Beatles - Rubber Soul
George Martin commented, "[Rubber Soul] was the first album to present a new, growing Beatles to the world. For the first time we began to think of albums as art on their own — as complete entities." The unusual album title has never been thoroughly explained.
The song Wait was recorded during the Help! sessions. All other songs were recorded in October and November, 1965.
An early Beatles high-water mark, Rubber Soul was written under severe pressure. When recording started on October 12, the band had very little material, and in order to catch the Christmas market, they had to write the songs and record them in just under a month. Adding to the tension, the onset of creative friction between Harrison and McCartney led to the bassist assuming lead guitar duties on some tracks. Paul's loss of faith in George may also explain why keyboard instruments, including piano, harmonium, and Hammond organ, play a greater role in the arrangements. Despite all this, Rubber Soul is a gem. In America, it sold 1.2 million copies within nine days of release, and after charting at No. 1 in the U.K. on December 8, it held off all comers for 12 weeks.
John Lennon: We were just getting better, technically and musically, that's all.... In the early days we had to take what we were given, we didn't know how you can get more bass. We were learning the technique on Rubber Soul. We were more precise about making the album, that's all, and we took over the cover and everything. That was Paul's title, it was like "Yer Blues," I suppose, meaning English soul.
Robert Freeman took the photograph for the cover slick in the garden of John's house in Weybridge. He later wrote, "The distorted effect in the photo was a reflection of the changing shape of their lives".
Side 1
1. Drive My Car
2. Norwegian Wood
(This Bird Has Flown)
3. You Won’t See Me
4. Nowhere Man
5. Think For Yourself
6. The Word
7. Michelle
Side 2
1. What Goes On
2. Girl
3. I’m Looking Through You
4. In My Life
5. Wait
6. If I Needed Someone
7. Run For Your Life