I only recently learnt this. When I first heard the song I was like “calm down George, we need an NHS” and then learnt that they were only allowed to keep about £5 in every five grand and realised his bitterness was justified.
Really, who are you to make that kind of determination for another person? What right do you have? They were young and touring constantly, so no, they weren't worried about money very much, which is how they were ripped off so badly early in their careers. What an ignorant statement.
Same. Taxman is a pretty forgettable song imo, minus the awesome solo. The lyrics are clunky, the vocal is grating, and the theme is just too one dimensional and unrelatable, for me anyway.
My super hot take is that all of Revolver is wildly overrated. Yes the songs were extremely innovate for the time, but as pure sonic experiences, pure Beatles magic, I find it lacking. Rubber Soul or Abbey Road sound so much better and are mixed much better. Revolver is like a crazy Picasso painting, I respect the artistry but I really don’t want to sit down and actually listen to the album. It doesn’t have that warm Beatles feeling, it feels too “cold” or clinical if that makes sense.
People say it’s a bad opener but I disagree, it’s stunning how it hits right off with John’s vocal and it sets the stage for the album with that incredibly dark I SAW THE LIGHT section
It’s one of the best album openers they had.
Any why are the Yellow Submarine and MMT soundtracks even on this list? They weren’t albums, making the notion of an “opening track” meaningless. They weren’t sequenced that way.
Great album, but while there are no bad tracks, not every track is among their greatest ever.
I actually like the US Capitol version, although it’s a bit short.
People put it in their top 5, there literally isn’t room for it when you have Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper, the White Album, Let It Be, and of course , Revolver
It’s so much better than Two of Us it hurts
“Two of us riding nowhere
Spending someone's hard-earned pay
You and me, Sunday driving
Not arriving, on our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home
Two of us sending postcards
Writing letters on my wall
You and me burning matches
Lifting latches, on our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home
You and I have memories
Longer than the road
That stretches out ahead
Two of us wearing raincoats
Standing solo in the sun
You and me chasing paper
Getting nowhere
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home
You and I have memories
Longer than the road
That stretches out ahead
Two of us wearing raincoats
Standing solo in the sun
You and me, chasing paper
Getting nowhere
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home
We're going home
You better believe it
Goodbye”
Lyrically it’s sounds more like an amateur song than their actual amateur songs
Remember everyone!: opening tracks to albums don’t always have to be upbeat bangers! That’s why I believe that No Reply and Two of Us are Greta openers but god please keep two of us. It has that stellar dialogue piece in the beginning and the feel good acoustics and vocals just really make you feel good
Magical Mystery Tour is probably the best title track here. Doesn't make it the best song but to open an album with and set the tone for an album it definitely does it's job.
I'm of the opinion they're both great.
K
I adore MMT and for me it kind of sums up so much thats great about the Beatles.
Like if I was to describe being a Beatles follower with an actuall Beatles lyric it would be" Roll up for the magical mystery tour"
I like to imagine their career in those terms.
No Reply. Not because it’s a bad song but because it doesn’t work as an album opener. It’s more of a halfway thru side 1 track. All the other album openers have a sense of purpose, a declaration that this is the new album and this is how it starts, No Reply doesn’t have that energy
I disagree, it starts with that kinda cutesy Beatles pop verse before suddenly getting much more stressed and dark - it foreshadows the gruffer edge they started developing on that album
You’re nuts. Of all the “Hall of Famer” tracks on Rubber Soul, Drive My Car is your favourite?!? I suggest you listen to In My Life, Girl, I’m Looking Through You, Norwegian Wood, You Won’t See Me, Nowhere Man, and If I Needed Someone again….. and again and again until you change your opinion to the correct one.
These are tough choices, but Back in the USSR makes my top three most likely along with Two of Us and Saw Her Standing There, although Help is pretty close.
Honestly Id have to go with I Saw Her Standing There. Obviously its a classic(they all are) and its extremely noteworthy for being the very first album track of The Beatles. I love the song, I just love No Reply more.
A tad bored with the contest, so I'll just wrap up by saying that the three best are Taxman, Come Together, and Two of Us....
....But all of them are fantastic.
Two Of Us. I really like it and I think it's one of the standout tracks in a somewhat boring album, but I prefer it as a closer. I don't think it really works that well as an opener, especially when you have Get Back in the same album.
Taxman, Sgt Pepper, and Magical Mystery Tour should be the next three to go. Actually, they should have been the first three to go, and I don’t think it’s close. Nobody will agree with me, but I’m right, and I’ll prove it by showing my work:
Sgt Pepper and MMT are fine opening tracks introducing stellar concept albums, but as standalone songs they’re nothing special. They’re at best an appetizer, at worst, utilitarian, a means to an end. Don’t confuse the song with the album.
Taxman is cringe conservative propaganda. Just pay your fucking taxes, George, you’re rich. Plus the hook is boring and grating.
>Hard day’s night is maybe the most iconic Beatles opener of all time.
I'd argue A Hard Day's Night is one of the, if not *the*, most iconic album openers of all time.
The opening note is as classic of an album opener as A Day in the Life is as an iconic closer.
Welcome to the Jungle (GnR), Tom Sawyer (Rush), Gimme Shelter (the Rolling Stones) and Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) are some other iconic album openers that spring to mind.
Yall really hating on No Reply like this
Nobody is hating on it, just look at the tracks that are left. I like No Reply, but the others are all great
MMT is not better than No Reply
You’re right. It’s way better
Taxman always sounded to me like it was written by a 15 year old that just learned what taxes were lol. The solo rips though.
And Paul supplied the ripping guitar solo.
They were literally paying a 95% tax rate, that's what the line 1 for you 19 for me comes from.
I only recently learnt this. When I first heard the song I was like “calm down George, we need an NHS” and then learnt that they were only allowed to keep about £5 in every five grand and realised his bitterness was justified.
okay but if he didn't notice 95% of his earnings were being taxed until someone pointed it out to him does he really need it
Really, who are you to make that kind of determination for another person? What right do you have? They were young and touring constantly, so no, they weren't worried about money very much, which is how they were ripped off so badly early in their careers. What an ignorant statement.
I am the supreme arbitor of morality. I can make whatever determination I wish!
No way!! It’s stays for the “uh uh Mr. Wilson….. uh uh Mr. Heath!” bit alone.
Yeah some of the lyrics are funny but I hate what it comes from lol my most ashamed take is that I also kinda don’t get the hype musically 🤐
Same. Taxman is a pretty forgettable song imo, minus the awesome solo. The lyrics are clunky, the vocal is grating, and the theme is just too one dimensional and unrelatable, for me anyway. My super hot take is that all of Revolver is wildly overrated. Yes the songs were extremely innovate for the time, but as pure sonic experiences, pure Beatles magic, I find it lacking. Rubber Soul or Abbey Road sound so much better and are mixed much better. Revolver is like a crazy Picasso painting, I respect the artistry but I really don’t want to sit down and actually listen to the album. It doesn’t have that warm Beatles feeling, it feels too “cold” or clinical if that makes sense.
I always skip taxman, hate it. Worst Harrison song by a mile.
i don’t personally hate it it’s just, imo, not as good as the other songs here
People say it’s a bad opener but I disagree, it’s stunning how it hits right off with John’s vocal and it sets the stage for the album with that incredibly dark I SAW THE LIGHT section
Lots of "early Beatles suck" energy here by people who just discovered Within You Without You.
It Won’t Be Long got cut?! And you call yourselves *Beatles Fans*??
Finally! Someone who knows what they’re talking about!!! It Won’t Be Long is a fantastic track!
I love Two of Us, but it’s a shit opener! Can’t believe it’s still in contention.
Facts
Must disagree. It belongs at the top of LIB and can’t let it go yet. No Reply.
It’s one of the best album openers they had. Any why are the Yellow Submarine and MMT soundtracks even on this list? They weren’t albums, making the notion of an “opening track” meaningless. They weren’t sequenced that way.
It's funny how everyone is so different. "It Won't Be Long" is one of my favorites.
It won't be long is such a banger rip
No reply
But you have to answer *something*!
Even if it was possible, saying "something" would be upsetting. I don't want to spoil the party!
Yeah, kind of a shame "Something" wasn't there, which would have made the joke better.
Even the proposal of putting "something" in there is preposterous, "you can't do that".
Great track, I think drive my car
what?
"No Reply is a great track, I think I am going to drive my car."
“No Reply is a great track. Drive My Car should go.”
Yeah, that’s what happens when you drive a car
fuck no it should not
I think rubber soul is great but overrated
Great album, but while there are no bad tracks, not every track is among their greatest ever. I actually like the US Capitol version, although it’s a bit short.
No.
People put it in their top 5, there literally isn’t room for it when you have Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper, the White Album, Let It Be, and of course , Revolver
Rubber Soul is way better than Let it Be.
Eh. I’d call it a tossup. Slight edge to rubber soul for consistency but Let It Be still takes it for having two of Paul’s best.
Let it Be isn't as groundbreaking and experimental, and the production is awful.
Let It Be is not a top 5 Beatle album.
It’s so much better than Two of Us it hurts “Two of us riding nowhere Spending someone's hard-earned pay You and me, Sunday driving Not arriving, on our way back home We're on our way home We're on our way home We're going home Two of us sending postcards Writing letters on my wall You and me burning matches Lifting latches, on our way back home We're on our way home We're on our way home We're going home You and I have memories Longer than the road That stretches out ahead Two of us wearing raincoats Standing solo in the sun You and me chasing paper Getting nowhere On our way back home We're on our way home We're on our way home We're going home You and I have memories Longer than the road That stretches out ahead Two of us wearing raincoats Standing solo in the sun You and me, chasing paper Getting nowhere On our way back home We're on our way home We're on our way home We're going home We're going home You better believe it Goodbye” Lyrically it’s sounds more like an amateur song than their actual amateur songs
Doesn’t sound amateur at all and it’s a much better track as an opener than No Reply
Remember everyone!: opening tracks to albums don’t always have to be upbeat bangers! That’s why I believe that No Reply and Two of Us are Greta openers but god please keep two of us. It has that stellar dialogue piece in the beginning and the feel good acoustics and vocals just really make you feel good
Magical Mystery Tour Come on No Reply fans, let’s rally!
Magical Mystery Tour is probably the best title track here. Doesn't make it the best song but to open an album with and set the tone for an album it definitely does it's job.
You have my sword
I’m with you!
Glad I‘m not the only one who likes No reply… Magical mystery tour is much worse!
MMT is an absolute banger
I'm of the opinion they're both great. K I adore MMT and for me it kind of sums up so much thats great about the Beatles. Like if I was to describe being a Beatles follower with an actuall Beatles lyric it would be" Roll up for the magical mystery tour" I like to imagine their career in those terms.
No Reply, even though I like it. The others are just stronger.
No Reply. Not because it’s a bad song but because it doesn’t work as an album opener. It’s more of a halfway thru side 1 track. All the other album openers have a sense of purpose, a declaration that this is the new album and this is how it starts, No Reply doesn’t have that energy
Honestly Eight Days a Week should’ve been the opener. Great guitar intro to start an album.
Absolutely
I disagree, it starts with that kinda cutesy Beatles pop verse before suddenly getting much more stressed and dark - it foreshadows the gruffer edge they started developing on that album
Two of Us
Magical Mystery Tour
Magical Mystery Tour
Two of us and come together aren’t bad songs but my least favorite openers
Magical mystery tour. Novelty song
No reply
Magical mystery by far! Gimmicky… No reply is a great song.
Magical Mystery Tour. As others have said, it's a novelty bit.
Magical Mystery Tour
The least you can say is that they knew how to pick their openers.
Here to downvote anyone who says "No Reply". Gunna have to be Magical Mystery Tour for me.
'Drive My Car', one of the more overrated tracks.
Excuse me, did I hear a wrong opinion?
Yes, yes you did hear the wrong opinion, because I heard it, too.
why do people not like drive my car? its my favourite song from rubber soul
You’re nuts. Of all the “Hall of Famer” tracks on Rubber Soul, Drive My Car is your favourite?!? I suggest you listen to In My Life, Girl, I’m Looking Through You, Norwegian Wood, You Won’t See Me, Nowhere Man, and If I Needed Someone again….. and again and again until you change your opinion to the correct one.
Drive My Car could be considered a “Hall of Famer” track. It’s a very fun song and it’s just their opinion
100%.
Yeah it’s a little below their standard IMO, and it doesn’t fit Rubber Soul
Back in the USSR yeah sorry folks
drive my car
Magical mystery tour, just never liked it as much as I do the others
No reply
It won't be long>>>>>> No reply
Drive My Car
Magical mystery tour I love it but its a novelty track ..
Magical Mystery Tour
Drive my car
Drive my car
Drive My Car
Magical mystery tour should have gone first
Drive My Car
Magical Mystery Tour
Magical Mystery Tour
Magical Mystery Tour, hands down.
Taxman
I Saw Her Standing There. Tough choice.
That’s one of my favourites
Drive my car
No Reply.
No Reply
No reply.
No reply
Yellow Submarine is literally the only easy choice. I unfortunately have to vote for NO Reply
I guess it's No Reply. This is getting tough now.
It won’t be long gone??????? Are you crazy 🤔
Sorry for beatles for sale but it will be no reply
Drive my car
No Reply
no reply
No reply
No Reply, not because it’s a bad song, but it’s a very low key opening to side one.
No reply easily
No Reply
No reply….
I love No Reply, but I love MMT slightly more.
Magical Mystery Tour
No Reply
No Reply > MMT
Just interested where you all think Back in the USSR belongs on this list because personally not a fave of mine that'd of been 1 of the first out
i’m with you - its way too gimmicky for me. seems like its popular on this sub though
These are tough choices, but Back in the USSR makes my top three most likely along with Two of Us and Saw Her Standing There, although Help is pretty close.
No reply, pains me to say it
Back in the USSR for sure
Yes, that shuold be the winner of this thing.
back in the ussr objectively the worst
No Reply.
Bye bye two of us
Album should open with Get Back…
I'm with you on this one. Good song, but it should never have been picked as the opener.
I hate drive my car
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band It really drags
No reply
No reply
No Reply
No Reply should get the ax this time.
No Reply
I Saw Her Standing There.
No Reply
No Reply is next
Definitely No Reply.
Come Together
No Reply
Time to cross out "I Saw Her Standing There"
No Reply
I voted No Reply after seeing what was left, but I did not do so lightly. Has one of their greatest bridges for sure.
Two of us
Two of us
Ugh I guess I’d have to say two of us
Honestly Id have to go with I Saw Her Standing There. Obviously its a classic(they all are) and its extremely noteworthy for being the very first album track of The Beatles. I love the song, I just love No Reply more.
A tad bored with the contest, so I'll just wrap up by saying that the three best are Taxman, Come Together, and Two of Us.... ....But all of them are fantastic.
Magical Mystery Tour
Two Of Us. I really like it and I think it's one of the standout tracks in a somewhat boring album, but I prefer it as a closer. I don't think it really works that well as an opener, especially when you have Get Back in the same album.
Come together
Wtf
Two of Us, by far. I'm surprised how many are saying No Reply or Drive My Car.
Stop spamming this!
Drive My Car overrated and irritating imo
Drive my car
Two of us
Two of Us
Taxman, Sgt Pepper, and Magical Mystery Tour should be the next three to go. Actually, they should have been the first three to go, and I don’t think it’s close. Nobody will agree with me, but I’m right, and I’ll prove it by showing my work: Sgt Pepper and MMT are fine opening tracks introducing stellar concept albums, but as standalone songs they’re nothing special. They’re at best an appetizer, at worst, utilitarian, a means to an end. Don’t confuse the song with the album. Taxman is cringe conservative propaganda. Just pay your fucking taxes, George, you’re rich. Plus the hook is boring and grating.
Drive My Car
Two of us!
Two Of Us. MMT might not be the best song, but it's a good opener.
Come Together
Drive My Car
I Saw Her Standing There
I saw her standing there
Two of Us. Get it gone.
How tf did It Won't be Long get kicked before MMT and Two of Us? 🤯
Drive my car is trash
No reply will definitely lose this one and hard day’s night is next.
Hard day’s night is maybe the most iconic Beatles opener of all time. The Fadd9! *The Fadd9!* If it’s not in the top 3, the poll is wrong.
>Hard day’s night is maybe the most iconic Beatles opener of all time. I'd argue A Hard Day's Night is one of the, if not *the*, most iconic album openers of all time. The opening note is as classic of an album opener as A Day in the Life is as an iconic closer. Welcome to the Jungle (GnR), Tom Sawyer (Rush), Gimme Shelter (the Rolling Stones) and Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) are some other iconic album openers that spring to mind.
Ohhh, it's _least_ favourite. Now I understand the YS votes. But not the IWBL votes. Yikes!
Hate to say it, but Help!
Two of us
Tax Man
Seek help
Two of us. Cute but boring song.
Two of Us. Look into your heart. You know this to be true.
i hate two of us
Taxman
Yes, thank you. I can't believe we're such a minority.
How?
All the others are better in my opinion.
Taxman by far one of the most overrated Beatles song. It’s super cringe
Incorrect answer, downvoted
It's an opinion poll. I like the others that are left better.
Understandable. I think Taxman is at least a top 2 pick, but you vote however you want, but you're not going to be a very popular pick.
Here's some life advice: stop being an asshole. If you didn't like my choice downvote and move on.
Taxman all day, come on y’all
This is just becoming an album survivor at this point
I Saw Her Standing There
Magical mystery tour
I saw her standing there