpieces, etc.

All 4 Beatles and George Martin too, contributed greatly to this musical masterpiece. Strawberry Fields Forever is a truly Beautiful piece of music!

Ringo's fill at the beginning of the song just makes the whole song. Very perceptive of you to notice Ringo's uniqueness. People often downplay his drumming because he's not flashy or showing off. I just know as a musician that drummers have the hardest time copying Ringo's drumming. And his parts add so much to the song, almost like a lead instrument (listen to his playing on two of George's songs - Something and Long Long Long).

You have good instincts young fella. Strawberry Field (not Fields) was a children's home that backed onto Lennons house where he lived with his Aunt Mimi. His mother Julia died when he was a teenager having left the young John in Mimis care while she lived a carefree life without him. John would climb the fence into Strawberry Field as a kid and play in the plentiful grounds of the home. So John here is hankering for a return to that sense of innocence he had as a kid playing in Strawberry Field. He's reflecting on those times as an adult with all the hang ups that brings. Especially as a Beatle.

The Beatles did not have long guitar solos, they had very memorable riffs and short solos…. Until ‘The End’, then you get to hear them let loose, sort of 😊. Ringo - unique sound definitely, not many left handed drummers playing right handed drum sets! And very much played to support the songs, not to draw attention to himself.

They have probably one of the most iconic guitar solos on their song “Something”

Nice reaction, Strawberry Fields is actually made from two very different, and separately recorded versions stitched together, because Lennon couldn’t decide which version he preferred. Both versions were in different keys and the the second version was slowed down to match the key of the first and edited onto it. On your video at 4:05 when Lennon sings “let me take you down cos I’m going to” The joining of the two versions is on the word “going” you can hear the whole song change mood, instrumentation and Lennons voice become deeper.

Try to resist getting carried away with the drug references, as many other reactors tend to do. Drugs were not the only thing on musicians' or our minds in the 60's. 'Strawberry Fields' was John Lennon trying to come to terms with his fame, feeling misunderstood, confused, trapped, and longing for the simple refuges of his childhood. The lyrics surely reflect the predicament of a media giant striving to remain a little guy.

The Beatles are the highest form of musical art in my lifetime, 67 and still rocking, they used all instruments to fill out their amazing music besides what you might find in a typical rock band. They do have some killer guitar throughout their career, and could get quite heavy later in their output. Try Helter Skelter, Revolution, Yer Blues, Taxman and She's So Heavy, amaxing, hard rock and blues with metal elements, these guys were square one for so many music genres. Best and most influential musical entity in modern music since the 60s. We lived this music and nice to see the same sense o wonder we did when all these great songs were being released. Enjoy! 🎸🎹♩

I think you need to hear “For No One” and “Here, There and Everywhere” with Paul on lead vocals. Two beautiful songs that might just blow your mind 😊🎶

YASS! Shout out to Ringo. Never liked him when I was younger, but the more I listen to the Beatles? Damn! He is so HEAVY. And quirky. Which is weird, and satisfying. Love this channel. I hope you got a chance to listen to Strawberry Fields the whole way through. To soak in the build. And hopefully high, like I am now🙃

Beatles- “While my guitar gently weeps’

This song is based on Take 7. 26 takes were made for this fantastic masterpiece. The horns session is from Take 26 and each instrument were recorded separately and the flute-like sound is from Mellotron M400 played by Paul McCartney himself.

It was recorded during the "Sgt. Pepper's" sessions but was released as a single with "Penny Lane". Lennon wrote poetry.

Lennon had commented that the words he often used were solely because of their sound within the song, not for their meaning. It lead to people looking for meaning in his lyrics that weren’t there. *during this era.

I'm glad to see you give a shout-out to Ringo. As you say, he definitely doesn't have Bonham's technique, but he had a real knack of thinking outside the box. That kind of off-kilter thing you mentioned comes from him being left-handed player on a right-handed drumset. On this song, just like on A Day In the Life and Come Together, you can hear how he really treats the instrument melodically, and not just for keeping time. I love the way the drums come in each time, with those bouncy, almost breakbeat fills, which eventually settle into the groove. I also used to wonder if there was double-bass drumming on this track, but it's Paul McCartney playing an overdub of a floor tom with two mallets. A pretty cool addition!

MUST HEAR Classics From His Solo Career,, Ringo Starr "It Don't Come Easy" & "Photograph"

The Beatles always had their pulse on whatever the current scene was and had a major hand in creating the 1960s zeitgeist. "Strawberry Field" was a real place; a building and grounds run by The Salvation Army and used as an orphanage when John was a boy. It was located not too far from where he lived with his Aunt Mimi. Every summer, there would be a garden party that Mimi would take John to and enjoy the day. The actual recording was a bit of a challenge. There were several takes done and John decided he liked one version...and part of a completely different version and wanted them put together. Producer George Martin tried to explain to John that they were at different tempos, speeds, you name it. John didn't want to hear it and basically told Martin to figure it out. While George was trying to figure it out, John decided he'd record it again with the other three and some other friends like Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithful and several others. They recorded a faster, hodge-podge of stuff that John presented to George Martin. Martin was flabbergasted; what was he supposed to do with that? True to Martin's professionalism, skill, and open-mindedness, he was able to combine the two different takes by speeding up one and slowing down the other and even managed to use some of John's crazy noise at the end (the sped-up drums and swirling Mellotron as well as some other bits). Keep in mind all this studio work was performed on equipment that would be considered stone-age by today's standards. It really was a lot of work and took a lot of skill. Near the end, if you listen closely, you can hear John saying "cranberry sauce" (this was part of that hodge-podge). Upon hearing that, some people thought John was saying "I buried Paul" and was one of the things conspiracy theorists would point to as proof of the "Paul is dead" craze - but that is a whole other rabbit hole!

Very insightful analysis. I don't always agree with your interpretations, but as a whole you are much more spot on than most reaction channels. You should check out While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness is a Warm Gun, or I Want You/She's so Heavy - for easier on the ears but heavy.

The one thing you have to remember whenever you listen to a Beatles song is they were the first to do everything that you consider commonplace in recording now.... Like this track has reversed cymbals in one channel of the stereo mix. They were the first to do that.. Sergeant Peppers was the first gatefold, the first to have all that degree of sophistication, the first to have the lyrics printed on the sleeve.. Think about that little bit.. Everyone prints their lyrics these days on the CD booklet... Until Sgt Peppers it hadn't been done before... Basically they were SO big they started the business that is know as Music these days. Publishing, writing their own songs, having your own label.... and on and on and on.... Keep on Rocking.

This song was recorded during the studio sessions for "Sgt Pepper", as were several other tracks, i.e., "Penny Lane" and "Fool On A Hill" that also found their way onto "The Magical Mystery Tour" album.

It’s interesting how you picked up on Ringo Starr’s groove. Ringo’s secret: He’s left-handed and plays on a right-handed kit. His left-hand being stronger give additional umph to the snare and makes his fills different because of the extra time it takes to lead with his left. The Beatles rhythm section is left-handed.

thanks for the shout out to Ringo. he's a huge part of what makes this music work. left-handed, of course. all modern drummers should mine his playing.

I’m still hearing little nuances not noticed before on most Beatles songs. I was 9yrs old when Love Me Do dropped,shot to number one and changed everyone’s lives,like the world was suddenly in vivid colour. These fellas are Gods to me.

An extraordinary song , nothing is real. Glad you're listening on headphones.

Gotta listen too Helter Skelter - The Beatles , some people say it's the first heavy metal song.

Great reaction, thank you. The Beatles DO do guitar solos when a guitar solo is appropriate. A lot of bands will stick in a guitar solo because that's "the formula", but The Beatles always seemed to make the music and musicians serve the song, not the other way around. If you want guitar solos, try Taxman or Hey Bulldog, but if you want guitar solos from McCartney, Harrison AND Lennon back to back in one song, try The End from the Abbey Road Album.

The ones that don’t strike your fancy as much upon first listen will later, after multiple listens, be the most unforgettable ones.

The story I heard was that "Strawberry Fields" was the name of an orphanage whose residents John hung with and related to due his own experience of an absentee father and the early death of his mother.

Great reaction. I liked it very much!

George’s While my guitar gently weeps is beautiful…

Ringo is the unsung hero of the song, he was on fire during this era. Try Rain, it’s one of Ringo’s best!

Having listened to this while on LSD, I can confirm your suspicions. You had to be there to truly experience it. I am 71 now and don't take drugs, but the experience lasts forever.

Spot on, I gotta say I just discovered you and your analysis. Absolutely love it!! You really put some intelligent thought into this and I find it entirely refreshing! Keep going young man!!

There was an actual Strawberry Fields in Lenon's childhood where he used to play, a kind of yard of a home for children without families run by the Salvation Army. There's a lot to this song about happy, carefree childhood where there are few worries compared to adulthood worries.

My recommendation: Stop. Go back to beginning and meander your way through their catalog. Their early stuff often gets blown off as just simple pop, and while it's not as innovative as their later stuff (they hadn't yet achieved the massive popularity that allowed them the freedom to break the mold and truly experiment), it's still really really good. Extremely well-crafted. Dynamic. Fun? Plus you get the benefit of experiencing their evolution, instead of merely mentally filing songs into the right era as you come across them. Your unfamiliarity with the Beatles is a rare opportunity. Don't miss out.

Great video, enjoyed your analysis and interpretation of "Strawberry Fields Forever". I also agree that John Lennon was a superb lyricist, one of my favorites of all time. Hope you continue to do more Beatles reactions. I recommend "Helter Skelter", a song infamous for being misinterpreted by Charles Manson in 1969, and directly inspiring the Tate-LaBianca murders.

Easily my favorite Beatles song!

Give "Come Together" a listen. I have no clue what the lyrics mean, but I do like the vibe.

This song was put on Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack album. It's another mind blowing album.

Marvelous song. Very thoughtful reaction. Thanks.

"don't let me down" that's the song you're looking for.

In case nobody has yet mentioned this in the comments, Ringo is left handed playing a right handed kit.

Lennon stated that the verse (No one I think is in my tree, I mean it must be high or low. That is you know you can't tune in but it's alright. That is I think it's not too bad) that because the way he viewed the world he questioned if maybe he was some kind of genius. That's what "It must be high or low" he was thinking about IQ and felt his was higher then most. "No one I think is in my tree" His tree was on a different level. Then he stated that after a few minutes he realized that he wasn't a genius but maybe just saw the world through a different lense than most people. He said that as soon as he got big headed that he would tear his self back down. That's what the "tune in" bit was about. He saw his self as maybe being odd in a way from others but not a genius. You can look this up from his last and probably greatest interview with Playboy magazine which was distributed the first of December just seven days before his death. He really gets into a lot of Beatles songs of his and Paul and George's also. He goes deep into this song, like a few pages in the book. I can't remember if Playboy printed every word but there was a book of the entire interview and may be scarce today because the one that I own is the only one I've ever come across that I got at a yard sale many years ago. John Lennon was a very unique human being and at the very least I would say that he fully qualifies for musical genius status and probably a genius in general. I read only once somewhere that he had his IQ tested at some point and came in at over 160 which would make him a genius but don't quote me on this. We lost one of the all time greats way too early with his tragic murder. He's my all time favorite music artist by a long shot. ☮️✌️💕👌

The Beatles also meditated those times a lot. It was not all or only about drugs.

Subbed for The Beatles. Keep them coming

I think the most exciting thing about the Beatles is when you realise the sheer breadth of what they were doing in such a short period of time. You can quickly get an idea of this by listening to just one or two songs from each year they were active, 1962 to 1969. These would be my picks: 1962 - Love Me Do 1963 - Do You Want to Know a Secret or I Saw Her Standing There 1964 - I Feel Fine or If I Fell 1965 - Day Tripper or Norwegian Wood 1966 - Eleanor Rigby 1967 - The Fool on the Hill or Penny Lane 1968 - Hey Jude or Happiness is a Warm Gun (or Yer Blues, which is a personal fave, since you said you wanted something bluesy lol) 1969 - Here Comes the Sun or Don't Let Me Down

Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane were the first songs they began recording (Dec. 1966) for the Sgt. Pepper album. Because of all the in-studio experimentation, the album was taking much longer than previous albums, hence pressure to release new product, so they gave in and released those two songs as a single. When Sgt. Pepper was released a few months later it did not include them since they saw it as giving you more value by not repeating songs on an album that fans already had bought on singles (or on EPs which were popular especially in the UK during the first half of the 60s). Their next major project was the Magical Mystery Tour film which was broadcast on TV on Boxing day. The songs from that were released on a double EP. Since EPs weren't popular in the US, Capitol records made MMT into an album, padding it out with all the songs that were previously released on singles that year. Thus the Sgt. Pepper and MMT albums contain all of the songs they released in 1967. In 1976, Parlophone finally relented and released MMT in the UK as an album primarily since they weren't pressing EPs and also to counter the demand for imports of the album from the US. Let's not get into the evil that Capitol did by not using the stereo masters for 3 of the songs for the MMT album and instead making horrendous fake stereo versions. Consider yourself lucky for not having to suffer through that.

A fun John Lennon song you will love is "And Your Bird Can Sing". The funny story that goes along with the song is the song was an inspiration to Joe Walsh who years later joined The Eagles. He was obsessed with mastering how McCartney played this. It took him a month or two to master it. Years later he was chatting with Ringo and mentioned how hard it was to play, but that eventually he had mastered it. Ringo burst into laughter and told how it was both Lennon and Harrison were playing in exact sync. They in fact popularized the sound first, here. These days there are many KZfaq tutorials on how to play the guitar parts in "And Your Bird Can Sing" as one person. It is tough but now lots of people can do it.

Syed, You are an excellent reviewer. Your deep dives into the lyrics are spot on, and you hear every thing going on in the music. Keep it up man. I’m a big fan, a 71 year old man who’s been seriously listening to progressive popular music since I was 12 and been making music since then too. Give Strawberry Fields another chance. It is a very important and influential track.

Great analysis my friend. I'm really glad you picked up on the spiritual aspect of this song. That's what it sounds like to me. Lennon seems to have recognised that "our" life and life itself is not real and that we are spiritual beings inhabiting this human body playing out this human role. Thus, nothing is real in this world and everything is perfectly fine no matter what happens to us in this life. Just don't be affected too much by the ups and downs of life because everything is fine when you are present, centred and in touch with your higher consciousness.

There is an amazing story about this song. The first recording of it had been performed in B flat major, while the second recording was in C major. They were almost two different songs which John Lennon couldn't decide which one to use, because he liked them both. He finally told George Martin, their engineer, 'Let's keep the both.'. There was a problem, however, in that not only were the keys different as mentioned above, but the tempos were also different! "No problem, you could do it' John told George Martin. And they did, They sped up the first recording a little and slowed down the second recording a little until they matched perfectly and spliced it together. The result was a 'new' song in A sharp half-major. You could hear where the splice is at 4:10 of your video. Your face showed you noticed it and you said 'Hmm..the music seems to be changing again :) Yes, it changed key and tempo! :) It is highly unusual to do today. You could imagine what it was like 50 + years ago, especially given the relative lack of technical abilities of recording equipment of the time. Edit- Ringo has a unique beat because he is left-handed and plays on a right-handed drum kit! So it takes him a 1/2 beat longer to reach across the set for a downbeat which would be less far for a right-handed drummer. But he has nearly perfect tempo. This allowed the Beatles to record a song 50 or 60 times, and then be able to edit together different parts of numerous takes of the same song for the best possible version. Today an electronic metronome is used for the same purpose, but the Beatles had to depend on Ringo to keep the tempo consistent throughout the dozens of takes of the songs.

This song was released as a single "45" record, side A, with Penny Lane on side B. Later it was added to Magical Mystery Tour

Ringo was a left-hander playing on a right-handed drum kit. That explains his off kilter sound.

Don’t let me down. One of my favorite tracks. Very bluesy.

Strawberry Fields was a (childrens’/convalescent?) home, which adjoined John’s Aunt Mimi’s house in Liverpool where he lived as a teenager and became friends with Paul, and would sometimes go there to play or chill out.

Great reaction gotta check out more beatles❤

This song is pretty special. When I first heard it I was very moved. It reminded me of my state of mind as a child. I had barely ever heard the beatles before but when I played this I think I "Got" it. And indeed Lennon was writing about his childhood.

Come Together is a straight up Chuck Berry cop, turned inside out and upside down, and bluesy as hell. Yer Blues will curl your toes, if it’s blues you’re after. Earlier, mid-period tunes you might dig are Paul’s Paperback Writer, a straight up banger, or Lennon’s Rain, one of the earliest psychedelic tunes. The riff to Hey Bulldog is about as heavy a riff as you’re likely to encounter. Or try the early stuff… I Saw Her Standing There is basically punk 20 years before punk.

I always loved the use of the Pump organ in the beginning!Plus backwards Drums!

There are load of "studio tricks" going on as well. Speeding up/slowing down of tape, backward playback, to name a few. Geo. Martin was the genius behind the genius for sure.

Ok subscribed. I never saw the Beatles but I did see McCartney and Wings in 76. I was 16. My first concert was Zeppelin Houses of the Holy tour 73 Tampa. I moved back to Atlanta the night after Pink Floyd, also Tampa Stadium, Dark Side of the Moon tour. Saw 4 Shows that year and most any band you can think of in that 70s/80s ya got em smoke em time. Enjoying your content. Songs I haven't thought about in years. Awesome... Capt.Bob, SV ( Sailing Vessel ) 27th Chance, Tampa Fl.

Ringo has an interesting style in that he's a left handed drummer playing on a right handed kit. It gives him that "falling down the stairs" kind of sound with his drum fills.

For the song you're looking for -- heavy, bluesy, straight-forward, guitar solo -- check out "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" off of their final recorded album Abbey Road.

Ringo... thank you for noticing! He's a left-handed drummer playing a right handed kit. There are plenty of videos, etc., analyzing his style; but to simplify, his fills are backwards... hence the unusual sound.

The Beatles utilised every style under the sun. Yer Blues: and Don't Let Me Down are Lennon in blues mode. The latter is the most straightforward I'd the two

I admire your insights. As a young hippy who had experienced acid or L.S.D. by the time this came out, & other tunes by other bands, who had also obviously enjoyed the experience too (Small Faces. "Itchycoo Park") they came as anthems for our souls.

Well spotted about Ringo's unique drumming style. He played a right-handed set up, but was actually lert- handed,so you do get fill ins and patterns that sound unique...the perfect drummer for the Beatles. Suggestions...."Oh Darling"...fantastic vocal performance by Paul. "Revolution" great guitarr solo and rifts. "Song for No One".....like a short story in a song. "Come Together".....one of the grooviest sog intros ever. "Something".....George's singing and guitar playing are sublime the perfect love song!

It was a song intended for "Sgt. Pepper's". But as it was released as a single, it was later included on the COMPILATION LP "Magical Mystery Tour". Side 2 of that LP were SINGLES.

The Beatles last performance wa on a rooftop, during the "Let it Be" sessions. Find that video - it is great. They could still be a band.

Ringo's drumming here is so good!

Great reaction

Nice work - an informed, intelligent reaction. Something that is not all that common on KZfaq. Overall, it was an enjoyable video.👍

I know that this reaction is now 5 months old, but I have just watched it. I am amazed that you think that you could listen to music while doing housework, etc. I wouldn't dream of doing that to any artist, even ones I can't stand. Music should in my opinion get your complete attention. No phone, no distractions. Just a good set of headphones or a decent sound system and absorb every bit of it. I suppose that's why music in general and The Beatles and others were so much of a big part of our lives in the 60s and 70s. Such a shame that many people no longer give music the respect it deserves.

As a 65 year old, die hard rock and roll fan that lived through the entire thing I can tell you that the Beatles started out with mainstream pop hits ( I Wanna Hold Your Hand) but as they experimented with LSD they went way off the tracks...Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds was there cryptic message to everyone that they were heavily invested in the perception altered experiences with the drug. I Am the Walrus and Strawberry Fields are two more great examples of how their experiences on LSD shaped their music. Suggestions: Show Biz Kids....Steeley Dan Highway 61 Revisited....Johnny Winter Jackson Browne.....Redneck Friend I'm On the Lamb But I Aint No Sheep......Blue oyster Cult Some awesome musicians with incredible works that never went mainstream, FYI

Glad to see that you listened to the outro. Did you notice someone say “I buried Paul” at the very end?

I remember something about this track where I'm sure it was the drum track was recorded and added backwards. Something like that. Lennon was later interviewed regarding his lyrics, saying that he was fed up with people trying to analyse his lyrics even though they were quite weird to others, meant so much to him. Adding that some later tracks, 'Come Together' and 'I am the Walrus' were done on purpose to throw the analysts off. They didn't mean anything. Except to the fans who love them.

"Magical Mystery Tour" is a COMPILATION album. It combines the recordings for "Magical Mystery Tour" with several singles.

Man, that voice!

Strawberry Fields was a park they grew up by but think of Strawberry fields as needle marks and listen to it with in mind

Check out these Beatle songs. Yer Blues and While my guitar gently weeps. Your not going to find many straight rock songs from the Beatles.

"It doesn't matter much to me" is tied to the prior three lines.

Ringo was a LEFT HANDED drummer on a right handed kit.

I Want You (She's So Heavy) is raw and bluesy. That's what I'm talking about!

Props to Ringo, that’s some brilliant druming.

From their album "Magical Mystery Tour."

Beatles were blown away and influenced by the Beach Boys’ album Pet Sounds with its use of full orchestra and Brian Wilson’s genius. They were in constant competition with each other.

That first "flashback" part was played on a mellotron, a precursor of the synthesiser that played snippets of pre-recorded tape when keys were pressed. It has a wonderful sound and is easily recognised when you get to know it. It was also notoriously difficult to keep in tune - changes in temperature or slight differences in voltage would affect the speed of the tape! As for Ringo's drumming style, the way he set up his drums was unique and that made his playing patterns very unusual. His fills are almost impossible to replicate. And if you want Lennon at his most cynical, you should try some of his solo songs, like "Working Class Hero" or "Gimme Some Truth"!

Check out The Beatles - "L ucy in the S ky with D iamonds" Apparently not inspired by LSD but a child's drawing😁 Or The Beatles- "I want you (she's so heavy)"

Ringo Starkey is 82 years-old. Mccartney is 80. Lennon and Harrison unfortunately are no longer with us. But is so awesome to hear them again ( and appreciated) in 2022.

A couple of more straightforward songs, and rockers too: Ticket to Ride, Day Tripper, Taxman, Come Together (bluesy), I've Got a Feeling, Dig a Pony and Hey Bulldog.

Strawberry Fields was an orphanage near where the Beatles grew up

You cant unhear this had a really interesting video on the edit of this song

At end John was actually randomly saying "cranberry sauce" but since it was slowed down it sounds a little like "I buried Paul". John was often apt utter many non sequiturs, this one probably inspired by this song being recorded right after Christmas and John probably had seasonal treats on his mind

sgt peppermint was the first album recorded in 8 track. 2 4 track machines wired together. down the hall recording their 1st album was Pink Floyd

Re Ringo: a lefty drummer playing a right-handed kit made the the fills special. Plus he hated the idea of overshadowing the vibe. He played to the vocal