Fab Four Face-Off: What's Your Favorite Song From 'Magical Mystery Tour'?

With the official release of the Beatles' remastered catalog now fully accomplished, Pop & Hiss asks the musical question: What would go on your Beatles mix tape?

Continuing my bids for the best track on each of the Fabs' freshly repackaged long players, this entry considers "Magical Mystery Tour," the ninth album in the series.

Love me or dunk me in strawberry jam for selecting.....

"I Am the Walrus"

If you're sitting there thinking that is ridiculous, I get your point. A more reasonable choice would be the classic pairing of "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Penny Lane": two multidimensional journeys back in time that are both exquisite works of autobiographical fantasy spinning and which together form one of those John-Paul dialogues that, as I discussed in yesterday's entry, make this later Beatles period so rich.

"Strawberry Fields" reminds me of a good Terry Gilliam film: a bizarre trip that's as delightful as it is menacing. "Penny Lane" comes closer to Terence Davies, a sweet but ultimately heart-ripping dip into the details of the past. Each song a masterpiece! Yet here I am, choosing some gibberish.

Why? And if not one or both of those beloved hits, why not the classic singalong "All You Need is Love," or the winsomely wistful "Fool on the Hill," or the lyrically inane yet unforgettable "Hello Goodbye"?

Well. I loved "Magical Mystery Tour" when I was 10, and in many ways I still regard it as a children's album. (I know, we haven't gotten to "Yellow Submarine" yet.) That's one reason to go for John's headlong jump into the realm of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear -- it's kids' stuff at its gutsiest, unapologetically nonsensical and loud and even disgusting. Lennon apparently cribbed the song's ickiest line, about "yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog's eye," from a remembered schoolyard rhyme, and like a real bad student, he put in a bit of Shakespeare at the song's end without even knowing his source. (A broadcast of "King Lear" was playing on the radio during the recording session.)

What a sound this silliness created. Layer upon layer of Beatles, orchestra, background singers and sound effects, all adding up to something actually catchy. So much art rock tends toward bloat; this song pushes at its own seams, but stays catchy. It's a Dali painting, a Bunuel film, a razor across the eyeball.

Plus, like Susan Sontag said, it's against interpretation. How can a critic not smile at the kiss-off?  Lennon apparently was inspired to write a nonsense song to defy a teacher at his old school who was making his student interpret Beatles compositions. What a punk. He didn't want to be canonized. So he gave those expert textperts a crabalocker fishwife and sent them off with a goo goo g'joob.

-- Ann Powers

Photo: Apple Corps.

Comments

[Mike]

"Strawberry Fields Forever" is the clear winner for me, and (depending on my mood on any given day) is probably my favorite Beatles song. It's beautiful, spooky, and like "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "A Day in the Life," redefined the boundaries of what a pop song could be.

That being said, I don't completely consider "Strawberry Fields," "Penny Lane," "All You Need is Love," or "Baby You're a Rich Man" as a true part of this album. So as far as the songs that are from the Magical Mystery Tour film, I would also pick "I am the Walrus," which for me is only just a tick below the other masterpieces. (It was a little easier to parody Lennon's style by that point, as the wickedly funny "Piggy in the Middle" by the Rutles would prove.)

[Gary]

We're in agreement today! As we all know, Mystery Tour isn't a real album; it wasn't even released in England, where the six songs from the TV show were released as a two-EP set. (A two-what huh?). I feel like I have to leave out of the running the 1967 singles which fill side two of the album. "Walrus" is the clear choice from the songs on side one.

But I'd probably go with "Walrus" even if I considered side two. I've always loved this song, and for different reasons over the years. As a kid, I liked the crazy lyrics and the use of strings, horns and voices. Later on, I learned to appreciate the bizarre chord changes and overall song structure.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go kick Edgar Allen Poe.

[Rrossi22]

For its historical significance, I have to go with Strawberry Fields, although an argument can be made for All You Need Is Love for the same reason. The complexity of "Strawberry" makes it a no-brainer. Imagine this song recorded with today's technology! Instead we have two versions pieced together with Lennon's voice slowed down to match them. Even with those technological limitations, the brilliance shines through.

[Serge]

"Strawberry Fields" and "Penny Lane" are two of their best songs period. Followed by "I Am the Walrus,""Hello Goodbye,""The Fool on the Hill,""All You Need Is Love," and "Magical Mystery Tour." "Baby, You're a Rich Man" and "Your Mother Should Know" are pretty good. Hate the other two (sorry Harry Shearer).

[Kate]

Without a doubt, Penny Lane. Penny Lane, in fact, would most likely be one of my top two or three favorite Beatles songs ever. It boils down to the word imagery and the piccolo trumpet, what can I say?

[Stephen Kemp]

"No it's not!" said Little Nicole. Actually, 'Yes It Is' — George Martin has written that John once said, "Let's face it, George. I don't expect to walk into a restaurant in Spain and hear someone whistling, 'I Am The Walrus.'" That's because I've never been to Spain (But I kinda like, uh, you know).

[RJ Money]

I say its "baby your a rich man"

[RJ Money]

You laugh but go listen again - then you may agree

[Dave in Northridge]

ABSOLUTELY "I am the Walrus." Just like "Tomorrow Never Knows" is the best song from Revolver. It was another example of the Beatles stepping out of the familiar, which they did so well.

[Bucky Sinclair]

Penny Lane is my choice. Is it profound enough just to say I love the way it sounds? Early this year, I saw the Fab Faux here in Chicago. There was a genuine rush of joy all through the audience when the band member stepped up and started the mid-song trumpet solo. The entire song is such a great treat for the ears.

[Michael Rust]

Blue Jay Way

[Bill]

Your Mother Should Know. Nice, simple, catchy tune.

[sinziana]

YOUR MOTHER SHOULD KNOW
strawberry fields forever
penny lane
i am the walrus

[brian]

"Your Mother Should Know"

"I am the Walrus"

"Strawberry Fields"

"All You Need is Love"

"Penny Lane"

"Baby, You're a Rich Man"

ok, this is getting ridiculous, why not just ask who i love more, my mum or my dad or jesus or being alive.

wtf.