Ep23 Complete Beatles Journey "I'll Follow the Sun" & "Mr. Moonlight" | Reaction & Analysis

[@davidh.8798]

It's stumbling across songs like "I'll Follow the Sun" that makes working through the Beatless catalogue so endlessly surprising, rewarding and joyous. There are plenty of weak songs on these first four albums, but the countless gems you come across make it all worthwhile. Above all though, they set the scene for what's to come next. You've paid your dues. You won't believe the quality of the music you're about to come to.

[@Iancresswell70]

I'll Follow the Sun is particular favourite of mine. They had so little time making these records and near the end of the sessions they had run out of songs. So John suggests that finish off a song Paul had started when he was a teenager. You can tell Paul had the ear for a tune and a phrase at an incredibly young age.

[@deniseg812]

And not to mention, the need for $$$$, John didn't have that,

[@ЕвгенияТолокнова-г7ю]

John’s low harmony in I’ll Follow the Sun is incredible ❤ Mr Moonlight was always something special for me, also thanks to John’s sexy voice!

[@thomastimlin1724]

I always wanted John to sing a descending line on the words "And now the" [time has has come] etc. The notes in C, would C,B, Bb....[and the words "And though I...."] but that's just me being a musician lol

[@ЕвгенияТолокнова-г7ю]

@@thomastimlin1724yes, that will be good, but hardly better😊 the more simple, the more exquisite

[@daveman_50]

I'll Follow The Sun demonstrates so many strengths of the band. Melody. Harmonies. Simple tasteful percussion and guitar solo. Lovely vocal timbre. Gosh, really nothing can be criticized about this, nothing could be changed to make it better.

[@susieq9801]

When I got this LP I wore out the grove on this song. I had to put a penny on the arm of the record player so it wouldn't skip.

[@barbarjinx3802]

I’m a fan of Mr moonlight. John puts his heart into it and it’s got some weird sounds. A throwback and experimental.

[@haranbanjo8024]

I'LL FOLLOW THE SUN, one of the most beautiful melody of 20th Century!

[@johnshannon9656]

"I'll Follow the Sun" is perfectly engineered, mixed and produced. Un-tweakable.

[@juanita6479]

Paul's voice sounds gorgeous on first song, and then the harmonies match perfectly well together. Great song!! On Mr Moonlight I knew what your reaction would be at the beginning, that note was great, and the stunning harmonies are amazing, and to be honest I don't really think there is such a thing as 'a worst' Beatles song, less catchy or interesting maybe but all have something to bring out.

[@gettinhungrig8806]

Mr Moonlight is mainly a showcase for John's voice, then at peak power. Incredible performance by him.

[@jameskelly8586]

I've always liked "Mr. Moonlight"--I don't understand why it's been panned. I guess I'm not hearing what others hear. It makes me happy whenever I hear it.

[@patticrichton1135]

@jameskelly8586 I feel the SAME as you do! It makes me feel happy too

[@nasserhafes3021]

Amen!!!!

[@Ernie1978]

Sir Paul's "I'll Follow the Sun" is such a beauty!

[@nonrepublicrat]

"Sir" LOL. You THINK that means something.

[@jnagarya519]

This is a beautiful LP. It's WARM.

[@pelaronson4086]

Perfect as ever....tnxxx

[@debbiechang5781]

I agree with you to a point about Paul’s “prettier” voice, but I must admit I love a good old Macca scream. (Oh! Darling comes to mind) The Beatles 1994 documentary had some outtakes of John trying to get the beginning phrase of “Mr Moonlight” just right. You are so right, that was a tricky bit. It was very funny. It’s a great song and I love what they did with it. I am continuing to love this journey you are taking with us. Great input Luke. 🌺✌️

[@thomastimlin1724]

On Mr. Moonlight John's vocals makes so real, so believable, impassioned. Brought the song up to higher level or performance making it more worth listening to. This song was from their repertoire in the nightclub days in Hamburg, Germany and Liverpool.

[@oberaberg5283]

I love love love your reactions!

[@deniseg812]

He gets it. It's refreshing.

[@Kathmak]

Melancholic is a great description of I'll Follow the Sun, but I always feel a bit wistful when I hear this beautiful song.

[@dodojack1045]

Thank you for this. Quite an astute analysis of what the Beatles gave us thru these songs.

[@debjorgo]

George Martin plays the organ here. I think a lot of people didn't think it sounded Beatle-ly.

[@denicedews8854]

I really enjoy hearing what you have to say about each song. I was 7-8 years old when my babysitter brought over Beatles 45's to listen to. Even at that young age I felt something magical about them. I am loving this Beatles Journey and look forward to each episode! (And, being from the US I could listen to you talk all day, lol)

[@danielk2829]

I feel fine and she’s a woman were the A/B single for this album. Great songs and Paul McCartney doing she’s a woman in his new concerts in Australia!

[@deniseg812]

You're gonna lose that girl.

[@robertszekely8686]

These are not two of my favorites, especially in this point of their careers. However, this is not to say that I dislike them. I do like these songs, and I think that your take on them is very good. One thing that you say at the beginning of this reaction is that you are trying to do all the albums and singles of the Beatles. One song that I think you may have missed is "This Boy" which is before Hard Days Night. It's a single that was on the second side of I Want to Hold Your Hand. I would appreciate if you can do a reaction to that song. Thank You.

[@AlBarzUK]

Not sure if he missed it, but there was an EP… Long Tall Sally, Slow Down, Matchbox, I Call You Name.

[@robertszekely8686]

@@AlBarzUK Thanks. I do have all of these songs on either record or tape, including "This Boy." I'm not sure if he missed it, but I don't recall him doing it. I just wanted to see a reaction by him to the song. Thanks again.

[@susieq9801]

I wore the grove out on my LP of "I'll follow the sun" and had to put a penny on the arm of the record player so it wouldn't skip.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Fun reaction as always man. And I forgot how much I liked that second song. I forgot there was even a good studio recording of it. If I remember correctly, that was one of the songs that they were doing at least a few years earlier when they were playing in Hamburg I think. I've heard the super low fidelity bootleg of some of that early live stuff, and I would say they were still going by the band name of the Silver Beatles, and somewhere in there was also when they also nabbed Ringo from some other popular band like Gerry Hart and the Pacemakers. But I'm pretty sure I remember hearing this on those bootleg tapes. Along with another popular cover at the time, Besame Mucho, which in Spanish means kiss me a whole lot, laugh.

[@AlBarzUK]

Who’s Gerry Hart?? It was Marsden! But Ringo came out of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

[@terryohara2284]

Love your Heart. Understanding and Interest in this Music!

[@v.2080]

Always loved the song I'll Follow the Sun!❤❤ Mr. Moonlight, not so much.... Your facial expressions were priceless.😂

[@patticrichton1135]

I LOVE LOVE "Mr. Moonlight" even though so many seem to NOT like it, I just never understood why.

[@roxanewebster9003]

I think some of the genius of the Beatles is that I crave another 2 verses to almost every song!

[@howcotube]

I certainly appreciate the thought you put into every Beatles song. I am a first generation fan and must have heard every song over 50 times and I never thing that hard about the ins and outs of the music as such. but I do enjoy when you give your analysis. You are right about Mr. Moonlight. Many of panned it but I always loved it but I thought they could have done better with the middle organ part, and I never criticize them. Will be watching your ride on the Beatles trail of the best music ever !!!

[@yes_head]

"I'll Follow the Sun" is classic mid-period Beatles. I feel like Paul's almost trying too hard to write something commercial, and it's the sort of thing that would inspire legions of TV commercial ditties. IMO "Mr. Moonlight" is John in "F-you" mode. I have a feeling he honestly loved the vocal with that big a cappella opening (which took a few tries based on the studio outtakes.) But's it's almost as if he chose a song that he knew would get a rise out of people. In some ways it's also a throwback to the more exaggerated songs from the Beatle's early days, like "Besame Mucho" and "Three Cool Cats." I'd never considered its connections to African or Caribbean music but that's not off the mark.

[@rghilino6734]

I've noted that Mr. Moonlight is one of the more disliked Beatles songs. I happen to like a lot.

[@debbiechang5781]

I like it too.

[@cathyortiz1280]

It's completely dreadful!!!

[@patticrichton1135]

I like it as well!

[@MsAppassionata]

I used to dislike it but it’s starting to grow on me. ☺️

[@Kieop]

"Did you say organ?" I love how you paused the song to say that you thought you heard an organ only to return to a full on organ solo! It's like the organ was showing off just for you because it heard you call it out! 😂

[@strathman7501]

Nicely said, Luke. Thanks.

[@gustavopanesso7297]

Great songs. What can I say❤❤

[@bobbybrettel5422]

Just wait till you get to Revolver album....... it's totally different

[@bestmusicplaylists5294]

Beatles the immersive experience 🙏

[@gustavopanesso7297]

Bring tears to my eyes 😢❤

[@bestmusicplaylists5294]

🌞🌞🌞🌛🌛🌛beatles forever

[@jeffgee1148]

I think "Mr. Moonlight" is hilarious. That organ solo isn't just cheesy, it's a tsunami of Velveeta. "Mr. Moonlight" is an early stop on the way to "You Know My Name, Look Up the Number."

[@johnshannon9656]

"Mr. Moonlight" is one of the most hated Beatles songs but it's great.

[@cathyortiz1280]

No, it's dreadful. It's even worse than "Number 9." At least that was experimental sounds. Moonlight was their managements idea - and you can tell. It's off-key & old as time, makes me wanna shit my wrists!

[@patticrichton1135]

@@cathyortiz1280 my goodness, that's really harsh! WOW. I am happy I don't have that reaction to it. LOL. I like it. 😊

[@singluna888]

The rooftop concert is awesome if you haven't already seen it.

[@jnagarya519]

So, gee, with the introduction of unusual instruments the REVOLUTION began BEFORE "Rubber Soul".

[@TangoEliott]

I believe George Martin loved I'll Follow The Sun.

[@donniemoder1466]

In-Ter-REST-ting-gue. I like Mr. Moonlight too.

[@ruramikael]

I wonder if this was the inspiration for Here comes the Sun?

[@jameshealy8402]

I'll follow the Sun could well be a Buddy Holly song , who was one of the biggest influences of them . This album was one of Noel Gallagher's favorites, or was it Liam, lol

[@wayne_twentyfive]

"Mr. Moonlight" is one of my lower tier Beatles tracks.. John's vocal performance is great for sure, but there's just something about the song itself that doesn't quite grab me .. However, it's definitely not what I would call a bad song .. I don't think The Beatles knew how to make one of those ! 😉

[@vanhouten7377]

this is their 4th album not the 5th

[@donnalovell4199]

Paul lost his mother to cancer at fourteen!

[@deniseg812]

I'm thinking you are English. Where from. Love your accent.

[@allanalogmusicat78rpm]

These are both great in their way. Moonlight is cheesy, but it is fairly faithful to the original. The Lennon McCartney number is the strongest. George Martin was very impressed by it

[@singluna888]

You didn't "wooh" first.

[@Katsem]

I never disliked Mr. Moonlight, but did and still do think the lyrics are a bit sappy. John’s interpretation vocally doesn’t match the words in my mind.

[@numinousbookofreview]

I'll Follow the Sun is gorgeous. But I have no idea why they felt compelled to cover drivel like Mr Moonlight.

[@mrsnookdeb]

Im sorry, I just cringe when I hear John at the opening and throughout most of Mr. Moonlight , whether intentional or not , his voice on this is like fingernails on a chalboard

[@cathyortiz1280]

"I'll Follow the Sun" is beautiful. I hate "Mr. Moonlight!" It's dreadful. Their manager had them record it. It was voted worst Beatles song along with "Number 9" for many years at "Beatlefests." At least "Number 8" was experimenting with different sounds. Moonlight is an older song with its corny organ & off-key vocals. It makes me wanna slit my wrists!!!

[@yournamehere6002]

Mr. Moonlight is notorious for being considered one of the Beatles' worst songs.