Things We Said Today
Reimagining The Beatles’ astonishing 1964 as one perfect alternate album
The Beatles recorded over 200 songs in 8 years.
They recorded 33 songs in 1964.
Artists spend their entire careers in pursuit of 8 or 10 songs that would be remembered for 50 years later.
The Beatles did that every few months.
In 1964 alone, The Beatles released two full albums, a non-album single, a four-song EP, starred in a feature film, and somehow survived the screaming chaos of Beatlemania while touring constantly.
Insane!
I tried to take this incredibly busy year and boil it down to one 14-track album. Things We Said Today isn’t meant to be a “greatest hits” collection. It’s designed to feel like a single unified Beatles LP from an alternate universe.
The album opens with I Feel Fine. People forget how revolutionary this song was. The opening burst of guitar feedback (it happened by mistake but was wisely left in) was a genuine groundbreaking moment in mainstream pop music. John said, “The record with the first feedback anywhere. I defy anybody to find a record – unless it’s some old blues record in 1922…so I claim it for The Beatles. Before Hendrix, before The Who, before anybody. The first feedback on any record.”
Paul’s Things We Said Today is a lesser known Beatles song. This meditation on a relationship features nostalgia inside a relationship - while it’s still happening. Not a common idea for 1964 songs.
And No Reply, along with I’m A Loser, show that The Beatles were moving past boy/girl songs The characters in the songs are awkward and uncomfortable. Bob Dylan’s influence on John was clear. John even called it his “Dylan Period.”
(artwork by TopMajor)
And…personally…Honey Don’t is a wonderful Carl Perkins cover. Ringo handles the vocal with a smile on his face as he calls out George, not once.. but twice. “Rock on, George, for Ringo one time!”
The Beatles. 1964. One album. That’s it. Here’s the tracklist for Things We Said Today…
Can’t Buy Me Love
You Can’t Do That
She’s A Woman
No Reply
When I Get Home
I Feel Fine
Things We Said Today
Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
I’ll Be Back
Honey Don’t
I’ll Cry Instead
I’m Happy Just To Dance With You
I’m A Loser
What You’re Doing
The Beatles still had that energy from the earlier years.
But they were just getting started…
Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:
Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:
Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GjlswaejpAoZgk8w4rswLri&si=LSee29pn0lIjhTOl