3 Beatles Song analysis Paper
concepts and terms from the course text that specifically describe what is going on; avoid vague descriiptors like “flowing/upbeat/catchy,” etc.for ideas on
how you might approach talking about musical aspects (such as the discussions of melody, harmony, key,
instrumentation, form, timbre, texture, meter, rhythm, special effects, etc.), plus the interaction of words and music. By interaction of the words and music, I am referring to how the use of music elements listed above enhances the meaning and emotions associated with the song’s lyrics. For instance, a fast tempo with
strongly articulated rhythms could suggest a lively, excited, or anxious feeling being portrayed in the song’s lyrics. A slower tempo song in a minor key could suggest a melancholy mood associated with the text. Even high or low pitches could correspond to something mentioned as being high or low in the lyrics–word painting
like this has been used for centuries (e.g., “falling in love”). It is particularly important to take what you have learned and apply it independently to songs with which you are not familiar. Such independent research and application is a vital part of the learning processThe vast majority of content consists of your own ideas:
o At the very least, try to pick out at least 3 unique/special musical characteristics that are prominent musical features in each particular song
o But to earn an A, you must identify and discuss at least 5 per song, and also provide in-depth interpretation of the lyrics, verse by verse as each song progresses .SONG CHOICES
“From Me To You,” “Thank You Girl,” “I’ll Get You,” “Misery,” “Anna,”
“Chains,” “Boys,” “Please, Please Me,” “A Taste of Honey,” “Baby It’s You,” “Do You Want To Know A
Secret,” “There’s A Place,” “Twist And Shout,” “It Won’t Be Long,” “All I’ve Got To Do,” “Little Child,” “Till
There Was You,” “I Call Your Name,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Hold Me Tight,” “You
Really Got A Hold On Me,” “Devil In Her Heart,” “Not A Second Time,” “Money (That’s What I Want),” “I
Should Have Known Better,” “And I Love Her,” “Tell Me Why,” “I’m Happy Just To Dance With You,” “I’ll
Be Back,” “You Can’t Do That,” “When I Get Home,” “Any Time At All,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Slow
Down,” “Bad Boy”
Transitional period (late 1964-65): “No Reply,” “Baby’s In Black,” “Rock And Roll Music,” “I’ll Follow The
Sun,” “Mr. Moonlight,” “Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey,” “Eight Days A Week,” “Words Of Love,”
“Honey Don’t,” “Every Little Thing,” “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party,” “What You’re Doing,”
“Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby,” “I’m Down,” “The Night Before,” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love
Away,” “I Need You,” “Another Girl,” “You’re Going To Lose That Girl,” “Act Naturally,” “It’s Only Love,”
“You Like Me Too Much,” “I’ve Just Seen A Face,” “Dizzy Miss Lizzie”
A New Level of Mastery (late 1965-66): “You Won’t See Me,” “Think For Yourself,” “The Word,” “What
Goes On,” “Girl,” “I’m Looking Through You,” “Wait,” “Run For Your Life,” “We Can Work It Out,” “I’m
Only Sleeping,” “Yellow Submarine,” “She Said She Said,” “Good Day Sunshine,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,”
“For No One,” “Doctor Robert,” “I Want To Tell You,” “Got to Get You Into My Life”
Psychedelia and Post-Psychedelia: “Blue Jay Way,” “Your Mother Should Know,” “Baby You’re a Rich
Man,” “Dear Prudence,” “Happiness Is A Warm Gun,” “Martha My Dear,” “I’m So Tired,” “Rocky Raccoon,”
“Don’t Pass Me By,” “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road,” “I Will,” “Julia,” “Everybody’s Got Something To
Hide Except Me And My Monkey,” “Sexy Sadie,” “Helter Skelter,” “Long, Long, Long,” “Cry Baby Cry,”
“Mother Nature’s Son,” “Savoy Truffle,” “Hey Bulldog”
