MovieChat Forums > Magical Mystery Tour (1967) Discussion > Worst Beatles Song Ever

Worst Beatles Song Ever

posted 20 years ago by Shaolin_Apu
186 replies | jump to latest

The Question is: what would be the Beatles song that never should really have been written?

There should be some criteria first.

Worst early song?

Worst late 60's song?

Worst solo album song?

For early songs the worst could be I Need You, You Like Me Too Much or Hold Me Tight. I shouldn't really choose any early Harrison songs, because he was just practicing song making, but they are not really good songs. 'Hold Me Tight' just don't work: Paul had intended to do a Motown song and probably nobody wanted to co-operate with him.

For later 60's songs there would be Being for the Benefit of Mr.Kite, 'cos it really sounds bad. It's like a nightmare about circus. Or rather if you have a bad flu and try to sleep, and you're dreaming about circus and you have to cough and wipe your nose, and you don't really know whether you're wake or dreaming.

Worst solo album songs for John would be 'Remember' on his first solo album. It's too simple and monotonic. It's so bad that even I could have done better song and lyrics.

Paul's worst song might be 'Average person' on album 'Pipes of Peace'. Paul is master of melodies, but this is silly stuff. Another almost as bad is 'Famous Groupies' on 'London Town'. I remember there is some really odd song on the 'Back to the Egg' album, but luckily I don't recall its name.

[–] hewitt85 20 years ago

I'm not familiar with much of the Beatles early work (pre - Rubber Soul), but they could have done without "All Together Now."

[–] Shaolin_Apu 20 years ago

Thanks for an opinion (I've been waiting for some awhile).

"All Together Now" could be a nuisance for someone, I agree. But it has been heard sung in the English soccer matches by the audience. I don't really know whether it is still sung, or was it just in the late 60's.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] beatlebuckaroo 19 years ago

Did you know that the entire song is just the G chord played over and over again?

I agree that that song was pretty bad but you gotta admit that it's catchy.
A friend and I had it stuck in our heads for at least a month.
Singing it only makes it worse

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] beatlebuckaroo 19 years ago

I'm talking about
All Together Now

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] beatlenut8 11 years ago

Do you know what you're talking about at all? It's got three chords G C & D

[–] cgil02 12 years ago

no way man. I love that song since the first time I heard it, there are people who do like it.

[–] [email protected] 20 years ago

Well, I like 'Mr. Kite' *because* it sounds like a circus nightmare - I'll put 'Blue Jay Way' in its place. Now that song sounds like the flu.

[–] Shaolin_Apu 20 years ago

Quite.

I'd still emphasize that even the worst of the Beatles is still relatively good stuff. John Lennon himself said that 'Run for Your Life' was his worst ever.

Another fine monument of illogic by an author called Puukkoo.
No suit - no tie - no service.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Wrongolini 20 years ago

Wild Honey Pie is brilliant.

[–] johnozed 20 years ago

Blame Pattie Boyd Harrison Clapton. She told Paul to keep it on the album.

you say you'll change the Constitution well, you know, we all want to change your Head

[–] knawdas 19 years ago

Nah, there's nothing wrong with "Wild Honey Pie". The White Album is brilliant in its randomness.

[–] Shaolin_Apu 19 years ago

You're correct. The White Album in an entirety is brilliant, even if some of its songs are alone pretty weak but even them support effectively the total idea.

The Apple Scruffs Corps Hon Mbr 05
Chuck Norris expects Spanish Inquisition

[–] 21bostoncalifornia 20 years ago

Ha ha, I totally disagree with your choices.

"I Need You" and " You Like Me Too Much" happen to be two of my favorite songs.
They are early Harrison, and they are indeed simple, but they sound so good!
I love the keyboard part on Like Me Too Much. It's perfect.

Being for the benefit of mr. Kite is also an important song for all the techniques and sounds it pioneers.

My least favorte songs are mostly in the early years, with songs that were just bland fillers like Mr. Moonlight, Words Of Love, Chains, Anna (Go To Him), There's A Place
There are a few later songs that are kind of annoying like Wild Honey Pie and Revolution 9.

[–] Shaolin_Apu 20 years ago

Come on dude, let's all disagree with each other. (I want just everybody to have his own choice and opinions).

I agree with you, that those early Harrison songs have good instrumental parts. George just wrote something as an excuse to play more advanced guitar techniques.

Good heavens, I love Mr. Moonlight! (Especially the version played in Hamburg '61). I also love There's a Place, because I see it as an early 'Strawberry Fields Forever'. Revolution 9 is not much of a song, but it's so weird that I like it.

Another fine monument of illogic by an author called Puukkoo.
No suit - no tie - no service.

[–] majestikmoose9 20 years ago

Mr. Moonlight is crap. The only good part is John's powerful intro, and then the rest is just... blah.

[–] lesg2 19 years ago

Revolution #9 is the absolute worst.
In the early 70s,I was compelled to buy every Beatles record I could get my hands on,because it was a virtual guarentee that all their songs were worth repeated listens.
Then came #9, my first experience with filler and Yoko Ono.
It's pretty obvious that Yoko played a major role in the Beatle's break-up.
The Beatles were a ship without a rudder after Brian Epstein's death and this caused the door to open for Yoko to horn in,disrupt and destroy this, the most fabulous musical collaboration of my time.
#9 was the beginning of the End.

[–] Maisybell-1 19 years ago

Mr. Moonlight, Anna (Go To Him) and Chains, were not even written by the Beatles.

Revolution 9 is THE ONLY song I don't like.

[–] MartyMacFly 20 years ago

Worst early song: "Tell me what you see". Possibly.

Worst late song: "Revolution 9". If it is not considered a song, take "It's all too much", for example.

Worst solo songs: John: "Meat City". Paul: "Temporary secretary". George: "Save the world". Ringo: "Old wave".

[–] joostvrieler 20 years ago

The Beatles I think were the greatest band on earth. Still: there's room for criticism ofcourse. There are only two some bad songs: 'Wild Honey Pie' and 'Revolution 9'. They're just a lot of noise, nothing more. There are some songs that just are too silly for me: 'Ob-la-di Ob-la-da', 'All Together Now', 'Mr. Moonlight' and 'Flying', for instance. And there are songs that I think are badly performed, songs like: 'Slow Down', 'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby', and 'Don't Pass Me By'.
From the solo periods I must confess I skip almost everything from John except 'Plastic Ono Band', 'Imagine', 'Rock 'N' Roll' and 'Double Fantasy'. 'Walls And Bridges' and 'Mind Games', let alone 'Some Time In New York City' just don't do it for me. These songs I really dislike: '#9 Dream', 'Woman Is The *beep* Of The World' and a lot of obscure stuff on the Mind Games-album. Paul has done so much that it's almost not fair to mention the songs I like the least, but here they are: 'Bogey Music', 'Temporary Secretary', 'Ebony & Ivory', 'Let's Have A Party', 'Really Love You', 'Kreen Akrore'. George's solo career needs to be plugged, it is incredibly good. However, songs like 'Save The World', 'Bye Bye Love', 'Cockamamie Business', 'Run So Far' and the whole 'Apple Jam'-disc from 'All Things Must Pass' I could have easily lived without. And then Ringo, well Ringo... He did one really good album called 'Ringo', which I love from the beginning 'till the end. But that's about it. He had some fine singles and reasonable albums ('Time Takes Time' and 'Vertical Man' for instance) during the years, but he sure made a lot of crap. Especially his latest album 'Ringo Rama' sucks all the way, mainly due to the production to be honest. Give it a listen, and you'll know what I mean. To give at least a few bad songs of Ringo: 'Hey Baby', 'Back Off Bugaloo' (mind you: not the single version but the version on 'Stop And Smell The Roses'), 'Instant Amnesia', 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You', 'Old Wave'. Brrr.
But still: there is so many wonderful music. Listen to 'Rubber Soul', 'Revolver', 'Abbey Road', 'All Things Must Pass', 'Ringo', 'Imagine', 'Band On The Run', 'Brainwashed' and 'Flaming Pie', and you know why these four guys from Liverpool were the greatest. From John's beautiful and honest songs, Pauls happy and sometimes unconventional melodies, and George Indian influences and spiritual search to Ringo's unconstrained and uncomplicated musicianship. Gotta love them!

[–] Shaolin_Apu 20 years ago

About those covers by the Beatles...

'Slow Down', 'Honey Don't' and 'Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby' are quite badly performed on Beatles discs. That last one is really not much worse than Carl Perkin's original. Actually Beatles' version is even better than the loose original. The song probably only works when performed live at some redneck-bar.

On 'Live at the BBC' are better versions of 'Slow Down' and 'Honey Don't'. When John is in his 'mood' he can sing very well both of those songs. 'Honey Don't' when performed by John gets even magical. When Ringo sings it whole performance turns into joke.

Another fine monument of illogic by an author called Puukkoo.
No suit - no tie - no service.

[–] Jasper-Black 20 years ago

Man if John Lennon hadn't been cremated he'd be rolling in his grave right now (rather than spinning in his cookie jar [Urn])

Maybe I'm too ardent of a fan when I say there aren't really any good or bad tunes. I've heard a fair share of my Beatle music and I gotta' say for me, each tune is it's best in it's own right, except for Revolution 9, Yoko Ono can go to hell.

"It's a terrible thing to say but a funny thought to think" -Oxnard Montalvo

[–] Cbak 19 years ago

Each to their own. I thought #9 Dream was one of John Lennon's most beautiful songs.

[–] sjmartin111 19 years ago

#9Dream is such a powerful, painful, deep song. Written by a songwriter who was clearly in touch with his emotions. The overwhealming feeling of longing in the song is heartbreaking, as well as being surprisingly uplifting at the same time. Power to the people!

[–] vilness 20 years ago

HOW CAN ANYONE HATE THE SONG "It's all too much" its so catchy and the intro is intense for a 60's song...sneeze

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] Shaolin_Apu 19 years ago

If there's "best" of "favourite", then there should be "worst" or "the least favourite" ones as well. Don't get over-sensitive, this is not that immoral question.

The Apple Scruffs Corps Hon Mbr 05
Sharp as a thimble

[–] cgil02 12 years ago

temporary secretary grows on you, you gotta listen to it a bunch of times though. A bunch of people think it was revolutionary.

[–] epowelson2002 20 years ago

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da; undoubtedly.

[–] brendanchenowith 20 years ago

Obla Definitely Obla Damn Right.

Usually with some songs that aren't as good as others, at least they have some hook, some redeeming quality. Obla Di Obla Does Not. The better version is the one on "Anthology". Somebody really dug their own grave when the rights to this song was sold to the producers of "Life Goes On" and the cast sang it over the opening credits. I wanted to step out in front of the next train.

There are also others that grew on me over the years. I absolutely hated YOU KNOW MY NAME, LOOK UP THE NUMBER, but with its strong piano intro and the silly noises and the great bass and percussion during the "Denis O'Bell" section, it eventually won me over.

COFFEE, VIOLET - - - NOW!

[–] Shaolin_Apu 20 years ago

Comments by Denis O'Bell:

So far the two melodic Macca songs 'All Together Now' and 'O-Bloody o-Blade-a' have been mentioned. It is true that many people find these songs in C-major rather annoying. This cannot but to lead into conclusion that 'Hello Goodbuy' suits well in the ranks with those two. They're too much sugar. And nothing is good in excess.

Another fine monument of illogic by an author called Puukkoo.
No suit - no tie - no service.

[–] therealboyboy 20 years ago

I hate:
Ob La Di Ob La Da
I believe it was voted worst song ever in the UK
and
Octopus' Garden
The beatles probalby thought:
"hey Yellow Submarine worked, lets get Ringo to sing something about the sea"
But the sad part is that it didn't work.

[–] Shaolin_Apu 20 years ago

Octopus Garden is another song in C-major, and that was because Ringo could not compose more complex songs that time. He was still a drummer and not a composer. Children like all that stuff anyway.

Another fine monument of illogic by an author called Puukkoo.
No suit - no tie - no service.

[–] joostvrieler 20 years ago

I agree wbout your comment on 'Hello Goodbye'n Puukkoo. I dislike that song as well, perhaps it has to do with the sillyness of it all. That just doesn't work for me. 'Octopus's Garden' on the other hand I like. Remember: that was not written FOR Ringo, but written BY Ringo. And I really love the superb guitar playing by George Harrison on that track. For me, it's the guitar that has the lead vocal, not Ringo's voice.

[–] [email protected] 17 years ago

Apparently Ringo heard that octopuses gathered attractive objects around their homes, and that inspired him to put a song together, as well it should - that is pretty cool.

[–] j-tutton 17 years ago

oh bla di is patronising , racist spew . A huge error of judgement

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] walrus29 20 years ago

Wow, I really enjoy a lot of The Beatles's music that's being criticized. I think a lot of the selections on here are just being attacked more of personal interest instead of quality. After all, The Beatles covered a large variety of musical styles, so of course not every song will float the average music fan's boat. I also think a lot of their music, especially most of John's songs, had points or goals to make, either through the song's meaning or by its musicality, and a lot of times, that's misunderstood and just called "silly" or "just plain noise," when in reality, the accuser just didn't get the song's theme.

Now, having that been said, I will actually be a good poster and answer the question! :) As far as the "worst" song, I don't really know what that would be. I remember George Martin talking about the White Album, so that sticks out in my mind. He said that he tried to encourage the boys to make a single disc album, but they were at such a going-their-own-ways period that they ended up making the double-disc set. Martin said that, still today, he looks back and thinks a lot of that music should never have been released. I really think The White Album is one of their top works, but I have to agree with several of you on IMDB.com and say, "Wild Honey Pie" wasn't really the best the Beatles could offer. Granted, though, it WAS just sort of an interlude.

And on a more personal take, I have to say that if I ever tried to introduce someone to The Beatles, I would not have them listen to "Mr. Moonlight."

As far as the solo works goes, I have to say one song that isn't bad by any means but just bothers me is one of Paul McCartney's more recent singles, "Freedom." Written in reaction to 9/11, It just seems to have such a go-to-arms lyrical stance; however, I know McCartney made a few comments suggesting his disapproval of how we handled the war on terrorism. There's something about the song that makes it sound almost like McCartney adapted the average person's attitude to sell a single. It's not a very heartfelt-sounding song.

Of course, it's still good, and perhaps I'm just being too analytical and need to give old Paul a break. There is a good chance I've completely misunderstood it, also!

[–] Shaolin_Apu 20 years ago

Lol. He probably made up 'Freedom' in five minutes. Not impossible from him, but true, it was not the Second World War that time.

Puukkoo
Play it again, Frank, I don't give a damn.

[–] bruno_sa 20 years ago

I must admite that, when talking about worst songs for the Beatles, these come to mind:

Penny Lane, The Fool On The Hill, The Long And Winding Road, Lady Madonna, The Ballad Of John and yoko...

I know you probably think i'm crazy but whenever these tracks begin it's time to skip! I really can't explain why, i just can't stand hearing them. Anyway, just an opinion ;)

[–] majestikmoose9 20 years ago

Are you out of your mind? Penny Lane is pure genius, easily McCartney's best song. The Fool on the Hill is another classic and should never be skipped. I do dislike the LET IT BE version of The Long And Winding Road (try the Anthology 3 version or the Let It Be... Naked version, which are much better). Lady Madonna is classic! The Ballad of John and Yoko is one I never used to like, but it's grown on me.

[–] valro 20 years ago

I'm quite familiar with their material so here are my picks:

Early: Mr. Moonlight
Late 1960s songs: You Know My Name (Now Look Up The Number), Revolution #9
Solo Effort: Paul McCartney's "Freedom"

[–] cgil02 12 years ago

you're *beep* high off your ass, you know my name is brilliant.