Trying to maintain good relations with a communist is like wooing a crocodile. You do not know whether to tickle it under the chin or beat it over the head. When it opens its mouth, you cannot tell whether it is trying to smile or preparing to eat you up.
- Winston Churchill
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Pet_Sounds' Top 50 Beatles Songs
#'s 42 & 41: Back in the U.S.S.R. / Dear Prudence
Today, I listened to The Beatles for the first time in about three months. What better time to revive my countdown?
The White Album is sketchy as a whole. However, it starts with formidable one-two punch. "Back in the U.S.S.R." is a great way to open an album--catchy, fun, and tongue-in-cheek. Being a Beach Boys parody, (Mike Love even helped Paul write it) it's also one of the first Beatles songs I heard.
Ringo walked out during the album sessions, so the myth is that Paul McCartney played drums on the song. While it's likely that Paul did most of it, each of the non-drummer Beatles recorded a drum track, and the final product is probably a composite.
It segues into "Dear Prudence", a lovely Lennon tune with nice fingerpicked guitar (a technique John picked up from Scottish singer/songwriter Donovan and would also use on "Julia"). I love the way it builds up, with each instrument coming in seperately.
What a shame the rest of the album didn't live up to those two songs.