The Beatles Rubber Soul Revisited

[@thejoin4687]

A great BEATLES album, where all four sound like they're fully engaged and united.

[@williamneillgross3926]

Nowhere Man is the song I’d listen to if I could only hear one song off of Rubber Soul. It’s positive and negative, hopeful yet bordering on despair at the same time. Musically it is dynamic and well stated. Philosophically one can be looking at either a mirror or another human being. How wonderfully complex for a Pop song, and how rare to pull it off so perfectly.

[@novangoghmusicofficial]

I completely agree. It’s a brilliant song with breathtaking vocals.

[@iconicshrubbery]

Funny, that's the song I always skip. Bit of a soul-bearing plodder. A thorough analysis, John and I agree, RS is an upbeat and inspirational album. (Beatles fan since 1972)

[@rodneygriffin7666]

As a young man, I was truly a nowhere man. I'm now 58 years old and I try to tell my younger self that it's going to be alright in the end. I am no longer a nowhere man, but I understand what it's like to be one. ❤

[@williamneillgross3926]

@@rodneygriffin7666 tell him “the world is at your command”

[@jejmoss11]

In recent years, I’ve come to consider Rubber Soul one of their best in the sense that it’s so appealing and adaptable. You can play it at a party, in a car, to a child or just on your own. It’s the best starter album for sure for anybody wanting to get into The Beatles.

[@karstenpost1477]

Help! (UK version) may also be a starting point. I always looked at these albums as twins in their high quality👍🏻

[@allenf.5907]

Not recent years for me - it WAS the change album, and the changes grew exponentially after this. I love BOTH versions' US and UK and wonder if they will put them BOTH together on a box?

[@christopher9152]

As much as I love his work on Rubber soul, I think only "In My Life", "Nowhere Man" (these two for sure) and "Norwegian Wood" (maybe) rank among his very best Beatles-era songs. Whereas in the '66-'67 period he wrote "Tomorrow Never Knows," "Day in the Life," "Strawberry Fields," and "I am the Walrus"--all classic, highly original Lennon songs showing him at the top of his game.

[@LapsangTe]

I have always seen "Rubber Soul" as their first masterpiece. All the albums before were just a collection of songs, while "Rubber Soul" is almost like an early concept album. It feels like an entity.

[@jnagarya519]

But what superior songs anyway!

[@Bobmacca64]

Agreed. A Hard Day's Night in its way is almost perfect but it's nowhere near as deep and well-written as Rubber Soul. Just my opinion.

[@johnmay3010]

So true the harmonies are simply staggering an album that has to played through from start to finish.

[@allenf.5907]

Inspired Brian Wilson to make Pet Sounds.

[@jnagarya519]

@@allenf.5907 If you listen to "The Beach Boys" before "The Beatles" hit the US, you'll find they were all "surfing," cars, and California. It was "The Beatles" that made Wilson aware that California wasn't the entire world; "Pet Sounds" was several LPs later.

[@MrLancy44]

My dad back in the late 70s gave me this album to play on my plastic turntable, i was only 10 years of age. I never stopped listening to it. It still and always will be one of my favourite albums of all time. ❤

[@calebsmith2362]

Rubber Soul has been my favorite Beatles album since the age of seven. I picked the record on the basis of the cover art (and to a lesser extent, the back cover photos as well). Otherwise, knowing very little of the contents within (apart from the given tracks featured on "The Red Album"). Believe it or not, my favorite track back then was "You Won't See Me." My family knew the words and sang along with me so I assumed it was a big hit like most of their songs. But, at that young age, I just couldn't understand why it wasn't included on any of the compilations I had acquired at that point. There was of course "In My Life", which was another one of my favorites I was already familiar with through the aforementioned compilation. To this day, I still believe it's their most underrated record. I later found out that my late friend Byron (a major Beatles fan from the early days) favored Rubber Soul above the others as well. It's good to know I wasn't alone in my opinion. Of all their records, none mean more to me, personally, than Rubber Soul. Thanks for the video, John. I always enjoy your content.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

It’s a brilliant album. It’s interesting that it was so influenced by The Byrds who of course took their lead from The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Harrison openly told Roger McGuinn and David Crosby through Derek Taylor how much they influenced him on this album as well as influencing the rest of the band because of the first 2 Byrds albums. It’s The Beatles most folk rock album. I love “Rubber Soul”. Who doesn’t? For me it’s their first truly great album - and I like the albums that came before. Love your channel by the way.

[@robertmaichrowicz3158]

I agree 100 percent that Michelle should be given more credit and is as good or better than Yesterday

[@westfield90]

Consistently been one of all time favorite. Norwegian wood, Nowhere Man, In My Life, Girl, Michelle. Brilliant songs.

[@MartinHMyers]

I go Revolver and then Rubber Soul as my favorites

[@Gardosunron]

Listening to Rubber Soul again recently after a hiatus , what struck me was how good and very mature the lyrics are. Take out What Goes On and Run for Your Life and replace with We Can Work it Out, and Day Tripper as the closer and you have a perfect album!

[@karstenpost1477]

Better leave them in and add that wonderful A and B sides😀

[@thejoyofthemusicinmylife7897]

What Goes On and Run For Your Life would have sounded more in place on Beatles for Sale album.

[@PhilJS67]

Would love to see Rubber Soul get the same remix treatment as Revolver etc. Deluxe boxset with outtakes and mono version.

[@user-tk8ew3of8e]

I always loved Rubber Soul. Awesome album...

[@mattdoran8344]

This is the one album I’d like remixed the most… I find Ringo is almost nonexistent on this album.. we’ve dubbed it the tambourine album… I’ve seen KZbin vids of drummers copying songs off this album and Ringo positively kicks ass but he’s mixed so far back… and a few songs George’s guitar sound’s tinny.. so to hear them brought out would be great…

[@johnmay3010]

Rubber Soul is pure perfection and a great introduction to the fabs recording genius. George's songwriting a huge step up.

[@podecrer81]

This is my favorite Beatles album. The first one I got, actually, and the one that made me fall in love with their music. Rubber Soul has a beautiful collection of great tunes, and it shows The Fab Four at their peak as a real cohesive band (as opposed to an assembly line). It presents the perfect balance between Beatlemania and the later period of Beatles music.

[@julianmulloy3772]

John lennon is a genius on rubber soul, John's vocals on nowhere man are top notch my favourite song. They had from October 1965 a 4 week run with no distraction ie concert radio interview ect, well done John top class video.

[@latinhellas6383]

To my ears, the only US release that surpasses the UK releases is Magical Mystery Tour which is also the tail-end of the peak in terms of songwriting, spanning Paperback Writer/Rain-I Am The Walrus. I agree with williamneillgross below that Nowwhere Man is the most memorable song on Rubber Soul, and it's not even on the US release.

[@jean-marieboucherit4518]

I Love The Word

[@VVellieMan]

Great review John and I agree, I think this album is John's songwriting peak, with Paul's peak coming on Revolver. I really think we DO need a Giles Martin remix like they did with Revolver. Despite a partial fix of the stereo mix with the 2009 remaster there is still too much extreme panning present that could be much improved using Peter Jackson's remix technology. Sadly I'm hearing the Red and Blue remixes are coming next...??

[@davecostello560]

Surely not John's peak! Great songs but how about those '67 classics??

[@dennisosborne4368]

I always think that Rubber Soul is a quantum leap in the Beatles canon of albums. It was released barely six months after Help but is a game changer in terms of the maturity of lyrics and subject matter of the songs . No more boy meets girl , I think John in particular was being influenced by the writing of Dylan , In my Life is an astoundingly mature piece of work for someone who is just 25 years.

[@johnheaton5667]

Barely four months after ‘Help’ actually…even more impressive!

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

I like your commentary. Because the four songs that Capitol left off the US Rubber Soul featured electric guitars, and replaced them with the acoustic "I've Just Seen a Face" and the soft-sounding "It's Only Love," the US Rubber Soul comes across more like a "folk rock" album. I prefer the UK album, simply because that was how it was made (the two songs I mentioned on the Capitol LP were from the UK Help! album). Either version is a great selection of songs, but the UK version was how it was intended to be heard.

[@jamess7626]

Great review. Glad you revisited it, John. It came out when I was in 7th grade and has been one of my favorite albums ever since. Being an American, that version has a special place in my heart. But now I love the British version the most. The only difference in our opinion of this album is that I love Nowhere Man the most of all John's tracks on here. Something about the mood it puts me in, I guess. Once again, thanks for the thoughtful videos about my favorite band.

[@roystonsbailey]

Revolver was a higher artistic/creative achievement, but as a collection of songs composed and recorded I believe this one's their best album and the best introduction to the band for the uninitiated.

[@dennisosborne4368]

Plus Rubber Soul blew Brian Wilson away so much that he came up with Pet Sounds in response

[@richardblayneamerican8149]

Excellent video, John. You're quite right about those outtakes -after listening to them one or two times, they gather dust on the shelf. Every time I pay for the latest deluxe edition I promise myself that I won't shell out for the next one. But 'Rubber Soul' is my favorite Beatles album, so I'll be buying. John Lennon's songwriting "peak"? Not so sure; we definitely see his evolution as a songwriter on R.S., but I'd say 'Revolver' was his peak. 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was revolutionary. Cheers.

[@henryhemming1494]

Brilliant work John

[@Donci-ul2pz]

Great review, txs John!

[@ChromeDestiny]

I've come to think of Rubber Soul as a transition album that has great stuff to enjoy for any Beatles fan whether you favor the early stuff, the later stuff or are like me and enjoy it all.

[@DadgeCity]

For a long time this was my favourite Beatles album. Now I vary between this, Revolver and Sgt Pepper's.

[@RonaldBrown59]

I think I have a US and UK versions of this album. And I always come back to it as one of favorite Beatles albums. One of the best albums ever, by anyone. Great video John, thanks for sharing,

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Great video,John!

[@marcyfan-tz4wj]

i was born the day "in my life" was recorded so it is of utmost importance. i love george's 1974 version even if john didn't and "nowhere man" is for me underplayed. the idea that paul could turn "michelle" (a joke he was making at a party) into an all-time classic is amazing but that's why they are the beatles and you are right not only about "rubber soul" but about several ringo records like "sentimental journey" that until recently i'd never heard. great video.

[@stuartshire]

Great video John . Completely agree with your comments about Run For Your Life 👍

[@OMW66]

Hi! «Rubber Soul» was my way into music when i was 5-6 years. It’s still one of my all time favorite albums. Looks like you have a great channel. I like it.

[@jayhawkjd8565]

Nice look back ... well played!

[@johnw706]

Thanks for the video . It happens to be my favourite Beatles album . Living in Canada , I grew up with the US version , and I prefer the inclusion of I’ve Just Seen a Face , and It’s Only Love , to the songs on the U K version . With respect to the extreme stereo separation ( aka hard panning ). , I read an interview with George Martin in which he said : “ the reason it was done like this in the early days of stereo , is because most people at that time still had mono record players , and if you hard panned the stereo , it still sounded ok when played on mono record players “ . Thanks !

[@oldbeatlemaniafandave]

Excellent video John very enjoyable. The gem in my collection as far as Rubber Soul goes is the mono first press with minus one minus one in the Deadwax. Otherwise known as the loud cut with limited pressing of a day or two at EMI I found the sound crisp and vibrant and punchy a whole different sound from the regular Rubber Soul keep up the great work, and all the best, David.

[@MrLancy44]

Your the man. I love your passion for great music. Blood sugar sex magic is a masterpiece. Keep it going ❤

[@dennisosborne4368]

I love the cover photo which was taken in Johns garden in Weybridge and the photo was accidentally stretched by the photographer and the boys liked it

[@cathyhorn963]

Since I grew up in America…my Rubber Soul album opener was “I’ve Just Seen A Face”. I loved that song. And still do. When I put on the Rubber Soul album that nature intended… “Drive My Car” always sound incongruous. I try & try to fix this in my brain… …but always fail.

[@arar8792]

those 7 classical songs on r soul appears on 62-66 red lp

[@thermionic1234567]

Long time, no see!!

[@Kenny-zw1lp]

I’ve got the first and second Mono pressings, and I think it’s better in Mono, I had the stereo pressing first, with the drums and guitars in one speaker and the vocals in the other. When I heard the mono album, it blew me away, with the total sound, and blend of the mix, you can see why the Beatles were getting involved in the mono mixes, and running order of the album. Great Album!

[@fwnfaa]

Another great album from the fab4

[@juliatutor8099]

The "Run For Your Life" criticism has always cracked me up that the line "I'd rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man was lifted wholecloth from the early Presley hit "Baby, Let's Play House"....There is tradition in folk music and the blues called the murder ballad ( "Pretty Polly", for instance) and I never heard anyone going after any of these songs until Lennon admitted to being physically abusive in his relationship with women..." So " this HAS to be autobiographical "...And I don't care how many time you explain to these people where he lifted the line, they won't " remember" what you told them because they want to bash Lennon and that's all their side of the argument really is....Yes, they did take it WAY too seriously....

[@candelise]

For years we heard most The Beatles albums incorrectly.

[@theintelligentsceptic]

Could be coincidental, but interesting to hear that Lou Reed and John Cale cite Rubber Soul as an influence given that The Velvet Underground deployed strict stereo separation of tracks.

[@cyprusrodeo4658]

Shhh , while no one is listening , search for Prof Stoned’s remixes of the first 6 albums and gasp In astonishment at what he has achieved !

[@nervo6321]

Hi John strange you should revisit Rubber Soul I have just done the same thing while driving from Hull to Leeds, made me realise what a gift The Beatles were to the world and how their various different styles of songs was copied by other bands of that era.

[@bobfennell3717]

I bought RS in mono on release and in my opinion all original Beatles releases up to and including Sgt Pepper were far superior in mono than stereo. Yes, the novelty value of hearing different instruments and voices out of one speaker or the other gave bragging rights to some who had access to stereo equipment, but the loss of cohesion that accompanied it soon became apparent. To his credit Giles Martin effectively recreated the mono experience of Pepper in his remix but with added depth. It's actually the only one of his remixes I have bought and I am glad I did.

[@TigerRogers0660]

The only thing wrong with the original stereo is the vocals & bass are panned hard (one on each side). Center both of those & you have a good stereo mix.

[@joncumber2020]

Always thought ‘Girl’ was a (fairly cheeky but obvious) metaphor for marijuana use with the repetitive deep breath intakes (I’m aware of the ‘tit tit’ backup vocals but that may have been to keep things ambiguous:) By all accounts, the band was also ‘all in’ regarding the herb at the time. The lyrics are also very telling:) Good episode as always John. All the best from Trinidad 🇹🇹

[@thermionic1234567]

As an American, I apologize for the bowdlerization of so many Beatles albums. At the same time, I have both the American and British Beatles’ pressings and must say, the American versions of the Mid-Period Beatles’ output make a certain sense.

[@whateyelike]

It's a brilliant album from start to finish. The only low point is George Harrison's song 'Think for yourself' but I guess they had to give him a chance.

[@dennisosborne4368]

John was definitely dominant over Paul on this album in terms of song writing. In my life , Norwegian Wood , Girl, Nowhere Man are the best songs on the album. John was in great creative form. The album is influenced by folk rock and Dylan , Norwegian Wood is a Dylan pastiche so much so that he responded to it with Fourth Time Around on blonde on Blonde. I love the feel of Rubber Soul its one of my favourites and George comes up with his first really good song

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

Carnt beat the original albums you do Describe well and I respect what you think ,rubber soul is a fab album .

[@Steve-wb60]

Love the album, the only negative being that many songs are too short, and feel a bit throwaway as a result.

[@novangoghmusicofficial]

I don’t know what you mean by “another “ remix of Rubber Soul. That album has never been remixed. Only a few tracks were remixed for the Yellow Submarine song. Both the original stereo mix and the 1980s mix are terrible. The 2009 remaster uses the 1980s mix. This album is crying for a remix.

[@lordbear7789]

It was remixed in 1987 by George Martin.

[@novangoghmusicofficial]

@@lordbear7789 Yes I know it was remixed in 1987. But that so called “remix “ was practically the same as the 1965 stereo mix. The only difference was slightly less edgy panning of the vocals and instruments and some digital reverb. But for me at least it still sucked. We need a real remix with the vocals centered and spread out. Compare Nowhere Man from the 90s Yellow Submarine Songtrack remix to the so called 1987 remix and decide which one you like better. Anyway for folks who love the 1987 remix then enjoy. But for me and many others we would love a real remix.

[@lordbear7789]

@@novangoghmusicofficial You said it had never been remixed. That statement is incorrect. It’s still a remix even if you don’t think it was quite drastic enough.

[@lordbear7789]

You know what, never mind. I’m being petty.

[@novangoghmusicofficial]

@@lordbear7789 lol we’re both being a little petty, but it’s all good

[@andrewcollins9628]

Apparently the dj john peels favourite beatles album was Rubber Soul

[@llewellynGS1]

As a teen, this was one of my favorite Beatles albums, but it’s dropped off a bit these days. I would say for me, there’s not quite enough electric on this album, and sometimes I prefer Help to it. I also think “nowhere man” is too repetitive, though great vocals. These days I prefer white album, Abbey Road and Let it Be.

[@davidrobinson2776]

John, long time no comment but I wondered if you've heard the new remaster of Splinter?

[@jedikiah1541]

I think What Goes On and Run For Your Life are filler. The rest is very good, and more mature than The Beatles previous work. John's "Nowhere Man", Norwegian Wood" and "In My Life" are the highlights, but most of it ranks highly. I still think it's some way behind Revolver.

[@jnagarya519]

"Rubber Soul" has more emotional depth than "Revolver".

[@davidj3416]

They need Giles Martin to do another remix so that Beatle fans will spend their money to buy it.

[@stevena9305]

I suspect he already has!

[@arnesaknussemm2427]

Didn’t McCartney state around this time that they were writing ‘comedy’ songs? Drive my Car and Norwegian Wood being two cases in point.

[@tomasfagerberg6323]

I agree on Yesterday and Michelle. I've always liked Michelle a little bit more. Paul claims that he wrote the melody to In My Life. When he arkivet at John's house, John has the lyrics but couldn't find a good tune to it, so Paul wrote it for him.

[@benmeltzer]

I acknowledge this is a bit of a quibble, but the Beatles were after all perfectionists and, since I don't see it mentioned, I'll point it out. George Martin's solo on "In My Life" doesn't resolve. It cuts off abruptly and awkwardly.

[@kevinfitzsimons41]

I think the argument of this being John Lennon’s peak is diluted if he didn’t write the melody to In My Life. If he had written it then yes it’s John’s peak.,If he didn’t then Paul is probably ahead again although none of this nit picking spoils the listener experience to be fair

[@allanforrester2612]

I'm afraid I have always found Wait and I'm Looking Through You a bit boring. I can't think of any other songs by The Beatles, other than Blue Jay Way I'd say the same about.

[@arar8792]

lennon admit that he stole i rather see u dead...... from babys lets play house by elvis

[@christopher9152]

I'd say these kinds of remixed/alternate track releases are nothing more than unnecessary cash-grabs at this point. If they have some never before heard songs in the tank, whether originals (not alternate takes) or covers, let's hear them. Otherwise--enough. The Beatles have been more a brand than a band for a long time now. I wonder what Lennon would think.

[@jeffkaufman9875]

@christopher Though I’m not sure what John would think, I believe he’d SAY: CHA-CHING!!..

[@christopher9152]

@@jeffkaufman9875 haha