Paul's Most Psychedelic Songs
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I was speaking with a fellow Beatles fan recently about some of the band's more surreal, ephemeral songs when he pointed out that most of them were by John Lennon (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Strawberry Fields, Across the Universe, etc). Of course, he's one of many that subscribe to the misnomer that John was responsible for most of the Beatles best and most creative material. Nonetheless, I'm ashamed to admit that at the time I was experiencing something of a mental block and couldn't come up with any examples beyond Penny Lane and Lovely Rita, which fell a bit flat next to songs like Tomorrow Never Knows and solo works like Dream #9. While I knew Paul was obviously experimental in his own right (especially since both the Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour projects were spearheaded by him), I thought this was a great opportunity to throw it back to all of you!
What would you consider to be Paul's most psychedelic songs? Where did he use vocal distortion and other such effects that match up with those by John that I mentioned above? (feel free to include both Beatles and solo songs) Just to kick things off, I didn't want to miss a chance to mention Mr. Bellamy, particularly the mid section when the tempo slows and his voice becomes airy and filled with a light echo ("In the delusionary state..."). Love it 
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Since you mentioned Tomorrow Never Knows, the tape loops that run throughout that song are all Paul's creation. Songs like Eleanor Rigby, Fool On The Hill, Magical Mystery Tour, Sgt Pepper come to mind.
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How about Because? Paul's definitely in there, as are the other Beatles. And one from Paul's solo career...Riding Into Jaipur. I'd consider that one psychedelic, although perhaps not to the degree of Lennon's tunes. -Rubber Soul13
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Rubber Soul13:
How about Because? Paul's definitely in there, as are the other Beatles. And one from Paul's career with Wings...Riding Into Jaipur. I'd consider that one psychedelic, although perhaps not to the degree of Lennon's tunes. -Rubber Soul13
"Riding Into Jaipur" is a Wings song? Ya learn something new everyday!
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Ahh, I've mistyped. I had Spirits of Ancient Egypt in my head when I referenced Wings! (I knew that tune was catchy
) But yes, I stand by my choice Riding Into Jaipur by Paul McCartney as being a psychedelic song. -Rubber Soul13 -
Venus and Mars reprise is pretty psychedelic.
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Electric Arguments by The Fireman...all of it!
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Psychedelic songs are not necessarily made by voice changes, it can be through pure words or melody. Fixing A Hole, Fool On The Hill, Tomorrow never knows loops were made by Paul and the eternal intro melody of Strawberry Fields Solo: Let em in, 1985, Cosmically Conscious, How kind of you, Morse Moose. and others some of them mentioned here.
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Eleanor Rigby Fool On The Hill She Came In Through The Bathroom Window Helter Skelter Penny Lane Day In The Life Lovely Rita Fixing A Hole Maxwell's Silver Hammer Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey Hi Hi Hi Band On The Run Darkroom Check My Machine Bogey Wobble Secret Friend Mr Bellamy I think he was mostly off his head when he wrote most of these
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A lot of these songs mentioned don't come close to falling into the category for me. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, yep. Perhaps the ultimate. I think from a solo effort "When We Was Fab" from George recaptured the period very well. Even if it was more a cheeky ode more than anything.
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The demos for songs like "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "I Am the Walrus" were basic ballads. Paul did as much as anyone to turn them into the songs we know today. There is an interview somewhere with John complaining about Paul adding those extra touches to his songs. From what he is saying, if he had his way, some of his songs would have far less of the experimentation for which he is always given credit.
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Cosmically Conscious This One Backwards Traveller Loup (1st Indian On the Moon)
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and Wild Honey Pie too
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Don't let it bring you down!!
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beatlesfanrandy:
Electric Arguments by The Fireman...all of it!
Yes, the whole Fireman project and the Liverpool Sound Collage.
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned Morse Moose & the Grey Goose. Eerie use of synths & images throughout...
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JoeySmith:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Morse Moose & the Grey Goose. Eerie use of synths & images throughout...
Ammar:
Psychedelic songs are not necessarily made by voice changes, it can be through pure words or melody. Fixing A Hole, Fool On The Hill, Tomorrow never knows loops were made by Paul and the eternal intro melody of Strawberry Fields Solo: Let em in, 1985, Cosmically Conscious, How kind of you, Morse Moose. and others some of them mentioned here.
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Pretty Little Head from Press to Play
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Strawberries, Oceans, Ships, Forest is incredibly psychedelic....Definitely all of Rushes, Traveling Light, Lover's In A Dream, Is this Love, Don't Stop Running, Road, Darkroom, Bogey Wobble, Secret Friend, A Day in the Life, Ou Est Le Soliel They all sound trippy in a really good way! My soul's been psychedelicized...
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I want You To Fly
