The Beatles Evolver Part XXX: 1980-1981
1980 was a pivotal year. It started out with great potential, and ended tragically.
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McCartney II
In 1980 Wings broke up. With this part of the story I keep thinking of an episode of "The Simpsons" where Homer finds out that Paul McCartney has left Wings and laments "Awww...but he was the best one!" Nobody was really fooled by the fact that Wings was a backup band for Paul. However, (and I didn't really appreciate this until I started listening to more of his work from the 80's)...Wings did have its own specific style and sound. When Paul was officially a solo act, he took the music in directions that really wouldn't have fit in with Wings.
McCartney II is one of the more experimental McCartney albums. It's the early 80's and he was playing around with a more electronic sound. I was reminded from this album that it was Paul who started such innovations as working with tape loops long before John did. For the most part, the album is very strange, and not very fun to listen to. But it did have a couple of good songs.
Coming Up - The biggest hit from the album. Most of the instrumentations and vocals are all Paul, with some Linda on harmonies. The video is lots of fun. Paul plays most of the parts with different wigs and costumes. (A lot trickier feat to film in 1980.) I especially enjoy how with one of the characters he's making fun of his Beatle persona.
John Lennon took notice of the song saying he couldn't get it out of his head. It was one of the catalysts that got him back in the recording studio.
Waterfalls - This song was a definite relief after all the manic over the top music on the rest of the album. It's a pretty little song that Paul himself wished had done better. I also enjoyed the way the video was filmed.
Double Fantasy
If memory serves, my mother introduced this album to me as "Half great, half Yoko." After 5 years off, John noticed he was writing songs again for the sheer pleasure of it...instead of out of some contractual obligation. He and Yoko decided to record two albums together. The first would be "Double Fantasy" and the second "Milk and Honey." Jack Douglas, who produced the album with John and Yoko, referred to it as the "Well album." John had clearly worked through a lot of his demons and was enjoying one of the most contented parts of his life.
John saw the album as a sort of message out to other people his age saying "Hey, how are you? Weren't the 70's a drag? Let's hope the 80's will be better."
The album was released in November, 1980. Initially it didn't get great reviews. Critics weren't thrilled with a happy well-adjusted John Lennon. 3 weeks later, all bad reviews got pulled.
Just Like Starting Over - A nice 1950's upbeat sound begins the album. The video, however, is rather poignant.
Cleanup Time - A song from the happy househusband. I picture John singing this song to Sean as he cleans up the kitchen after lunch.
I'm Losing You - This is much more familiar territory for a Lennon song. I think it's about the Lost Weekend.
I'm Moving On - OK forgive me....I had to throw in at least one Yoko song in here. Partly so you can get a feel what the other half of the album sounds like.....and partly because there's a line from this song that's become a family joke. When my mother and I talk about somebody acting crazy, we sometimes use the Yoko line "Don't stick your finger in my PIEEEEEEEE!!!"
Beautiful Boy - John's valentine to his son Sean. Absolutely gorgeous. It also has what is probably the most quoted line from the album: "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."
Watching the Wheels - John's explanation on what he'd been doing for the past 5 years. I especially like the line about "I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall." Geek that I am...I like to think that's a reference to Plato's Allegory of the Cave.
Yes I'm Your Angel - This is pretty different from your usual Yoko song, and it cracks me up. Pretty much it's Yoko trying to write a Gershwin song. You can also sing "Makin' Whoopee" along to the verses.
Woman - John called this song the "grown-up version" of "Girl." I love it...it's rare that you hear a more mature love song.
Dear Yoko - The lyrics pretty much explain anything you'd need to know about this one.
3 weeks after this album was released, John Lennon was murdered outside of his home by a deranged fan who he had just signed his autograph for hours before. On the playlist is included the announcement Howard Cosell made about it on Monday Night Football, which is how most people found out initially.
Paul and George reacted to the news by retreating to the recording studios and working. Ringo and his wife hopped on a plane to go be with Yoko.
Not much I can say that hasn't already been said about John Lennon's death. It was a senseless waste, particularly that 5 year old Sean had to grow up without his father around.
Somewhere in England
This was George's first album following John's death. The single "All Those Years Ago" was quite successful. The rest of the album got a more tepid response.
Life Itself - Pretty straightforward George song about God.
That Which I Have Lost - No back story with this one...just found it enjoyable.
Hong Kong Blues - George doing his own spin on one of two Hoagy Carmichael songs on this album.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Ringo's 1981 album...which was majorly affected by John's death. Originally he was supposed to sing "Nobody Told Me" at a January 1981 session. After John's death he didn't feel right using the song.
Despite the usual help from many amazing musicians....most of the album falls flat. Also is just not pretty watching Ringo to try and do 1980's style music.
You Belong to Me - I thought this was the strongest track on the album. This cover was originally recorded in 1952.
Sure to Fall - Another 1950's cover. The Beatles had actually covered it 20 years before. I've included that version on the playlist as well.
Time Bandits
George was still busy producing films through his company Handmade Films. In 1981 they released the Terry Gilliam film "Time Bandits." George's song "Dream Away" was part of the soundtrack.
All Those Years Ago - Went a bit out of chronological order with this one. Thought it was an appropriate way to end talking about the former Beatles in 1980 and 1981. "All Those Years Ago" was originally a song that George wrote for Ringo. Ringo thought it was way too high for him, and turned the song down. After John died, George revamped the lyrics. Ringo is on drums. Paul and Linda McCartney are on backing vocals. The song is one of George's finest. The video is an interesting example on how far technology has come in 30 years. I at first thought it had been created by a youtube user, as it looked like something I could have put together myself. Here are the lyrics:
"All Those Years Ago"
I'm shouting all about love
While they treated you like a dog
And you were the one who had made it so clear
All those years ago
I'm talking all about how to give
They don't act with much honesty
But you point the way to the truth when you say
All you need is love
Living with good and bad
I always looked up to you
Now we're left cold and sad
By someone more than the devil's best friend
Someone who offended all
We're living in a bad dream
They've forgotten all about mankind
Yet you were the one they backed up to the wall
All those years ago
You were the one who imagined it all
All those years ago
Deep in the darkest night
I send out a prayer to you
Now in the world of light
Where the spirit free of the lies
All else that we despise
They've forgotten all about God
He's the only reason we exist
Yet you were the one they said was so weird
All those years ago
You said it all thought not many had ears
All those years ago
You had control of our smiles and our tears
All those years ago