Beatle and Solo Non-Love Songs
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Fab and solo songs with themes other than love, romance, etc., can seem more literary, sophisticated, perhaps more complex and cultured, you think? More like poetry, even? Songs such as "Taxman" (was that the first Beatle non-romance song?), "Paperback Writer," "Tomorrow Never Knows," "I Am The Walrus," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," even "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" (like a black humor short story), and George's philosophical spiritually-themed efforts. Can you think of more examples, there are right many, I think. "Yellow Submarine." "Nowhere Man." "Little Willow." "Martha, My Dear" if to Paul's beloved sheepdog and not for a bird. "Put It There" about Paul's daddy, "Let It Be" is about his greatly-missed mother, I think. "Here Today" about Lennon. Those are about different types of love besides romance, and still might be deemed love songs?
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I have heard, but not independently confirmed, that "Nowhere Man" was the first Beatles song not connected with love and romance. This clearly excludes covers, since there's nothing romantic about "Money."
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Bruce M.:
I have heard, but not independently confirmed, that "Nowhere Man" was the first Beatles song not connected with love and romance. This clearly excludes covers, since there's nothing romantic about "Money."
A book I have, 100 Best Beatles Songs, says that Nowhere Man was the first Beatles song (yes, excluding covers) not about love.
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Starting with Pepper, Lennon songs became increasingly introspective & confessional writing in the 1st person, while Macca songs became more story-telling written in the 3rd person. So, there was a movement away from simple "love" songs, even though love would a central theme for both of them .
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JoeySmith:
Starting with Pepper, Lennon songs became increasingly introspective & confessional writing in the 1st person, while Macca songs became more story-telling written in the 3rd person. So, there was a movement away from simple "love" songs, even though love would a central theme for both of them .
Starting with Pepper? Much earlier than that.
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I would venture as early as "There's a Place" - which was co-written at Forthlin Rd. according to The Beatles Bible, but to me bears a stronger Lennon introspective/cerebral stamp.
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I don't really see Help as a love song and that predates Nowhere Man by several months.
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Soft-Hearted Hana:
I would venture as early as "There's a Place" - which was co-written at Forthlin Rd. according to The Beatles Bible, but to me bears a stronger Lennon introspective/cerebral stamp.
Indeed. I'm a Loser, is another one.
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moptops:
Soft-Hearted Hana:
I would venture as early as "There's a Place" - which was co-written at Forthlin Rd. according to The Beatles Bible, but to me bears a stronger Lennon introspective/cerebral stamp.
Indeed. I'm a Loser, is another one.
I would say Help! is the first one, as There's A Place and I'm A Loser both allude to having a lover's quarrel. But in Help!, as John said later, he's literally crying out for help. Although it still seems to be about a relationship.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Fab and solo songs with themes other than love, romance, etc., can seem more literary, sophisticated, perhaps more complex and cultured, you think? More like poetry, even? Songs such as "Taxman" (was that the first Beatle non-romance song?), "Paperback Writer," "Tomorrow Never Knows," "I Am The Walrus," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," even "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" (like a black humor short story), and George's philosophical spiritually-themed efforts. Can you think of more examples, there are right many, I think. "Yellow Submarine." "Nowhere Man." "Little Willow." "Martha, My Dear" if to Paul's beloved sheepdog and not for a bird. "Put It There" about Paul's daddy, "Let It Be" is about his greatly-missed mother, I think. "Here Today" about Lennon. Those are about different types of love besides romance, and still might be deemed love songs?
The Word, on Rubber Soul, was the first that ventured the notion of universal love, rather than romantic love. All You Need is Love continued the theme.
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Yes, I too thought of that song "The Word" and its universal implications
And "All You Need Is Love" -
Nancy R:
Bruce M.:
I have heard, but not independently confirmed, that "Nowhere Man" was the first Beatles song not connected with love and romance. This clearly excludes covers, since there's nothing romantic about "Money."
A book I have, 100 Best Beatles Songs, says that Nowhere Man was the first Beatles song (yes, excluding covers) not about love.
That's interesting. I didnt know that Thanx for the info
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What would the actual percentage ratio be? 99.9% to .1% Or, some other ratio? Those horrible Beatles who only sang about Love and Higher Love well over half of the time.
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Savoy Truffle The love of sweet treats! Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds Love of Lucy.
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Love Is Thee Answer...Period "You Can't Do That" is probably one of the earliest. I guess there was a touch of romance in it although!
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SurSteven:
Love Is Thee Answer...Period "You Can't Do That" is probably one of the earliest. I guess there was a touch of romance in it although!
When they say "Love" songs they mean relationship songs (love/hate etc) of which "You Can't Do That" clearly is one.
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Strawberry Fields Forever Glass Onion Across The Universe Sexy Sadie
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Nancy R:
SurSteven:
Love Is Thee Answer...Period "You Can't Do That" is probably one of the earliest. I guess there was a touch of romance in it although!
When they say "Love" songs they mean relationship songs (love/hate etc) of which "You Can't Do That" clearly is one.
I agree...but, there doesn't seem to be a "whole lotta' love" in the song
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SurSteven:
Nancy R:
SurSteven:
Love Is Thee Answer...Period "You Can't Do That" is probably one of the earliest. I guess there was a touch of romance in it although!
When they say "Love" songs they mean relationship songs (love/hate etc) of which "You Can't Do That" clearly is one.
I agree...but, there doesn't seem to be a "whole lotta' love" in the song
In the context of the original question in this thread, it's a love song, but certainly not in the traditional sense, in my opinion. I think about those radio stations that would play "love songs... nothing but love songs," and you would never hear anything with this kind of hard-edged instrumentation and vocals, plus lyrics dripping with jealousy and threats. I could see a song with this kind of situation being a "love song" if the singer showed regret for what he's saying and doing ("Six O'Clock," "Jealous Guy"), or if the song were from the perspective of the other person, the one who's been let down and left flat, but still, the musical backing would have to be gentler than this. Just my two cents!
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A Day In The Life Sun King Hey Bulldog Get Back Still thinking...
