Brian Clemens

Rubber Soul: Listening Guide

Rubber Soul fits at the halfway point of the Beatles discography. Prior to Rubber Soul,
the Beatles had released 5 albums and 7 more to go. Rubber Soul has been seen as the “bridge”
from the Beatles early and later periods. Besides from where the album fits chronologically, it
represents the band embracing new styles and brand-new directions artistically. Though Help
was the first album to show signs of transition, it was filled with mostly tunes reminiscent of
their first couple of albums. Indeed, Rubber Soul still has that 1963- early 1965 Beatles sound
but there are enough tracks on the album to confirm that Rubber Soul was a divergence of some
sort. In addition, Rubber Soul led to a transformation in the world of pop and rock music and
influenced many other contemporary artists. Among the most famous was Brian Wilson of the
Beach Boys who went on to write Pet Sounds as result of hearing Rubber Soul and The Beatles’
next release, “Revolver”. Pet Sounds then in term inspired The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely
Hearts Club Band.

Here are some of the most important tracks on the album and what to listen for:

- Drive My Car
o Distorted guitar intro – distorted guitar not heard that much in the pre-Rubber
Soul catalog
o The incurrence of a sexual innuendo “Drive my Car”. Quite contrasting from “I
Want to Hold Your Hand”
o Bass guitar at the forefront sonically

- Norwegian Wood
o George Harrison’s sitar
o Absence of Ringo’s drum kit
o More mature analysis of interpersonal relationships
o Instrumentation creates a folkloric effect
o Not rock and roll. Beat music, pop, or any style the Beatles were known for at the
time

- Nowhere Man
o Strong melodic theme sung in harmony
o Breaks the third wall and gets the audience involved (isn’t he a bit like you and
me?”)
o Folk-style

- Michelle
o Style reminiscent of French folk music, jazz, and classical music
o Mature and dramatic lyrical style
o Mode mixture, expressive melody, diminished chords
o Highlight’s McCartney’s musicianship and talent as a composer
- Girl
o Folk-like somber sound
o Expressive melody
o Questions serve as a general way of contemplating love vs addressing a specific
situation. Lennon attempts to address how the “girl’s” behavior related to a more
“sophisticated environmental explanation”

- In My Life
o Catchy opening guitar riff – one of the most famous aspects of the tune
o Ballad-like. The Beatles had written and performed slower tunes along this vibe
before
o Mature lyrical content – nostalgia and reminiscing on the past
o Strong melody and harmony – easily could be something written by a trained
composer
o Baroque style piano solo played by George Martin – never done before on a
Beatles recording