Many years ago Dave saw Paul McCartney in his tour bus as it pulled out of a semisecret exit from The Hermitage along The Neva River. He took a photo. Ever since the Russian authorities have been trying to track Dave down as he traipses around the globe, narrowly escaping the grasps of evil agents on his tail. Just kidding about the secret agents - but the photograph part is true. Mike gets completely lost trying to play through this very straightforward chord progression, but in the end everyone seems to have had a good time.
Ironically, Dave had a lot of trouble driving his car to Mike's porch to start recording this episode -- there was tons of road construction everywhere, plus end-of-summer traffic. Baby, you can't drive your own car (today)! Mike thinks Drive My Car is emotionally empty and of minimal lyrical effort - plus it sounds maybe a bit parodic of the Motown style the Beatles love and confess to frequently ripping off - but he does like the beep-beeps. Dave thinks Drive My Car is a cute song with some interesting flourishes like the sharp-5 seven chord (which is pretty cool when you think about it). By the time they're done performing it both of them are having a pretty fun time. If you listen carefully you might hear some thunder rolling in the distance.
A kids' song, a Ringo song, a comforting peaceful song. Octopus's garden recalls childhood car rides. Even Mike heard this one as a kid, although he learned the Raffi version first. It's a simple 1, 6, 4, 5 progression with a simple major pentatonic riff to begin. There is strength in the simplicity. At the end of the episode, Mike and Dave try a punk rock reprise with faster music and harsher vocals, just for fun.
Guests Karoun and Richard join Mike and Dave to talk about "Something." Vague title! But maybe you have to be vague when discussing the ineffable. Dave pours his heart out over George Harrison's guitar solo. Mike adores the "B" part with the "I Don't Know"s. Karoun points out the perspective shift that makes the song open up. The gang talks a little about Katy Perry, the "Paul is dead" conspiracy, and when capos were invented. A dog (Mike's dog) really gets barking somewhere in the middle, but be patient, it doesn't take that long. Everybody had some seltzers or nonalcoholic beers, and you should do the same today. It's spring!
Mike likes "Help!" more than he expected, given the cheesy film the Beatles made along with the song. The downstrummy guitars, the faster tempo, the fun chord changes and some cool approaches to background singing make this a top choice so far for Mike. Dave is less stoked about "Help!" but he still thinks it's solid. There are some bird chirps, and the audio recording is a little bit off but this episode still is pretty fun! Of course Mike and Dave do a rendition of "Help!" at the end, don't worry, they didn't forget.
Well well well! Mike and Dave have only a little bit to say about "I Saw Her Standing There." It's a good, fun, uptempo tune, once again owing a lot to Chuck Berry. Mike likes the 7 chords and the yelling/singing. Maybe Mike is more of a Paul guy than a John guy, we'll see. Dave thinks it's better than "Love Me Do," so there's that. Both love the handclaps. Get ready for some hammering and dogs barking in the background. A good quick episode for you this time.
Mike and Dave welcome Melanie and Maryjo to Mike's porch to talk about "In My Life," which we forgot to introduce at the beginning of the episode. "In My Life" is emotionally resonant, a beautiful remembrance, John Lennon processing nostalgia to focus on the present -- according to Dave. According to Mike, it's a strained effort at authentic expression that underscores Lennon's and The Beatles' emotional limitations. Everyone agrees it's a very good song and a big step forward for The Beatles. At the end, Melanie and Maryjo perform it, complete with that crazy piano interlude. The birds chirp in the background again.
Uh oh, Dave *doesn't* love "Love Me Do," one of The Beatles' first singles! In fact, he thinks it's not a good song. Mike is left with the task of identifying what's good about "Love Me Do." The gong-like crash, for one thing, and maybe the harmonica? Anyway birds chirp in the background, and toward the end Mike and Dave play their own rendition. Good episode, for sure.
Mike and Dave discuss The Beatles' "Come Together" on Mike's porch, while birds chirp in the background. BUT THEN some leafblowers and lawnmowers intrude. They end with their own rendition. It's loose, fun, peaceful, but noisy.
