The Radical Innovations of the Perfect Beatles Song: Rain

55 years ago this week, The Beatles entered EMI Abbey Road Studios for what would arguably be the most revolutionary week of their recording career. Working closely with their beloved producer George Martin and an eager young EMI engineer named Geoff Emerick, the band developed a slew of innovative new techniques that would forever change their sound and the sound of pop music.
The song "Rain", born out of these sessions and released as the B-side to Paperback Writer in mid-1966, would be the world's first glimpse into the brilliant new ideas and sounds that burst forth on the landmark Revolver album in August 1966.
In this video, we'll dissect the incredible innovations that make Rain - a favorite of many Beatles fans, and for good reason - so special.
As a fair warning, once I point them out, you can't unhear this ;)
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Special thanks to the following individuals for sharing insights and materials for this episode:
Dave Rybaczewski www.beatlesebooks.com
Alan Pollack www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/D...
Mark Lewisohn www.marklewisohn.net/
Scott Freiman www.beatleslectures.com/about-...
Dash Cole
Eli Rosen
‪@DLD2Music‬
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Why Is This Beatles Song So Messy? • Why Is This Beatles So...
The Hidden F-Bomb in 'Hey Jude'
• The Beatles' Hidden F-...
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[@YouCantUnhearThis]

NEW EPISODE! What do YOU think about Rain? Should it have been included on Revolver instead of being released as a single?

[@Theactivepsychos]

Up there with my favourite songs. This, yer blues, I want you, helter skelter, all often my go to track.

[@j-mersh6572]

I honestly think that Rain would have fit on Revolver very well; such a wonderful and innovative song.

[@beatlemaniac-oc4dr]

Definitely shoulda been on revolver

[@Theactivepsychos]

@@beatlemaniac-oc4dr 3 words. Value. For. Money.

[@yoshi41301]

Definitely should have been on the album, always been a favorite of mine

[@BlinDefender]

I was at a Grateful Dead concert in Las Vegas years ago. During the show, a small lighting storm rolled over the stadium dropping a short but intense rain shower. During the shower, the band transitioned from the song they were playing into a cover of Rain. After the shower passed, they slipped seamlessly back into the original song. It was excellent, totally spontaneous moment.

[@WestCoastLife96]

Epic!

[@colins9559]

Thats beautiful

[@stevetruth2696]

THAT is freaking awesome!

[@TSAR2010]

Woah

[@sulatlalaki]

Are you sure you weren't "under the influence" and the seamlessness wasn't at least a bit skewed perception? 😆 Jk

[@curtisduncanmusic7645]

I WAS around in '66, and yes, "Rain" sounded completely fresh and revolutionary. I am so glad to have lived through this incredibly creative, innovative period of time.

[@nicksrestos8505]

I was too. According to the vid. I was 7 days old when the first sat down to write that song. I love that song.

[@taragreenetarotastro]

yes me too, These records were mind-bending for a teen in those days

[@TampaDave]

@@taragreenetarotastro Yes, I turned 18 the year _Revolver_ came out. It was the trippiest music ever. Then came _Sgt Peppers_ and it was the trippiest record of all time. Then there were more.... _Magical Mystery Tour_ and _Abbey Road_ and the "White Album", and more ... each a legend. Each great group of the time stimulated the others, and technology rose accordingly to accommodate the explosion in music creativity, and KABOOM! The "Fab Four" will be played (along with Mozart and others) until the end of our civilization.

[@DungeonTV100]

B side to we can work it out? Its the bass-line... my dads 7" vinyl.. 💙😎👊

[@charleslatora5750]

Same. Always loved this song.

[@gavinspencer399]

I really dont think one could describe this track as "tragically overlooked". To Beatles fans, it's a masterpiece.

[@alistersutherland3688]

Well, as he said, he wasn't alive then, so there's that.

[@johnclark3152]

Paperback Writer and Rain are two Beatles tracks I found/find somewhat disagreeable.

[@imkluu]

@@johnclark3152 This is the perfect Beatles single, in that it is so diverse, as were the Beatles, and it pushed the edge of studio vs traditional pop and rock sounds, again, as did the Beatles.

[@literallyunderrated]

I agree but there are a lot of younger listeners who may not understand what was so special about it

[@garytwitchett9359]

Agreed. To hear the stereo version in the UK back in the early 70s, you had to obtain the US only released "HEY JUDE" AKA "THE BEATLES AGAIN" vinyl LP . Once you heard the Stereo version, it truly brought out the best in the song.

[@sgvincent100]

I’m 66 and every Beatles song that came out added to the soundtrack of my coming of age. “Rain” is one of those standouts, an absolute masterpiece. I don’t think it’s too dramatic to say that my jaw probably hung open in amazement whenever the Beatles released new music.

[@richneuman9113]

Thank you for opening my ears to this tune. Rain, like many great songs, took quite a number of plays to grow on me. Over time, I saw how incredibly beautiful the song was, and still is. BTW, I couldn't stand MacArthur Park, sung by Richard Harris, written by Jimmy Webb, when it first came out, and now it's still one of my favorite songs of all time!

[@johnnybeegoode204]

yup we waited with bated breath eaxh new release - and they never failed to amaze

[@soulagent79]

To me "Rain" is the whole Revolver album compressed into one song.

[@georgelumsden4484]

True its better the half the dongs on there. If they cut out good day sunshine and got to get you into my life and put those singles there it wouldve been great

[@ala0284]

@@georgelumsden4484 GTGYIML is one of my favourites from Revolver. Get rid of Yellow Submarine, it doesn’t fit the album

[@georgelumsden4484]

@@ala0284 i forgot about that one lol

[@gypsydavy708]

@@georgelumsden4484 It would have been a better choice than "Got to get you into my life", in my humble opinion.

[@Kelly14UK]

Always likened She Said to Rain till recently, i found out Harrison did the bass and McCartney was absent from She Said. It was like they were recorded on the same day.

[@metalheadeli]

Man I love the Revolver era

[@rumigilani7525]

You should definitely read ‘Beatles 66’! (If you haven’t already of course) Great novel, very descriptive and well written.

[@ferociousgumby]

Do you agree that Rubber Soul and Revolver would have made a perfect double album? I'd call it Rubber Revolver.

[@centin8035]

@@ferociousgumby They're definitely very similar albums

[@MsAppassionata]

@@centin8035 I don’t think they are at all. There are things on Revolver that were very different from Rubber Soul. That’s what I have always loved about The Beatles. They were always advancing with every album. They liked pushing the envelope, so to speak.

[@gregoryjgarcia3862]

Agreed!

[@andrewcrocker9432]

Even as a fan, what The Beatles achieved never ceases to amaze me. The stars truly aligned when they met. Anybody who denies the colossal effect they had on popular music and society clearly doesn't understand what they did. Analogue equipment and just 4 track to boot. Rain has always been massively underrated and is a work of absolute genius.

[@shaft9000]

How can anything that the Beatles did be underrated when they get more love and adulation than any other band in history lol

[@tomdaoust]

Yes. The stars aligned and gave us the Beatles. So much talent, humor, creativity gave us so much joy. I feel the same way about a few groups, such as ABBA. Gorgeous girls, talented writers, marvelous sound engineer, sex appeal, outrageous costumes. What’s not to like? The stars aligned. I’m so happy.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

@@shaft9000 I think some confuse underrated with underappreciated. I don't really notice it though with anything Beatles but everyone's different. I subscribe to satellite radio and mainly listen to the Beatles channel. Rain is played quite often. But there is so much material that some songs may get lost in the sauce.

[@Dick_Z_Normas]

I was 15 when Rain was released. That song, and the following 3 LP's, completely changed my outlook on just about everything. Girls, the band I was in, my family, school.....nothing was the same ever again.

[@SelectCircle]

I envy people who came of age with the Beatles. I was a little too young.

[@billinct860]

Ditto... same here. I'll be 74 in November. I was just starting High School when Kennedy was shot. We needed something to heal our minds when the Beatles first came in view. If I recall right, both Rain and Paperback were in the charts, and both did equally well. I wondered how they figured which song was being bought.

[@gmb858]

@@billinct860 I was 13 when JFK was murdered. 79 days later, after that cold and depressed winter, the Beatles appeared on the Sullivan Show. It gave Americans a reason to smile again.

[@johnrogers9481]

I was 13 in ‘66. There was hit after hit song from those guys that ruled! I can remember the moment, walking on a Bronx sidewalk, wearing my very first pair of bell bottom pants, looking down I suddenly felt awesome! I fully felt that I belonged, I belonged to something, something big. Belonged to a church hole new generation. At that time it felt that Beatles would never end and since 1970 it’s felt like they never ended! Beatles is an awesome feeling!

[@bluezy1]

and I’m 20 here in 2022… the Beatles are forever haha!

[@ronlemons5316]

I grew up with The Beatles. I'm a 70+ year old musician. The Beatles are the absolute best ever. Thank you John, Paul, George and Ringo.

[@zakstev]

Me too. But I've always considered Rain to be third rate for the Beatles. An wasn't this around the time that Paul was killed in a car crash, and replaced by "Faul?"

[@invoxicated]

Same here 70 1/2 years old and still playing their songs.

[@TheIgnatzz]

I was blasting Rain through my car speakers, and a guy actually ran up to my car at a traffic light to tell me how great the song was.

[@glenndespres5317]

Even if you made this story up.... I LOVE it!!!

[@Krabadaque]

I can very well understand him!

[@banjoboy01]

and you lived happily ever after

[@clintonsmith5163]

It would have been really cool if he had run through the rain to tell you that.

[@CerpinTxt87]

No he didn't

[@peterfrengel3964]

Giles Martin's 2022 remix of "Rain" is beyond words - like hearing the song over again for the first time. Using advanced technology from Peter Jackson's Get Back documentary, they UNMIXED the guitars, bass, and drums, which had been stuffed onto one track when the song was recorded in mono in 1966.. They then remastered each instrument and remixed everything into vibrant stereo. The result is an aural knock out punch. Amazing.

[@shaft9000]

Actually that tech was pioneered by Celemony to do audio 'surgery' over a decade before the Peter Jackson doc was conceived.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

The original engineers say they prefer the mono mixes. But they are probably biased being they put so much time and effort getting a good sound with such archaic equipment. And as well back then they had to master it to work through a single little dashboard speaker of a car or portable radio via AM. Totally different animal from todays systems.

[@ranchjp]

In 66 I was 17, and in a band in Chicago. This was one we could never do live LOL. We did Stones, Monkees, Paul Revere, etc and some "simple" Beatles tunes. Interestingly I liken many Beatles compositions like architectural creations of Frank Lloyd Wright - they are timeless

[@jegog.]

In 1966, when this song was released, I was 10 years old. My brother, 5 years older, had bought the single, and Rain captivated me. I played it over and over, and sang along. Several weeks later, I was away at summer camp. I loved to sing and I loved musical theater, so I decided to try out for the camp production of "Oliver!". I had a beautiful boy soprano voice and decided to sing "Rain" for my audition a cappela. I thought I nailed it but I remember getting a great many odd looks as apparently nobody else knew the song and they didn't know what to make of the song, or me. I didn't get cast, but it is one of my proudest memories.

[@mozdickson]

good yarn, thanks!

[@shivasgirl1609]

You were obviously an enlightened, well-ahead-of-his-time young man. It was that camp's production of Oliver!'s loss to have missed out on having you in it. Thank you for sharing.

[@gilbertgiles]

I know what to make of you. Ahead of the class, mate.

[@ramjamflimflam]

Good for you

[@GedMaybury23]

These micro-stories are gold. A snapshot of a boy at 10; summer camp; and a young genius just gets up and expresses his love for a song. Beautiful. I hope the memories this era can be captured this way - in a hundred million snapshots instead of our conventional concept of History. Stories we store in our hearts instead of our minds.

[@davidharvey8158]

I bought Paperback Writer/Rain on the first day of release in 1966. My father worked at EMI Ltd, Hayes, and one of the the benefits of working for this great organization was that the staff got a discount on the records and audio equipment that they produced. During the 1960s, I would meet my father after he had finished work at EMI and we'd go to the Staff Sales record section and I'd look through the huge selection of records that EMI produced. Its true to say that I spent a great deal of my money at EMI Staff Sales. For some reason which I cannot remember, I didn't go to EMI to buy The Beatles new single, Paperback Writer/Rain, my father bought it on my behalf and brought it home for me. We had a Marconi-phone radio-gram (another EMI product) back in the sixties and after I had played the A side, Paperback Writer, I turned the record over to hear the B side, Rain.....WOW!! Rain hit me like an express train coming out of a tunnel, this was something quite different to what had come before. I played Rain repeatedly much to my parents displeasure! It still rates as one of my favorite Beatle songs, its not the lyrics that set it apart, its the sound, the overall sound that hits you!! Thank God its not just me that appreciated this great B side all those years ago! It must be difficult to appreciate The Beatles for anyone born after 1970, if you were growing up in the 1960s you were living through a period of immense cultural change and every new Beatles record meant more change, and the changes effected so much, it was much more than the music, it was about fashion, politics, religion, sex, literature, theatre and travel. The changes were huge and we still feel those changes to this day.

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 💋💋

[@chazsach6594]

Who would have thought that in mint condition records are worth considerably more today than when they ere new.

[@dan537]

I was born in 1978 and Beatles songs are still filled with truths about my life. At my first job somebody had brought in the anthology CD's and we played them every day. I still think of that job when I here Revolver, that got played more than anything else. The first time I bought records for myself I picked up the white album, help and live at the Hollywood Bowl. I absolutely fell in love with the white album. For a time, I was a woodwinds teacher at a music store and a private school. I taught Beatles songs to many of my students who were born 15 years before I was because they knew the songs too. I think up through the millennial generation people all have experiences with The Beatles growing up. You're right, of course. I can't appreciate them for what they were in the 1960s, but I can appreciate them very much as part of my youth all the same. And ftr, I am still absolutely in love with the white album.

[@joe6096]

I was born in 1977. My Mom still has all her original issue Beatles records (no, sorry, they're not worth much due to how often she played them as a teenager and frayed and ruined the album covers and put scratches on the records). Having been born 7 years after the Beatles broke up, hearing their music was never a "first time experience" for me unfortunately. Their music was always there, in the background of my life, whenever I wanted it. I can't say "the first time I heard Rain" because, my Mom has the 45 with PbW and I've just always listened to it. Don't get me wrong I love the songs and I've learned to play guitar because of the Beatles, but since I'm not old enough I can never have that experience of running out to the store to buy the latest Beatles album. I can only imagine being 16 years old when Paperback Writer/Rain hit the store shelves, and you run up there to buy it, bring it home, and play it for that very first time. For the last 2-3 years you know the Beatles, you've heard the Beatles everywhere, and you have all their albums. But this? This..... is a whole new ballgame. This ain't She Loves You or I Saw Her Standing There. Wow. Had to be amazing for you.

[@davidsanderson5918]

My own LP was pressed using the very same machines they used at Hayes Middlesex for Revolver. Well chuffed!

[@nathaneast7923]

Thank you for making this video. Rain has always been one of my favourite Beatles songs, capturing a transcendent, otherworldly feel that is redolent of most of the Revolver album (even though it didn't appear on it). It's my favourite track on the Past Masters singles compilation. Revolver, not Sgt Pepper, is the gateway drug. It's the signpost to a new kind of sound and a new kind of consciousness. The Beatles are not just of a time and a place; their sound and their innovations belong to all of mankind, for all time.

[@bb1111116]

When it was released the striking thing about Rain was its bagpipe style drone vocals. Since I am an older guy, a musician who was alive at the time, Lennon had already explored what I’d call deeper ideas previously with; I’m a Loser, You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away & In My Life. These songs touched on darker parts of the human condition involving loss, self doubt & relationships with the passage of time.

[@newagain9964]

Lennon had the Lyrics but Paul had the music. Numerous interviews have the band claiming Revolver, Sgt Pepper, Abbey Road were “Paul’s records”. He served as musical director from 66 (sometimes to much annoyance).

[@bb1111116]

@@newagain9964 ; while overall you are correct, the devil is in the details. There is plenty of influence by Lennon on the music in his songs with Pepper, Let It Be and Abbey Road. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds or Across the Universe are not Paul songs musically. After the breakup, Lennon had plenty of that kind of musical complexity in Walls and Bridges as well as with Double Fantasy.

[@rhythmfield]

The last part of your statement is John in a nutshell! The deeper, darker voice of pain and struggle, anxiety, and all of those all-too-human grapplings. Without John, none of this music would’ve gotten to such a high level of depth and creativity, even though Paul is, without a doubt, a genius. They were all street-level geniuses, but John was the grit .

[@NuisanceMan]

@@newagain9964 John wrote the melodies and not just the lyrics to his songs. Also, while Paul more actively produced his own songs that John, he did not produce John's songs, though he certainly contributed.

[@newagain9964]

@@NuisanceMan I didn’t say he produced (tho he did do a lot of that). I said he served as (defacto) music director. From even just getting them together to practice and record, as well as shape the DIRECTION of the music.

[@axeman2638]

Rain was always one of my most favourite beatles tunes, seems like most either never heard it or didn't get it.

[@paultheaudaciousbradford6772]

The first song I think of when it comes to overlooked “Beatle gems” is “Hey Bulldog”. I absolutely love “Rain”; but, Dude, ROCK AND ROLL!

[@ToGeeseIsToNeed]

Listening to the Rain (Take 5/Actual Speed) track on the new Revolver (Deluxe Edition) takes this video to a whole other level. The actual speed ended up even faster than what you said it “probably sounded like.” Amazing work!

[@gregwinter1081]

Yea, I think I read where the engineer could alter the speed of playback, so this song ends up somewhere between G & Gb. It really belonged on Revolver

[@artiewithers6980]

One thing I always liked about this song is Paul’s bass line. I think the song was originally in the key of “G”. If it wasn’t, I will use “G” in my example. In the chorus when they sing the lyric “Rain”, Paul plays the note “G” on his bass, which is the first note of the “G” scale. As George and John move to a “C” chord, which is the 4th of the “G” scale, Paul does not move to a “C” note, but he remains on the “G” note, which is the 5th note of the “C” chord. It has the effect of creating this semi dissonant sound in the song at that point.

[@jamesturner2914]

It’s not dissonant, it’s just a strong drone. A route and fifth can never not work :)

[@Mrbeahz1]

Paul staying on C makes the chord a C5. He also plays a C chord as descending triplets in another chorus.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

Paul was real good at stuff like that. For someone who was more or less forced to play bass he ended up being one of the best in the world and totally perfect for the band.

[@daytripper9222]

Well for someone who was there in 66 I will tell you my story. I lived in Redondo Beach California and went to a little elementary school right in the middle of the neighborhood. I was in the fifth grade and already a huge Beatles fan. Had seen them on Sullivan in 64 of February. Our little record store was about 5 to 7 minutes away from the elementary school. The record store used to have a little card that had the top 30 songs and on the back of it it would say these songs are hit bound. And one of them was Paperback writer and Rain single. Back then we had three huge AM radio stations, KHJ, KRLA and KFWB. All three were playing the daylights out of paperback writer and rain. I had called the record store and he told me the release date of the single. At lunch time I left the school grounds went to the record store and bought a copy of paperback writer and Rain which I think came to about a buck. I walked from the record store to my grandparents house which was a block away from the school. Mind you I had 30 minutes to do all this so I had to haul ass. The record store was 5 minutes away from the school but I still had to run to the record store then run to my grandparents house play paperback writer five times play rain five times run back to school. As soon as I stepped on the school grounds the bell rang so I just made it. To go back a little bit at my grandparents house playing that song on my grandfather's stereo the first thing that I noticed immediately was the bass. It sounded so different from hearing it on my transistor radio. I remember the rumor that was going around back then that somebody I think at EMI or possibly Capital records was worried about the bass sound thinking that the needle would skip on the record player. Damn near did. I remember that day clear as day. It's funny, I can't remember what happened 5 minutes ago but I can sure as hell remember what happened over 50 years ago thanks to music and the Beatles. I wish I could go back to that June day in 1966.

[@lorenanders702]

Cool story

[@kathygreca]

I do also

[@chadheckman2693]

Thanks for the story. I posted my story too. Please see response to "You Can't Unhear This" section above.

[@nortonnewmann3711]

I was 11 then and also in 5th grade. I remember listening to these on a little green transistor radio. I had a friend years ago (we eventually formed a band together in junior high) who had a literal wall of Beatle albums and bootlegs in his bedroom.

[@daytripper9222]

@@nortonnewmann3711 My first bootleg was the Get Back album.

[@elirosen1391]

Holy cow, man! When you think about it, Rain is the one song where the Beatles managed to encapsulate every technical innovation that they'd use in Revolver! Backwards instruments and vocals, vari-speed, unconventional lyrics, you name it! Somehow, Rain has it all!

[@DLD2Music]

hello elirosen

[@filmaticpictures9693]

And leading bass!

[@porflepopnecker4376]

And John even works in the word "lemonade"!

[@chadheckman2693]

@@filmaticpictures9693 Paul's bass was revolutionary!

[@tashurst1]

And it's imagining to think they put all these new bits together I a few days, although of course they must have had the ideas in mind before. Must have been an incredible few days in the studio, with the guys saying "Let's try this...then this...then this!"

[@gregkindvall933]

One of my favorite Beatles tunes. It shows how far ahead of time they were. No one had ever heard anything like this before. Each instrument and the vocals are brilliant. Such a masterpiece!

[@leokimvideo]

I was in Kindi school in 1970 and we were singing Yellow Submarine, not knowing as little children this was a fairly new song against all the other old classics we also sang.

[@MrU4theChillWind]

The first time I played Yellow Submarine for my neice she was blown away and learned almost all the lyrics on the first and second takes. Those lyrics and upbeat rhythm draws little ones in like a big bowl of ice cream lol

[@The1920sChannel]

When someone says Ringo wasn't actually talented, just show them "Rain"

[@aboxofbroken8tracks983]

Or just walk away from them, because they are irredeemable idiots.

[@jamespurcer3730]

Ringo wasn't flashy or outrageous, but he was simply perfect and his timing was always tight.

[@clintwheeler2184]

Wait... who ever says Ringo wasn’t talented? If someone says that to me I say fuck right off, and... let it be

[@DaddyGabby]

or just show them, a, a, oh hell, all the rest...

[@dennismoore8297]

Ringo was the perfect drummer for this band in every way. It had to happen this way.

[@GeneJenkins]

I was 9 years old in 1966 and I clearly recall this song and Paperback Writer being released. They were inching the new sounds along a little at a time but the innovations were clearly noticed and a side note...I recall being at a swimming pool that summer when a storm came through. They made everyone get out of the pool and some person in tune with the situation selected Rain on the juke box. There suddenly was John Lennon singing along to a downpour through the loudspeakers at the pool. It was a moment I’ll never forget and exemplary of how the Beatles fit into life and touched the moments that would forever remind us of those times.

[@cuebj]

Brilliant memory! And, seriously, very good to get you out of the water. Learned to be wary of lightning - not just direct hits but, when it hits soaking wet ground and travels through the water, it can still harm and kill.

[@celiopereiramarcuci455]

I Also Heard Yellow Submarine on the speaker of a local radio where I lived. I' ll never forget I sent them the Record to play.

[@SgtReinhardt]

i remember flying in a plane over the clouds with the sun starting to rise, and played "I'll Follow the Sun" and when we landed "Back in the USSR" just for that plane sound. I love that i can play Beatle songs at any moment and it relates to something to anybody

[@victorhawkins3461]

I'm willing to bet that whoever fired up RAIN on the juke box at your swimming pool that day went on to become one fine free-form FM rock d.j.! Takes a certain mindset to do that and do it that well...

[@tubular618]

We had a 1951 AMI jukebox (purchased in the early 70's) at home when I was a teen, and the Rain 45 sounded great on it.

[@johnnyanglo6709]

I was eight in 1966, listening to each new Beatles record with my mom, who was a fan. Their music, to me at the time, was otherworldly, uniquely able to produce an ambiance that could be felt in the psyche, which made their dense musical package like a workout, which I could only be on the receiving end of it for about an hour or two. It was an interactive experience that, for me, was emotionally draining in a good way, but like eating too much chocolate needed to be taken sparingly. Rain was an odd enough piece that it was unnerving in its disjointed assembly, which I found intriguing but somewhat unsafe for repeated listening. So, I felt better with the more traditional Beatles tunes with their stable melodies, enticing chord changes, and soaring vocal harmonies, yet without invoking the peculiarness that Rain did as if we were in some foreign territory an eight-year-old shouldn't be. By the time I heard Strawberry Fields and other pseudo-psychedelic songs of that nature, I was less ignorant of musical styles and could now immensely enjoy the journey as the Beatles music carried me along (without involving any drugs). For it remains inspirational at a genius-level composition, unique in its genre, unmatched by any other artist to this day and likey will never be surpassed.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

My mom raised me on Beatles music too and taught me to read from their album covers and books. It's amazing I loved all their music as a little child and still love it the same to this day. That's serious staying power. I really can't recall disliking any of it. Some a bit strange like John with his number 9, number 9. I never really got that but still was intrigued.

[@didimean]

"Rain" is mesmerizing. I never even heard it until I got the Past Masters album. Now it is one of - if not my favorite song of theirs.

[@horse14t]

I get Rain stuck in my head every time it rains in my area!

[@LearnMusclescom]

I hope you live in either the Pacific Northwest or the UK so you can sing this song all the time. :)

[@obbor4]

Me too!

[@skan5728]

With me it's the Rain Song by Zeppelin

[@nuclearferrets]

Hah same

[@davidmutch9822]

same!

[@MrUnderdog-vn3zf]

Paul's bass work took these Beatle's songs to a whole other level of grooviness!!

[@joe6096]

Yes between Paul's Rickenbacker and Emerick's engineering they pushed the bass into a whole new dimension. It went from an afterthought/filler to a serious instrument by every rock band after.

[@Robisquick]

Yessss!!!! Rain is in my top 10 Beatles songs of all time. That harmony in the chorus is so brilliant

[@terencetheturrible5193]

I loved “Rain” (quite literally) from the beginning. I bought the 45 for “Paperback Writer,” but I had already learned never to dismiss the B side of a Beatles single. I can’t tell you how many times I listened to the ending, desperately trying to discern the words John was singing! What language was it? Crazy, but addictive!! I was almost disappointed when I learned that it wasn’t a secret message to true Beatles fans! Loved the analysis and history of the recording!

[@themusicaljunkie37]

OMG. "Rain" is one of my top favorite songs of all time. Every insturment fits so perfectly. The dreamy noisy guitar, the marching yet complex drums, the bouncy bass lines while John's melodious voice and the harmonies behind him swim in the middle of all the swirling sounds. During every long drive, i blast it through my car speakers, singing along, air drumming, air guitar playing, air bass playing. It does feel like a drug trip. It's a timeless psych-pop jam at it's finest.

[@57Jimmy]

I do hope you’re driving through the prairies when playing! If you were on the West Coast, you’ld wind up in a ditch...full of water...RAIN water!😂

[@TakeOffeur]

Hey that's how we find ourselves in the ditch singing backwards! :)

[@disneyscott98]

This channel is the embodiment of "Quality over Quantity." Fantastic video as always. Can't wait for the next one.

[@paoloc.8055]

As of today, October 28th, 2022, the original recording of Rain, at full speed, is available. To think that the closest thing we had to that recording was the excerpt from this video. Awesome!

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

And it turns out the original was even faster!

[@annejacks3995]

Where is the original available?

[@paoloc.8055]

@@annejacks3995 Revolver Super Deluxe edition. It's on Spotify

[@TheMarshmelloKing]

My favorite Beatles song. Transcendent, mystical, no matter how many times i listen to it it never gets old. I think i’m a huge fan of the Beatles B sides, which may not be as well known, but definitely represent some of their greatest achievements artistically.

[@im1who84u]

"You Know My Name, Look Up The Number".

[@normallen3457]

As far as I'm concerned, Paperback Writer and Rain is a double A-side single.

[@secretmessagesaroundthewor504]

B side as I am the walrus...

[@pappatacio66]

Exactly

[@5roundsrapid263]

Probably the best double A-side ever.

[@buffalobraves9]

@@5roundsrapid263 IMO that distinction goes to Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane but its darn near close.

[@rodhatley9427]

My thoughts exactly! I couldn't believe that "Rain" was relegated to being a B-side. I always thought it was a double A-side.

[@rome8180]

Man, that bass line is genius. It plays so well rhythmically and melodically off of everything else going on. You could make an hour long video just analyzing what Paul is doing and why it works.

[@everlastingarms3065]

This. The bass lines are what makes it for me.

[@jimc4839]

Totally agree. I find myself humming the bass when I think of that song. Can you imagine? I'm a dork.

[@everlastingarms3065]

@@jimc4839 I do the same for a lot of songs lol. You're not alone.

[@jimc4839]

@@everlastingarms3065 thanks

[@SgtKaito]

@@jimc4839 As a (not very good) bass player I get basslines in my head almost just as much as lyrics. Bass just sounds so cool when done right.

[@michaelaiello9525]

Both Rain and Paperback Writer were on endless repeat during my youth. The impact on my psyche is still evident.

[@rodwanker4517]

Discovered 'Rain' in 1968 while tripping on LSD. The visualization of the Beatles emerging from the layers of music in colors is still in my head.

[@5roundsrapid263]

“Rain” is probably their most underrated song. It’s definitely the point when they stopped being just “teen idols”.

[@Yahniboy]

I would say Tomorrow Never Knows! That song was way out there. Never before was a song so different

[@breakfastline]

@@mattl2457 i'd say rubber soul

[@martincvitkovich724]

@@Yahniboy It was a great song to listen to while tripping

[@seanoglynch2405]

@@mattl2457 I would consider even their earliest works such as "From Me To You" as being genius too, the key change into the bridge was incredibly clever for pop music of the time.

[@adrianfallavollita3247]

I think Rain marked the end of the dominant guitar sound on Beatles songs. The music that followed placed the Beatles on a higher altitude

[@nicholassands9903]

I always thought of myself as a Beatles historian and certainly I am one, however I have to tell you that your commentary on Rain was one of the most thoughtful, incisive, insightful and wonderfully well written commentaries on any Beatles song that I have ever heard. I have never posted a comment of any kind on KZbin, but I could not resist posting this comment to you as it is so extremely well deserved. Kudos to you and please keep up the great work! Rain has always been one of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring Beatles songs to me... All the best, Nicholas Sands

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

Comments like yours make this whole endeavor worthwhile - I really appreciate the feedback! Hope you’ll stick around for more.

[@chetgallaway]

Agree.

[@redlipstickmafia]

Same here and ditto!

[@schizophrenic_AI]

Thank you for your comment. It may be your first, but you’ve unknowingly become a bit of a trailblazer by including a valediction. Kindest Regards, K.A. 2000

[@robertfrench80]

I agree whole-heartedly!

[@BK-js1hh]

When I was 12 years old in 1966 and living in the bay area I heard Paperback Writer for the first time on AM radio and instantly wanted that 45 record. I raced my bicycle down to the nearest record store and purchased it for probably $2. I raced home on my bicycle and ran into the house and put that 45 on the record player and cranked it up. It sounded more better than the radio playing it. I played it over and over again. My Mom would yell at me to turn the bass down. When I played the B side, Rain had caught me by surprise. It was very good. Ringo's drums and Paul's bass gave me a new feeling that I'd never felt before. I also played it over and over again. My friend at that time had formed a band and he played drums. He found out that I had the 45 record with Rain on it and he'd come over to my house a couple times a week to borrow it and try and figure out the drum riffs from Ringo's drumming. I think that he gave up because it was to difficult to play. I love The Beatles to this day and they all had that special something about them that made their music the greatest. I still have that 45 with the cover sleeve.

[@josephfontana7938]

In 1966 it was probably 49 cents for the single :)

[@limelight8018]

@@josephfontana7938 it was around 90 cents in canada and my sisters still got her 45s

[@johnandrews1780]

The last time i saw John Hartford, a couple months before he died, his band did Rain. The banjo player stated that he always tried to figure out Beatles songs. Not knowing about backwards tapes, he worked out the ending as it was released and said it took him so long he was going to do it and the end of the song. It was perfect🙂

[@michaelthomas9991]

“Rain” is one of the best rock songs ever recorded. It is perfect in every way.

[@blackfinjrblackfinjr3555]

Agree 100% it’s absolutely unbelievable. I consider it The Greatest Rock Band Ever at their absolute best.

[@Helo_rides_for_commies]

Amen.

[@jethroburns]

I was about 14 when Rain came out. I remember listening and looking through the window at the English rain mingled with the sunshine. Yes, Revolver was fantastic but I also think Rubber Soul was quite revolutionary. The Beatles seemed to turn monochrome England into a vivid-coloured landscape.

[@namcat53]

YES.

[@palemale2501]

ME TOO - I did exactly that too - listening to this record on a sunny rainy afternoon in Scotland with my pals. I was 13.

[@jethroburns]

Ah, Scottish rain mingled with the sunshine!

[@palemale2501]

@@jethroburns We often get 4 seasons in one day up here lol.

[@rickketchum8668]

George Martin's genius was truly amazing. He WAS the 5th Beatle.

[@tyrannosauruszeppelin2205]

He literally did nothing of importance to the song. I don't believe him saying he invented the backwards vocals bit, because George (Harrison) and Emerick also confirmed John's story and all the genius studio inventions were thought up by Emerick, not Martin. Martin only produced this song. He is a genius and the 5th Beatle but don't say things like this on a song where he did nothing.

[@Rightsideup]

Geoff Emerick did much more for inovations of Beatles tunes

[@briangoodspeed8807]

Paul 40, John 30, George 20, Ringo 10%

[@Keenan716]

@@briangoodspeed8807 thats untrue, Ringo was vital especially on songs like "A Day in the Life" and "Strawberry Fields"

[@tyrannosauruszeppelin2205]

@@briangoodspeed8807 What does this comment mean at all? How much they were important to the band?

[@matchrocket1702]

I still remember where I was the first time I heard Rain. It completely took hold of me. Adolescence is a special time in one's life. To have the Beatles fresh upon the world at the times makes it even more special.

[@levimust4479]

As a teen in that era, Beatles tunes like Rain and I am the Walrus felt like bolts of lightning in a world of drab. I knew they were something really special even if I didn't know why. At the same time I was spoiled into thinking that, like youth itself, such wonders would keep coming forever.

[@ogedeh]

They do, only our perceptions have dulled with time. New wonders are experienced continually, and fade to drab or become the drab

[@musicjunkie2k]

Both of your comments sum up an awareness I had both considered and dismissed. Thank you both for reigniting it.

[@yenbbc8840]

what a drag it is getting old

[@melvinschofield5423]

Drab? 1966-67?!

[@donaldsaigh8785]

They can keep coming if you know where to look. The Beatles produced many great records with the aid of groundbreaking studio work, but they were not great melodists, and melody is the essence of popular song. Check out the oeuvres of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Harry Warren, and others who created the "Great American Songbook". Their melodies and lyrics endure without the need for studio effects. Songs like "Summertime", "Bess, You Is My Woman Now", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "My Funny Valentine", "Night And Day", "Love Walked In", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "The Way You Look Tonight", and thousands of others from that era of popular song, are more emotionally powerful than anything produced by The Beatles.

[@jamesgang6206]

The best double A side EVER!!! I cannot imagine what hearing this in 1966 was like. They were just sooo far ahead of everyone else..

[@johnbigbooty]

You're right James.

[@itsbobinnit6944]

Well I can tell you that as a big Beatles fan, I and friends knew it and we went around singing it along with a load of the lesser known Beatles songs.

[@fredkruse9444]

I was an 11 year- old fan then. Quite honestly, I wasn't sure if I liked this (or Paperback Writer) as much as the earlier stuff. It took awhile to grasp it-- it was so different.

[@aisforapple2494]

I was given my uncle's 45 rpm collection, orange and yellow label Capitol. I think it was around 1980 when I first heard it. It blew my mind then, and still does!

[@johnbigbooty]

@@aisforapple2494 Remember them clearly. Lucky you! Enjoy!

[@MrSophbeau]

I was a pre-teen when Rain came out and I remember it vividly. It was revolutionary to me, confirming my strange and would be wayward ideas about the transcendental nature of the mundane. Deeper experience is available all around us if we just listen closely and open our eyes. I was feeling these things before I heard the song but I thought I was just being too introspective. Rain told me the Beatles and therefore others were feeling these things too. Everything isn't just as it first appears. Thanks to the Beatles for this gift to a young person in suburban America in the 1960s.

[@pmugglestone]

I was around in 1966 and was entranced with this song. My sister at 15 years old bought the single for the A side, myself at the age of 6 played the B side-Rain-over and over and over. I'm so glad you reviewed it...

[@godoymusikalejandrogodoy3006]

We are talking about 55 years ago: 1966. The Beatles are geniuses. What would music be without them.

[@justin1978]

Give thanks to George Martin

[@aaronjohnson3463]

@@justin1978 you mean after the beatles explained to him wanted they wanted? Still their ideas bud.

[@justin1978]

@@aaronjohnson3463 Nope, George Martin introduced the idea to them 3:40

[@aaronjohnson3463]

@@justin1978 listen to George talk about his contributions... As he has stated on record that Paul especially was pushing more and more creative ideas. So YEP

[@justin1978]

@@aaronjohnson3463 So in this video when he talks about George Martin speeding up the piano part on in my life, you’re saying that it was actually Paul’s idea? What are your sources? Got a link??

[@danielmartin7578]

Hanging out at my friend Alex's house in 1979, I was a 13 year-old Beatles fan who was still discovering tracks of theirs. Alex had the Hey Jude album and was keen to share it with me. Rain came on and, to this day, I vividly remember that moment when I first heard it; the assertiveness of the opening snare drum followed by the psychedelic flourish of that first chord, it was electrifying and, yes, contained so much of what I love about The Beatles. In my imagination, Rain is the sound of The Beatles opening the door to an undiscovered, technicolor landscape. To this day, it is still my favorite track from my favorite period of their career.

[@robertjohnson5796]

Now That is a good paragraph!

[@josephfontana7938]

Couldn't agree more with your assessment. Rain is a brilliant song and think that this is the Beatles at their most prolific time.

[@jjensen4029]

I was living in Renton, Washington, working at my first real job at Boeing Aircraft at 18. Around the corner from my house was a barber shop that had Rain on a judebox. I used to go in there just to play the song, often more than once. The barber had it removed. I loved that song.

[@tomdarby4906]

Rain also highlights an often overlooked talent of Sir Paul....most don't know or have forgotten what a solid bass he contributed to the band

[@jaelge]

Solid, melodious, and intricate, and hard as fawk to duplicate.

[@robertsamson4610]

There was a time when Paul was voted best bass player and Ringo was voted best drummer for the year. I believe it was around the time of Sgt. Pepper.

[@libraryquiet]

+Tom Darby+ Overlooked talent of Sir Paul? Where have you been? Paul's been recognized as the most innovative bass player since the 60's along with his other musical talents. You just came out of your cave recently or what?

[@VictorianDad]

What actually is overlooked is that some of the songs the lead guitars are not played by George but by Paul. Taxman Good Morning Good Morning To name but two.

[@libraryquiet]

@@VictorianDad Did "YOU" just crawl out of your cave? Just about all true Beatle fans know that George didn't play lead all the time The Beatles story has been printed, dissected, analyzed, studied inside and out that even "casual fans" know that George didn't play lead on several Beatles songs. George himself explained in interviews how it was Paul who played lead on Taxman out of necessity because he couldn't think of a proper solo for the song. Heck even John played lead solos, "You Can't Do That and Get Back," just to name two. Overlooked..........., I think not.

[@srkastk]

Rain has always been my #1 favorite Beatles song. I also heard Ringo on a radio show once, asked what was his favorite Beatles song. He said Rain.

[@nealzokan2680]

That's easy for him- on Rain, he plays his best, his drum settings sound the best, and he's not turned down in the final mix like he is on so many other numbers.

[@Matthias-sl6jr]

The other real strong Ringo presence is Abby Road side 2 The Long One medley.

[@eldiablo8580]

"Stare it down and nourish what comes near you" - Japanese genius

[@robgronotte1]

Whenever I sang along to the gibberish, I always got "down and nourish" in there as well.

[@eldiablo8580]

@@robgronotte1 that's amazing. I never thought of that. I had read in a book that Rain contained backwards words at the end and this was before I had ever heard the song, so when I did finally hear it, I always just sang it as gibberish but I suppose if you didn't know that to begin with, you would think it's just John, on drugs, slurring his words 🤭

[@robgronotte1]

@@eldiablo8580 I think I knew that as well, but I still came up with something in order to sing along with that part.

[@eldiablo8580]

@@kevingilliam4332 yes indeed

[@oldbrownshoe52]

😂

[@grampamirlin]

I was 12 when John was murdered, and Rain ☔ was the song that introduced me to the psychedelic Beatles, almost as if I had graduated from the Early Beatles to the later Beatles. I grew up in the early '80s when MTV was new, and I was laughed at and made fun of because I was an over-the-top Beatles fan. When every other teenager was listening to Duran Duran and Judas Priest, I was playing my Beatles records backwards with my finger to hear what it sounded like. 41 years later, I'm 53, and I taught my daughter, and then my Grandson to live the magic of The Beatles.

[@superking208]

The Beatles are obviously on another level from either, but I would still thoroughly recommend Duran Duran and Judas Priest 🙏

[@andyjacobs28]

And now people laugh at anyone who's still into any of those other bands. The Beatles endure.

[@superking208]

@Andy Jacobs Lmao if we're actually talking about what's popular now, I hate to break it to you but there is nothing in this world that young people find lamer than a Beatles fan, except maybe a Beach Boys fan. My personal boomer rock Shangri-La is Pink Floyd, and they're pretty high up there too unfortunately. Duran Duran and Judas Priest are both musically and aesthetically present in the contemporary mainstream in a far bigger way than literally anything from the 1960s -- for example, Ghost has gotten ludicrously big compared to most rock bands these days, and they bear more than a passing resemblance to both those groups -- and I find that loss of interest in the dawn of psychedelia unfortunate but unavoidable :/

[@davidhenry2453]

I was 14

[@lyrebird9749]

@@superking208 Rubbish, plenty of 20-somethings today are listening to and loving the Beatles. I often see young people in the 'hip' parts of town or music festivals wearing Beatles T-shirts. They are more popular now than they were in the 80's.

[@NigelT57]

After the recent release of the speed at which the song was actually played and recorded, it is even more impressive.

[@redrav4]

I'm 59 now so when that song came out I was only 3; being the baby of the family my older siblings listened to Paperback Writer but didn't pick up on the B side til 15 years later I bought the American copy of Rarities on Capitol and also the British Parlophone copy; the British copy had Rain and when I heard it I was flabbergasted! I fell in love with it immediately! Great rock song! The driving guitars and of course Ringo's incredible drumming! 🙂

[@drowsy7921]

That bassline is going to be playing in the back of my mind for weeks. thanks.

[@ElvarMasson]

Base or Bass ?

[@drowsy7921]

@@ElvarMasson thanks for correcting me, i get those two mixed up all the time.

[@chadheckman2693]

@@ElvarMasson Bass is correct. Looks like the fish but it is pronounced like the low instrument in a song, i.e. bass guitar.

[@ElvarMasson]

@@chadheckman2693 No need to inform me about that 😉 I am a musician / songwriter myself. I asked the question because the original comment (before it was edited) included the word "baseline"

[@chadheckman2693]

@@ElvarMasson Cool. I envy you for being a musician/songwriter. It's one of the things I wish I had the talent for.

[@billsmith1957]

Rain represented a shift in musical consciousness, where the Beatles ascended their mop-topped pop combo image to a new level of innovative artistry. This song and "Tomorrow Never Knows" are probably the strongest examples of this ascension.

[@mickavellian]

why oh why everyone thinks that revamping some tired quip from 1965 is going to sound profound ?

[@LEGLANY]

And, Strawberry Fields... forever!

[@DrRobertBeatles]

oh pop sucks and everything else the beatles has done oh yes innovative artistry oh back in my day of course their songs before help suck because pop sucks ergo they sucked oh yes

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

​@@mickavellianpoop off

[@rhythmfield]

In my humble opinion, Rain is actually a very simple, pedestrian little folk ditty, I bet the boys would’ve agreed with me there. The bones of the song… If you strip away all the production and fantastic drumming (I’m a drummer myself & LOVE Ringo on this one), studio experimentation, and the brilliant dressing, you’ve got a cute little song that could’ve easily been rattled off by Peter Paul and Mary or somebody. The real magic happened with the production, performance, and brilliant Audio Engineer really making magic with a fairly simple unremarkable song.

[@jtmichaelson]

I fully discovered The Beatles in 1979 at the age of 11 and for the next several years The Beatles were a forever flow of discoveries and imagination. The White Album was the last album I discovered by The Beatles, and I did that in 1981.

[@siroswaldfortitude409]

George Martin wanted to release the white album as a single album, which would have been an incredible album, but i'm glad it was a double, so we can appreciate the extra gems..

[@kewkabe]

This is probably Paul's most technically proficient bass part too. He nails those 16 notes perfectly.

[@dennismiller9681]

Even as a 6th grader when Rain and Paperback Writer came out I recognized genius, not just pop appeal. There was no song like Rain. No other song had a drum part like it, no simple one measure riff with occasional fills. And the bass part, a lot more to it than roots and 5ths, a whole lot more, way different than any other bass part at the time. And then the contrast from the "verses" to the "chorus" with a non-stop stream of guitar notes switching to half note chords while the vocals hold one word for several measures. Very different. And then of course the reverse vocals. And Paperback Writer was so cool and innovative too. It especially "blew my mind" at the end of some verses the vocals singing "paperback writer" and then the whole combo fades into a mist of tremolo and reverb. Cutting edge stuff for the time. I agree that Rain deserves much more attention.

[@LOUANTON1]

Wasn't it amazing to be opening our minds and ears back then in the mid sixties? Then only thing comparable now is when your children hear these golden gems and react the same but different way.

[@divineatheist5546]

When I started my own band in 1976, I added Rain to our songlist. I was totally under the spell of this song. I played the bass, lefthanded, yeah, thinking I was in my own universe in The Newtles… My Dream…

[@kataking8661]

I swear every time this channel uploads it's like Christmas

[@dylanjhugroo3052]

I never click on any channel's uploads faster than this one ❤

[@BogartSlap]

Rubber Soul to Sgt Pepper, you could hear the Beatles moving to new levels in the kind of music they did. How incredible is it that - when they were already far and away the greatest band ever - that they could advance so much further from there? I mean, they were already at the TOP...and then they just pushed the top about 10 levels higher. :)

[@ricardorusca8190]

I remember this one was one of the songs that had a great impact first time I listened.sounded so fresh and unique .and was from 1966. When I was kid I always thought it just came out on the radio on the 80,s!!!

[@aidanhickey9845]

Probably my favourite A-side B-side pairing they ever released. I often catch myself singing both songs out of nowhere.

[@debrascott1927]

Can I throw All you need is love/ baby your a rich man into the mix for a and b side.

[@oldbrownshoe52]

Don’t forget strawberry fields forever/penny lane

[@borisdisko4322]

I remember finding this hidden gem and saying "Where have you been all my life?" The first real psychedelic guitar song, but sounds like it could be released today.

[@malcolmmcdowell7462]

Rain and Tomorrow never Knows are my favourite Beatles tracks. I think Rain encapsulates the drone/mantra aesthetic of the traditional Indian music through pop sensibility. The genesis of popular music's third eye opening. Bloody hell they were great, the greatest.

[@gregjohnson7270]

I was the young drummer in a rock group with older guys and every Beatles song release was an event. And I have to say that Ringo's elevated drumming totally blew me aaway as I felt he knocked it out of the park on this one and no doubt gave me permission to be more experimental in my own playing.

[@areidskyraider1966]

I was in the United Kingdom on leave from the US Army. I was passing a HMV music store, when I hear them playing Rain on the store's speakers system. I was surprised by the song on how sounded. I purchased, and it is still in my large 45 records collection. Thank you for your reporting on how The Beatles did it. Sargent First Class Aubrey A. Reid USAR

[@tfranks2519]

Thank you for your service, SFC Reid

[@thomashealy6127]

Ringo owns this song his timing is perfect ✌🏻

[@bconman]

I remember from an article back in the late 60's where John said he told Paul and Ringo to go crazy, and play over the top in this one. Ringo never liked to show off, but did what John asked him to do. This was the result. Yes the beginnings of Revolver for sure.

[@morbidmanmusic]

define perfect. But yeah, it "feels" great.

[@tharveytucker1]

Isn’t that the drummer’s only job? Hahaha

[@thomashealy6127]

@@tharveytucker1 It is the drummers job but if he does it wrong everyone will hear it.

[@frankboyd.]

In live chaotic screaming concerts where Ringo couldn't even hear their music Ringo never missed a beat by reading John, George, and Paul's body movements from behind.

[@johncannon9626]

I remember buying Revolver in high school, and it was one of those songs I could not stop listening to - alternating between singing the chorus harmonies at the top of my lungs, and bum bum bumming along to the bass line. And today (50 years later) still finds me doing the same when I hear it.

[@tawpgk]

As a young boy when this originally came out , I played Rain over and over again as loud as I could get away with in my basement. I was mesmerized by Rain. Paperback Writer was epic also at the time. Both were so different than the bubble gummy pop stuff that filled the radio back then... particularly the Beach Boys. Never could stomach silly "California" rock, perhaps because I was nearer to Liverpool in practicality here in NY/NJ. For sure we had more rain here....

[@jimmy5634]

Rain was one of the coolest Beatles songs and part of the forward-thinking musical approach that separated the Beatles from everybody else. I loved it.

[@romulofigueroadiaz480]

Rain is such a perfect song, it’s sad how overlooked it is but it’s also a testament to how fucking amazing the Beatles discography is that this is considered one of their “lower tier” songs

[@Lmclean89]

I think you're forgetting that this song was big at the time. Being a b-side was a huge deal in the 60's and mostly outsold albums back then. Also - for The Beatles, a song being selected to be included on a single was them saying okay... this song is a standout. Yes, if you are referring to the song in today's culture, perhaps it is overlooked. I love it personally and the fact that it slides down unnoticed in their catalog is one of many examples to why they are the greatest band of all time.

[@edquinn8182]

I was 10 years old in 1966. We took for granted all the different music genres that were around then. Music was a flower growing out from a main stem. Everything was electric 🌩 ☀ 🌈

[@maryspencer4975]

It's hard to believe that John didn't like his voice. It's so well-suited to Rain, I'm Only Sleeping, and Strawberry Fields. He always wanted George Martin to modify it. I think his voice is beautiful, with or without modifications.

[@blakeharris1114]

Lucy in the sky song with John's voice synthesized.He wasn't talking about some picture his kid brought home. Who was fixing a hole where the RAIN gets in. Stop the pain.

[@hansvandijk1487]

Listening to ‘I don’t want to spoil the party’ I know what you mean. Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱.

[@keithmills862]

mary - I believe that it WAS John's voice that played a big part in the early Beatles success....listen to songs like "You Can't Do That", "Twist and Shout" ( and he was just screaming on that one ), "Please Mr. Postman", " It Won't Be Long", etc...just friggin' great stuff.

[@iadorenewyork1]

Me, too. In "Julia", his voice shines.

[@kaymuldoon3575]

I love his voice. One of my most favorite sounds I’ve ever heard.

[@MrHellhound1000]

As much as we liked Paperback Writer, me and a few friends, as schoolboys here in the UK, were obsessed with Rain. We played it over and over waiting for the reversed vocal at the end.

[@wolframharms5114]

"Rain" sounds like a very early version of punk music to me - but hey, with so much ingenuity; the BEATLES were true originators; miles ahead of their time! "Rain" will always be one of my top favourite BEATLES songs. It seems so effortless and fresh, still after so many years! Thank you for that GREAT drumming, Ringo - excellent!

[@brwdl]

Rain/Paperback Writer is the very first record I ever bought. I LOVED Rain. I wasn't even stoned yet and I felt like that song changed by life.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Rain. Quite possibly my favourite Beatles song. Along with Hey Bulldog, one of those gems you uncover as you get into ‘deepcut Beatles’!! It’s so good that Andy Partridge borrowed the feel of the song for a number of XTC songs..........brilliant drumming from Ringo too!

[@BigSky1]

Towers Of London

[@simonhodgetts6530]

@@BigSky1 That’s the one!

[@jthomas5722]

Colin borrowed from it too, especially on songs like "What in the World?"

[@teddykypriss1671]

Rain is my favorite Beatle song and I think it’s the best song they ever did..Ringo’s drum fill is iconic

[@jhfit]

Ringo was very underrated. Didn't I hear Paul wanted to get rid of him for not being good enough? I knew he was way above average on the early songs like She Loves You.

[@ivantaub9414]

Rain was an amazing achievement then and now. The Beatles channeled into a creativity that was boundless in its originality but grounded in the tradition of melodic pop music. The odds that four people (and their production team) with the stupendous blend of vocal, musical, and songwriting ability appeared at this moment in human history is incalculable. They still inspire the rest of us making music to transcend the ordinary.

[@jayrobertson3264]

The Beatles were a major part of my life then, and still are now...watching them on Sullivan as a 10 yr old... I begged for a guitar until I got one a few years later...by the time I was 14, I played well enough to be invited to play with a live performance of Charlie Pride, played in bands non stop and eventually recorded in Nashville in the early 80’s... I now have my own studio...still write and record, and the Beatles are still favorites of mine...The Fab Four are eternally Fab.

[@gdholmfirth]

Do you know Stan?

[@Engineer_Who]

Smooth brain: Never heard "Rain." Average brain: "It's a good song, but there's no good way to listen to it." Advanced brain: Listens to "Rain" on the _Hey Jude_ collection. Galaxy brain: "Paperback Writer" and "Rain" are the first two tracks of an extended edition of _Revolver._

[@jonpopper9208]

Me advanced brain ig

[@sunj9444]

If someone does not appreciate the Beatles we must forgive them for poor sense of music.

[@klyvemurray]

I dunno what 'type' of brain I have...But these 4 'Herbert's' from Liverpool can still bring a tear to my 63 year old eyes ☮☮☮ .

[@quikmart1]

Universe brain: Someone is selling something.

[@wjhall307]

I was around in 1966 and through the mists I remember Rain as the song that defined Beatles music. I would say but have you heard Rain. I wish I could remember that first time I flipped the Paperback Writer 45 over and played Rain. But I know it lead me on a search for great B sides until they no longer existed.

[@weiloong7]

Awesome presentation of details which many of us took for granted!

[@danytoob]

I still feel so privileged to have grown up thru those times. I was 15 in '66, and had been thoroughly entranced in Beatle-dom from the start. I was fortunate enough to see/hear them live at Dodger Stadium (they played Paperback Writer). A few days later they played their final live show in the US in San Francisco. For those of you who lived through this time as well, when I say "you had to be there to really understand" ... you understand. And for those who weren't there, I can truthfully say, (quite snobbishly I'm sure), you'll never know.

[@dasaanudasi]

I was there too. I stay in that timeline. (I got close to them, by other friends; who knew them). Hare Krishna

[@TheSanityInspector]

I heard "Rain" as a child and was utterly entranced by it, although it wasn't until many years later that I even learned its name. Just goes to show the genius of The Beatles: This song would be a career pinnacle for any lesser band, but for them it was just a day at the office, a non-album B-side that had to make way for even greater songs.

[@skan5728]

When I was younger I always thought the instruments were too high in volume in comparison to the vocals, but stil loved it

[@billbernstein5313]

Too many comments to read through, but I don't see anybody mentioning that trippy 2/4 bar after the first chorus - "When the sun.....shines..." The drums fill there is spectacular.

[@hebegbk]

This video makes me feel super emotional for some reason... The Beatles have always been my favorite band, among many groups that I've loved growing up, every single album and single by The Beatles just shines with such charm. What people don't realize about the magic and extraordinariness of The Beatles is that they were essentially a garage band started in a little dock town in England, just 4 poor, lonely boys that made 12 amazing studio albums in only 7 years... They worked hard for about 7 years before they even started recording in 1962 to get to that point where everyone in the world knew them only a year after. They had passion, drive, creativity, influence, and so much more. This song just takes enjoyment out of the mundane, showing that The Beatles wrote songs about almost every topic, even when the weather was poor, which it is a lot in England, John found a reason to make a song out of it. Such amazing talent and bizarre drum patterns on this one!