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Rating: Some have criticized and continue to criticize this album in the name of the freedom to even tear down sacred monsters. I, on the other hand, defend it. "Beatles For Sale" contains, in my opinion, the first seeds of the new method of composing songs in a subjective manner that would become typical of the Beatles starting with "Rubber Soul," after the marijuana-clouded interlude of "Help!".
This is an album mostly written by Lennon, during his period of leadership in the group, concurrent with his discovery of the Dylan-like way of understanding and conceiving music. This is reflected in the mood that could be defined as "wintery" of some of his compositions, such as the opening "No Reply," with a driving middle section and a bitter lyric, a characteristic shared by the beautiful and pessimistic "I'm A Loser" and "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party," which recounts a situation in which we've all found ourselves (feeling out of place at a party). Certainly worth mentioning are "Baby's in Black" and "What You're Doing," also snapshots of not exactly happy moments and characters, which are contrasted by the sunny and extremely catchy "Eight Days A Week" and the bucolic "I'll Follow The Sun," one of McCartney's very first compositions.
If the album had been composed only of these songs, we would be looking at a much better work than how it presents to our ears, diluted as it is by unnecessary filler covers, among which I only save "Rock'n'Roll Music," already electrifying in Chuck Berry's original version. If you want advice, listen to this album on rainy days, perhaps feeling a bit chilled like the four of Liverpool depicted on the famous cover.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 No Reply (02:18)
This happened once before
When I came to your door
No reply
They said it wasn't you
But I saw you peep through
Your window
I saw the light
I saw the light
I know that you saw me
'Cause I looked up to see
Your face
I tried to telephone
They said you were not home
That's a lie
'Cause I know where you've been
I saw you walk in
Your door
I nearly died
I nearly died
'Cause you walked hand in hand
With another man
In my place
If I were you
I'd realize that I
Love you more
Than any other guy
And I'll forgive
The lies that I
Heard before
When you gave me no reply
I tried to telephone
They said you were not home
That's a lie
'Cause I know where you've been
I saw you walk in
Your door
I nearly died
I nearly died
'Cause you walked hand in hand
With another man
In my place
No reply
No reply
06 Mr. Moonlight (02:37)
Mr. Moonlight
You came to me
One summer night
And from your beam you made my dream
And from the world you sent my girl
And from above you sent us love
And now she in mine
I think you're fine
Because we love you
Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight,
Come again please
Here I am on my knees
Beggin' if you please
And the night you don't come my way
I pray and pray more each day
Because we love you
Mr. Moonlight
And the night you don't come my way
I pray and pray more each day
Because we love you
Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight
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By piergiorgio
"No Reply" ... thirty seconds of magic, one of the highest peaks of the Beatles' expressiveness.
Just like a mother loves and defends her weaker child more fiercely, so the fans are touched by it and listen to it with affection.
