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BeatleFred
02-09-2002, 12:21 AM
Just wondering what the reason is for having "What Goes On" as the b side to Nowhere Man - or ditto Act Naturally to Yesterday. To give Ringo some exposure? Not that I dont like Ringo as I most certainly do, but what is it with b sides- does the record company pick the weakest track on the record as the b side?? "What Goes On" is an okay track but hardly Great - so I also dont get why it is the leadoff track on Side 2 of Rubber Soul UK (??)
Michael
02-09-2002, 12:59 AM
At that point in their career it didn't matter what they released as it all turned to gold anyway and rightly so...
jligon
02-09-2002, 04:24 AM
Consider that 45s were more popular than LPs at that time, especially among kids, and Ringo was the most popular Beatle, especially among (very stupid) kids.
I guess I'm more surprised that these songs weren't relegated to the B-sides only and left off of the albums.
FabFourFan
02-09-2002, 05:50 AM
Originally posted by jligon
...Ringo was the most popular Beatle, especially among (very stupid) kids.Say what? :confused:

I don't think Ringo was the 'most popular', nor the favorite of the 'stupids'.

Could you please clarify?
jligon
02-09-2002, 12:06 PM
It's been made quite clear that during the peak of "Beatlemania," (1964-1966) Ringo was considered the most "popular" Beatle. Not saying people thought he was the "best." He was the most liked and received FAR more fanmail than any of the other Beatles. That was my point. Maybe they felt compelled to put him on the B-sides for this reason. Or maybe, like me, they just felt they were good songs. Besides, B-sides were rarely a place for a group's "great" songs. Of course, The Beatles were an exception to this rule many times.
I'm just making guesses here about the thinking behind the B-sides but it is a fact about Ringo's popularity. I've read that numerous times over the past 30 years.
BeatleFred
02-09-2002, 02:50 PM
I dunno..maybe I'm missing something here. I would presume if someone bought a 45 to hear a song they really like on the A side then they would be curious to simply flip it over and hear what other song is on the b side. Thus, why put a weak track there?? Seems to me a weak/bad song would be that much more obvious on a 45 then if it were "hidden" amongst more songs on a full album.
Jim Ricketts
02-09-2002, 03:25 PM
If I remember correctly (and at my age that can be a challenge), the Beatles had a lot of double-sided hits. I should dig out my 45's some time. At one time, I think they had the top 5 songs on the top 40 list - some may have been double-sided hits and some non-capitol labels. It seems they were constantly releasing songs left and right back then which in light of todays albums taking years, is even more impressive. btw, as I recall, John and Paul were always the most popular...at least in my neck of the woods.
BeatleFred
02-09-2002, 03:34 PM
Yes that its true- in early '64 they had 'I Want To Hold Your Hand", "She Loves You", "Please Please Me", "Twist & Shout", "Cant Buy Me Love" on the charts. And I believe Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane and Come Together/Something were examples of double A sides.
jkerr
02-09-2002, 03:47 PM
Originally posted by BeatleFred
Just wondering what the reason is for having "What Goes On" as the b side to Nowhere Man - or ditto Act Naturally to Yesterday. To give Ringo some exposure?

These were US singles that Capitol released. Its anyone's guess as to why Capitol picked those songs. Neither G. Martin nor the Beatles had any say concerning the Capitol releases. At least not until Sgt Pepper's.
Andrew
02-09-2002, 04:45 PM
Many of those b-sides charted on the Hot 100. Anybody have a Joel Whitburn book to see how high "What Goes On?" might have gone?
Dugan
02-09-2002, 04:57 PM
Billboard #81
btomarra
02-09-2002, 05:32 PM
And I believe Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane and Come Together/Something were examples of double A sides.

Half correct Beatlefred. Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields reached number 2 in UK. Penny Lane reached number 1 in US, but Strawberry Fields reached number 8. Come Together/Something did reach number 1 for one week as a double a-side.

Brian



:)
FabFourFan
02-10-2002, 10:28 AM
Originally contended by jligon
It's been made quite clear that during the peak of "Beatlemania," (1964-1966) Ringo was considered the most "popular" Beatle. ... I've read that numerous times over the past 30 years. Don't believe everything you read. ;)
I'm sure that Ringo would be flattered today to hear that at the height of Beatlemania he was the most popular member of the group!
jligon
02-10-2002, 12:50 PM
Originally posted by FabFourFan
Don't believe everything you read. ;)
I'm sure that Ringo would be flattered today...

Thanks for the condescending piece of advice.
;)

By the way, I've always considered Ringo to be, by far, the most arrogant of all the Beatles. I don't think there is much that would flatter him.
FabFourFan
02-10-2002, 03:17 PM
Originally posted by jligon
Thanks for the condescending piece of advice. ;)
... I've always considered Ringo ... the most arrogant of all the Beatles.Well, okay then -- Let's agree to disagree! :eek:

As George might have said, "Sorry if I hurt your field..." :)
Richard Feirstein
02-11-2002, 02:05 AM
The royalty laws were different in the UK and the States. Thus Capital pulled a number of songs on the UK albums and put them out as 45's to avoid having to pay the fab four a higher level of royalty per album. They also messed around with the compression and did other things that drove the boys nuts (all the way to the bank, mind you). The release of the UK pressings in the States was a true sonic advance over those Capital releases.
Chip Stylus
02-14-2002, 09:03 PM
Originally posted by jligon


By the way, I've always considered Ringo to be, by far, the most arrogant of all the Beatles. I don't think there is much that would flatter him.

Did you see the Anthology tapes? Ringo hardly seems arrogant to me.
Anything he knows about condescension directed at fans or anyone else he probably learned from his brothers Paul & John.

Now, if you were speaking from firsthand experience (as I am not) or were referring to his late 80's heavy drinking spell, I'd believe you. E!'s True Hollywood Story: Beatle Wives had tape of him admitting he beat Barbara bloody one night when they both went out on a bender.

Besides, when you're the greatest drummer in the world, it IS hard to be humble (wink wink).
jligon
02-14-2002, 09:13 PM
Originally posted by thomoz


Besides, when (you think) you're the greatest drummer in the world, it IS hard to be humble (wink wink).
;)