RUBBER SOUL

WOW! I love this album! Others do, too..."I was sitting around a table with friends, smoking a joint, when we heard Rubber Soul for the very first time; and I'm smoking and I'm getting high and the album blew my mind because it was a whole album with all good stuff! It flipped me out so much, I said, 'I'm gonna try that, where a whole album becomes a gas." --BRIAN WILSON, the Beach Boys. Brian then went on to create Pet Sounds, which inspired Paul to create Pepper. Sorry, I had to put Brian's quote up there, I love the Beach Boys!

The Songs
Drive My Car
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
You Won't See Me
Nowhere Man
Think For Yourself
The Word
Michelle
What Goes On
Girl
I'm Looking Through You
In My Life
Wait
If I Needed Someone
Run For Your Life

Drive My Car (Lennon/McCartney)--George got the opportunity to come up with a guitar lick taken from Otis Redding's version of "Respect." Knowing how Paul could be very bossy, (no offense to Paul or his fans), this a YAY! for George! That's my favorite part of the song!

Asked a girl what she wanted to be.
She said, "Baby, can't you see,
I wanna be famous, a star on the screen,
but you can do something in between.

Baby, you can drive my car.
Yes, I'm gonna be a star.
Baby, you can drive my car,
And maybe I'll love you."

I told that girl that my prospects were good.
She said, "Baby, it's understood.
Working for peanuts is all very fine,
but I can show you a better time.

Baby, you can drive my car.
Yes, I'm gonna be a star.
Baby, you can drive my car,
And maybe I'll love you."

Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!

"Baby, you can drive my car.
Yes, I'm gonna be a star.
Baby, you can drive my car,
And maybe I'll love you."

I told my girl I could start right away.
She said, "Listen babe, I got something to say.
I got no car and it's breaking my heart,
but I found a driver, and that's a start.

Baby, you can drive my car.
Yes, I'm gonna be a star.
Baby, you can drive my car,
And maybe I'll love you."

Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!
Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!
Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!
Beep beep, beep beep, yeah!

To the top,Johnny!

Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Lennon/McCartney)--This song introduced the sitar to rock and roll. It was influential as the Rolling Stones later used it on their hit "Paint it, Black."

I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me.
She showed me her room, isn't it good Norwegian wood.

She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere.
So I looked around, and I noticed there wasn't a chair.

I sat on the rug, biding my time, drinking her wine.
We talked until two and then she said, "It's time for bed."

She told me she worked in the morning and started to laugh.
I told her I didn't and crawled off to sleep in the bath.

And when I awoke, I was alone, this bird had flown.
So I lit a fire, isn't it good Norwegian wood.

To the top,Johnny!

You Won't See Me (Lennon/McCartney)--Yay! Mal Evans plays the Hammond organ on this song! Mal was the Beatles' "roadie" and friend, and I'm so glad that he was on this song!

When I call you up, your lines engaged.
I have had enough, so act your age.
We have lost the time that was so hard to find,
And I will lose my mind, if you won't see me, (you won't see me)
You won't see me (you won't see me).

I don't know why you should want to hide,
But I can't get through; my hands are tied.
I won't want to stay, I don't have much to say,
But I get turned away, when you won't see me, (you won't see me)
You won't see me (you won't see me).

Time after time, you refuse to even listen.
I wouldn't mind if I knew what I was missin'.

Though the days are few, they're filled with tears.
And since I lost you, it feels like years.
Yes it seems so long, girl, since you've been gone.
And I just can't go on, if you won't see me, (you won't see me)
You won't see me (you won't see me).

Time after time, you refuse to even listen.
I wouldn't mind if I knew what I was missin'.

Though the days are few, they're filled with tears.
And since I lost you, it feels like years.
Yes it seems so long, girl, since you've been gone.
And I just can't go on, if you won't see me, (you won't see me)
You won't see me (you won't see me).

To the top,Johnny!

Nowhere Man (Lennon/McCartney)--Nothing of the song was changed during the recording sessions for this song from the way John wrote the song. The song was recorded just as the way Lennon wrote it. It was also a single in the US, reaching number three.

He's a real nowhere man, sitting in his nowhere land,
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.

Doesn't have a point of view, knows not where he's going to.
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missin'.
Nowhere man, the world is at your command.

He's as blind as he can be, just sees what he wants to see.
Nowhere man, can you see me at all?

Nowhere man don't worry,
Take your time don't hurry.
Leave it all, 'til somebody else lends you a hand.

Doesn't have a point of view, knows not where he's going to.
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missin'.
Nowhere man, the world is at your command.

He's a real nowhere man, sitting in his nowhere land,
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody,
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody,
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody.

To the top,Johnny!

Think for Yourself (Harrison)--You know that really cool bass fuzz effect on this song? Paul McCartney had to play his Rickenbacker bass through a distortion box to get that awesome effect!

I've got a word or two
To say about the things that you do.
You're telling all those lies
About the good things that we can have if we close our eyes.

Do what you want to do,
And go where you're going to.
Think for yourself 'cause I won't be there with you.

I left you far behind
The ruins of the life that you have in mind.
And though you still can't see,
I know your mind's made up, you're going to cause more misery.

Do what you want to do,
And go where you're going to.
Think for yourself 'cause I won't be there with you.

Although your mind's opaque,
Try thinking more, if just for your own sake.
The future still looks good,
And you've got time to rectify all the things that you should.

Do what you want to do,
And go where you're going to.
Think for yourself 'cause I won't be there with you.

Do what you want to do,
And go where you're going to.
Think for yourself 'cause I won't be there with you,
Think for yourself 'cause I won't be there with you.

To the top,Johnny!

The Word (Lennon/McCartney)--Lennon and McCartney wanted to write a very good song with just one note in it--this is it!

Say the word and you'll be free.
Say the word and be like me.
Say the word I'm thinking of.
Have you heard the word is love?
It's so fine, it's sunshine, it's the word, love.

In the beginning I misunderstood,
but now I've got it, the word is good.

Spread the word and you'll be free.
Spread the word and be like me.
Spread the word I'm thinking of.
Have you heard the word is love?
It's so fine, it's sunshine, it's the word, love.

Everywhere I go, I hear it said
In the good and the bad books that I have read.

Say the word and you'll be free.
Say the word and be like me.
Say the word I'm thinking of.
Have you heard the word is love?
It's so fine, it's sunshine, it's the word, love.

Now that I know what I feel must be right,
I'm here to show everybody the light.

Give the word a chance to say
That the word is just a way.
It's the word I'm thinkin' of,
And the only word is love.
It's so fine, it's sunshine, it's the word, love.

Say the word, love.
Say the word, love.
Say the word, love.
Say the word, love.

To the top,Johnny!

Michelle (Lennon/McCartney)--Mrs. Ivan Vaughn, wife of childhood mate of Lennon and McCartney, worked with Paul to figure out some French words for the middle bit. I have been a Beatle fan for awhile and really can't sing that part...congrats to my school choir who did a great job singing this part on May 22, 2003, at their spring concert--it was great even though I almost died laughing at your dancing!

Michelle, my belle,
These are words that go together well,
my Michelle.

Michelle, my belle,
Sont les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble,
Tres bien ensemble.

I love you, I love you, I love you,
That's all I want to say.
Until I find a way,
I will say the only words I know that you'll understand.

Michelle, my belle,
Sont les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble,
Tres bien ensemble.

I need to, I need to, I need to,
I need to make you see,
Oh, what you mean to me.
Until I do, I'm hoping you will know what I mean.
I love you.

I want you, I want you, I want you,
I think you know by now.
I'll get to you somehow.
Until I do, I'm telling you so you'll understand.

Michelle, my belle,
Sont les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble,
Tres bien ensemble.

And I will say the only words I know that you'll understand,
My Michelle.

To the top,Johnny!

What Goes On (Lennon/McCartney/Starkey)--This is the first song Ringo was credited as helping write, and when asked how much he contributed Ringo replied, "about five words, and I haven't done a thing since."

What goes on in your heart?
What goes on in your mind?
You are tearing me apart when you treat me so unkind.
What goes on in your mind?

The other day I saw you as I walked along the road.
But when I saw him with you I could feel my future fold.
It's so easy for a girl like you to lie,
Tell me why.

What goes on in your heart?
What goes on in your mind?
You are tearing me apart when you treat me so unkind.
What goes on in your mind?

I met you in the morning waiting for the tides of time,
And now the tide is turning, I can see that I was blind.
It's so easy for a girl like you to lie,
Tell me why.

What goes on in your heart?

I used to think of no one else, but you were just the same.
You didn't even think of me as someone with a name.
Did you mean to break my heart and watch me die?
Tell me why.

What goes on in your heart?
What goes on in your mind?
You are tearing me apart when you treat me so unkind.
What goes on in your mind?

To the top,Johnny!

Girl (Lennon/McCartney)--HA HA BREE! My good pal, Briana, was listening to this song one night and I said, "Briana, do you realize what they're singing in the background?" She guessed they were singing, "Do do do do..." Nooooo, listen! It's "tit, tit, tit, tit..."

Is there anybody going to listen to my story,
All about the girl who came to stay?
She's the kind of girl you want so much it makes you sorry,
Still you don't regret a single day.

Ah, girl... girl...

When I think of all the times I've tried so hard to leave her,
She will turn to me and start to cry.
And she promises the earth to me and I believe her,
After all this time, I don't know why.

Ah, girl...girl...

She's the kind of girl who puts you down when friends are there,
You feel a fool.
When you say she's looking good, she acts as if it's understood;
She's cool-ool-ool-ool.

Girl, girl

Was she told when she was young that pain would lead to pleasure?
Did she understand it when they said
That a man must break his back to earn his day of leisure?
Will she still believe it when he's dead?

Ah, girl...girl...

To the top,Johnny!

I'm Looking Through You (Lennon/McCartney)--The U.S. stero version has two false guitar intros, and this song was originally recorded on my birthday! Yay! But...it was remade...oh, well...

I'm looking through you, where did you go?
I thought I knew you, what did I know?
You don't look different, but you have changed.
I'm looking through you, you're not the same.

Your lips are moving, I cannot hear.
Your voice is soothing, but the words aren't clear.
You don't sound different, I've learned the game.
I'm looking through you, you're not the same.

Why, tell me why did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.

You're thinking of me the same old way.
You were above me, but not today.
The only difference is you're down there.
I'm looking through you, and you're nowhere.

Why, tell me why did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.

I'm looking through you, where did you go?
I thought I knew you, what did I know?
You don't look different, but you have changed.
I'm looking through you, you're not the same.

Yeah, baby you've changed.
I'm looking through you, yeah.
I'm looking through you.

To the top,Johnny!

In My Life (Lennon/McCartney)--When John sings about living and dead friends he is thinking back to his Liverpool pals Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Shotton. Paul and John disagree over who wrote what of the song, but either way it's a great song...also recorded around my birthday!

There are places I remember all my life,
Though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better,
Some have gone and some remain.

All these places had their moments,
With lovers and friends I still can recall.
Some are dead and some are living.
In my life I've loved them all.

But of all these friends and lovers,
There is no one compares with you,
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new.

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before,
I know I'll often stop and think about them,
In my life, I love you more.

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before,
I know I'll often stop and think about them,
In my life, I love you more,
In my life, I love you more.

To the top,Johnny!

Wait (Lennon/McCartney)--This song was intended for Help!, but was not used. Later, during the last sessions for Rubber Soul, the Beatles pulled this song out.

It's been a long time, now I'm coming back home.
I've been away now, oh how I've been alone.

Wait, 'til I come back to your side,
We'll forget the tears we've cried.

Well, if your heart breaks, don't wait, turn me away.
And if your heart's strong, hold on, I won't be late.

Wait, 'til I come back to your side,
We'll forget the tears we've cried.

I feel as though you ought to know,
That I've been good, as good as I can be.
And if do, I'll trust in you,
And know that you will wait for me.

It's been a long time, now I'm coming back home.
I've been away now, oh how, I've been alone.

Wait, 'til I come back to your side,
We'll forget the tears we've cried.

I feel as though you ought to know,
That I've been good, as good as I can be.
And if do, I'll trust in you,
And know that you will wait for me.

But if your heart breaks, don't wait, turn me away.
And if your heart's strong, hold on, I won't be late.

Wait, 'til I come back to your side,
We'll forget the tears we've cried.

It's been a long time, now I'm coming back home.
I've been away now, oh how I've been alone.

To the top,Johnny!

If I Needed Someone (Harrison)-- "...like a million other songs wrritten around the D chord." --George Harrison

If I needed someone to love,
You're the one that I'd be thinking of,
If I needed someone.

If I had some more time to spend,
Then I guess I'd be with you, my friend,
If I needed someone.

Had you come some other day, babe,
It might not have been like this.
But, you see, now I'm too much in love.

Carve your number on my wall,
And maybe you will get a call from me,
If I needed someone.

If I had some more time to spend,
Then I guess I'd be with you, my friend,
If I needed someone.

Had you come some other day, babe,
It might not have been like this.
But, you see, now I'm too much in love.

Carve your number on my wall,
And maybe you will get a call from me,
If I needed someone.

To the top, Johnny!

Run For Your Life (Lennon/McCartney)--George liked this song, but not John. He said he took the line "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man..." from "Baby, Let's Play House," and that he only wrote the song because they needed another song.

Well, I'd rather see you dead, little girl,
Than to be with another man.
You better keep your head, little girl,
Or you won't know where I am.

You better run for your life if you can, little girl.
Hide your head in the sand, little girl.
Catch you with another man, that's the end, little girl.

Well, you know that I'm a wicked guy
And I was born with a jealous mind.
And I can spend my whole life trying
Just to make you tow the line.

You better run for your life if you can, little girl.
Hide your head in the sand, little girl.
Catch you with another man, that's the end, little girl.

Let this be a sermon, I mean everything I've said.
Baby, I'm determined that I'd rather see you dead.

You better run for your life if you can, little girl.
Hide your head in the sand, little girl.
Catch you with another man, that's the end, little girl.

I'd rather see you dead, little girl,
Than to be with another man.
You better keep your head, little girl,
Or you won't know where I am.

You better run for your life if you can, little girl.
Hide your head in the sand, little girl.
Catch you with another man, that's the end, little girl.

To the top,Johnny!