From The Archives: The Beatles – Rubber Soul

This is “From The Archives” a feature where we take a trip back to a previous decade and discuss an album! We will talk about highlight tracks that should not be missed. As well as reasons why we think the album was so influential and successful.

The Album Breakdown

When this album came out in 1965 it was a real turning point for The Beatles. Moving slightly away from their pop sound and toward a more cohesive and mature style.

Lyrically the band look inwards on themselves, with personal themes and folk influences can really be heard. It wasn’t so much about monster hits and more about the entire album.

The record showed that mainstream and growth as artists was possible at the same time. This influences countless bands to were to follow.

Highlight Tracks

A track which oozes confidence, and shows right off the bat how much the band had progressed. With an attitude laden bassline, they somehow still maintained that catchy and accessible feel.

The Beatles – Drive My Car (All Rights Are Retained By The Beatles)

This is much more stripped back and atmospheric, it stars new sounds and textures that the band had previously not played with. It feels really intimate, adding depth to the album. The storytelling theme would be something they continued to return to.

The Beatles – Norwegian Wood (All Rights Are Retained By The Beatles)

If you are looking for the most reflective moment on the album then this is it. A song built around memory and emotion. The balance between lyrics and melody is as if they tested them on a scale. This is one of the band most recognised songs. For good reason.

The Beatles – In My Life (All Rights Are Retained By The Beatles)

Other Notable Albums From The Band

Revolver

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band

Abbey Road

All rights to the songs used in this post are retained by the band/artist. This site claims no rights over them.

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4 responses to “From The Archives: The Beatles – Rubber Soul”

  1. Roger avatar
    Roger

    Ah, the UK version! It IS superior to the US version, but having heard the US version first, it’s also in my head. I remember whenI was about 14 and I read in some teen magazine an interview in which John Sebastian (Lovin’ Spoonful) said that Drive My Car was his favorite song on RS. I said to myself, “No, Drive My Car is on Yesterday and Today.” Shortly after that, I learned about the dual releases and it, in the venacular of the time, bew my mind!

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  2. Sambuca (✿◠‿◠) avatar

    Despite my punk loving side, gotta have respect for the Beatles non??

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Clive avatar

    A great album, one that I have featured in my A Classic Album occasional series.

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  4. richardbist avatar

    Such a great transitional album. I really appreciate how much their songwriting skills advanced in this one, especially Harrison’s “Norwegian Wood”. It feels like Rubber Soul straddles the line between pop and the more experimental rock they moved into with the next few albums.

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