Rubber Soul

by The Beatles

Overview

While the Beatles still largely stuck to love songs on Rubber Soul, the lyrics represented a quantum leap in terms of thoughtfulness, maturity, and complex ambiguities. Musically, too, it was a substantial leap forward, with intricate folk-rock arrangements that reflected the increasing influence of Dylan and the Byrds. The group and George Martin were also beginning to expand the conventional instrumental parameters of the rock group, using a sitar on "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)," Greek-like guitar lines on "Michelle" and "Girl," fuzz bass on "Think for Yourself," and a piano made to sound like a harpsichord on the instrumental break of "In My Life." While John and Paul were beginning to carve separate songwriting identities at this point, the album is full of great tunes, from "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" and "Michelle" to "Girl," "I'm Looking Through You," "You Won't See Me," "Drive My Car," and "Nowhere Man" (the last of which was the first Beatles song to move beyond romantic themes entirely). George Harrison was also developing into a fine songwriter with his two contributions, "Think for Yourself" and the Byrds-ish "If I Needed Someone." [The 2009 remastered reissue comes with a mini-documentary about the making of the album, as well as expanded liner notes detailing the recording process.] ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	09/09/2009
Label:	Apple Records / Capitol
UPC:	0094638241829
Rank:	1313

Tracks

1. Drive My Car
2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
3. You Won't See Me
4. Nowhere Man
5. Think for Yourself
6. The Word
7. Michelle
8. What Goes On
9. Girl
10. I'm Looking Through You
11. In My Life
12. Wait
13. If I Needed Someone
14. Run for Your Life
15. Rubber Soul Mini-Documentary

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Beatles   Primary Artist
Mal Evans   Guest Artist,Organ (Hammond)
George Martin   Guest Artist,Piano,Harmonium
Paul McCartney   Guitar,Vocals,Fuzz Bass,Lead Guitar,Featured Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background),Piano,Bass
George Harrison   Sitar,Guitar,Vocals,Tambourine,Lead Guitar,Featured Artist,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Ringo Starr   Drums,Hi Hat,Maracas,Tambourine,Drums (Bass),Finger Cymbals,Vox Continental
John Lennon   Vocals,Tambourine,Slide Guitar,Featured Artist,Guitar (Rhythm),Organ (Hammond),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Classical),Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Paul McCartney   Composer
George Harrison   Composer
John Lennon   Composer
George Martin   Producer
Sean Magee   Remastering
Richard Starkey   Composer
Guy Massey   Remastering
Mike Heatley   Liner Notes
Kevin Howlett   Liner Notes
Robert Freeman   Photography
Norman Smith   Engineer
Steve Rooke   Remastering
Sam O'Kell   Remastering
Paul Hicks   Remastering