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I’m on kind of a Beatles kick after seeing Love in Las Vegas, so I think I’ll plow through all the Beatles albums and post some thoughts. Since the songs are so familiar to me, I’ll rate each from one to five stars, and generate an amusing “Best Beatles Songs” list.

My ratings may seem a bit harsh - but they’re relative to other Beatles songs - two or three star ratings appear often because the four and five star songs are so incredible.

With the Beatles was the group’s second album, and it sported the now-iconic head-shot black and white cover, photographed so they were half lit and half shaded. It’s such a basic idea but one that has been parodied or lifted by countless other photographers and artists.

Overall, the music is similar to Please Please Me, but with a sharper (and I might even say, darker) edge, with about an equal number of covers and Lennon / McCartney originals. The boys were getting ready to stand alone but still needed a bit more practice and work, finding an original voice.

It Won’t Be Long

= 5 stars

I really love this song because it has similar guitar hooks to I Want To Hold Your Hand but a darker and more aggressive vibe, bordering on lust. The wordplay of “be long” and “belong” always made me smile, along with the polished finish of a high falsetto note.

All I’ve Got To Do

= 4 stars

This tune has a healthy dose of longing. The verse finishes nicely, moving from sad wailing to happy conclusion. The lone voice represents loneliness, and when the group vocals chimes in, it lends emotional support to John - all of this is echoed in the lyrics, so I think it’s intentional.

All My Loving

= 5 stars

The driving rhythm and relentless guitar strumming with a sweeping McCartney melody come together in a great song. There’s a great contrasting middle part and a neat guitar solo. This style of upbeat McCartney would only get better with Can’t Buy Me Love.

Don’t Bother Me

= 2 stars

Here’s George with some major / minor noodling and a wailing middle, but unfortunately with all that comes before, his song falls pretty flat. Supposedly it was the first song he ever wrote - unfortunately it shows.

Little Child

= 2 stars

It’s the return of the wailing Lennon harmonica, but this song always bugged me with its somewhat perverse title. I also don’t really care how the line “I’m so sad and lonely” is sung with a slightly mocking tone.

Till There Was You

= 5 stars

A cover, but I give it 5 stars as an example of Paul’s showman, melodramatic side that would soon take over many of his own songs. Even with the goofy pronunciation he’s remarkably (and appropriately) restrained. It also has a great, melodic guitar solo.

Please Mister Postman

= 4 stars

A great cover, originally done by a girl group (The Marvelettes), but the Beatles make it work. The strategy of John as lead singer with Paul and George on backup vocals only gets better and better. What would the email version be, I wonder? “Wait, Mr. Exchange Server”? Doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

Roll Over Beethoven

= 4 stars

This is George’s best song yet, with a note-perfect guitar solo. It’s close to a classic, but since it’s a cover without the Beatles touch, I just can’t give it five stars.

Hold Me Tight

= 3 stars

This tune has a great verse but the middle doesn’t feel quite right to me, especially the lead-in back to the verse which is just a repeat of earlier in the song.

You Really Got A Hold On Me

= 3 stars

A good effort at Smokey Robinson, but covers are feeling a bit superfluous at this point. Still, it has a withering, lustful delivery by John which almost sounds like an aching complaint rather than a love song.

I Wanna Be Your Man

= 2 stars

Here’s Ringo’s song (supposedly once offered to the Rolling Stones) - nice, but I’m not exactly excited or moved by it. You can’t beat Twist and Shout for a straight-forward rocker at this point.

Devil In Her Heart

= 3 stars

This is a cute number sung by George (reminiscent of Do You Want To Know A Secret) but an odd case where the background vocals almost overpower George’s lead. Maybe George’s voice should have been double-tracked the whole way through.

Not A Second Time

= 4 stars

I always detected a strange Asian aspect to this melody, shifting over major and minor chords. I’m also pretty sure I picked up a reference to this tune on the latest Keane album. Anyhow, it’s neat, but that piano middle break just doesn’t do it for me.

Money (That’s What I Want)

= 4 stars

There’s more than a little bit of sarcasm and irony in this song, as the Beatles at this point were getting loaded hand over fist. Luckily, everyone was gaining enough songwriting skills to tackle the subject of money a bit more directly in their own songs - later.

Wikipedia: With The Beatles

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