Ugly American Werewolf in London: The Beatles - Rubber Soul

The Wolf & Action Jackson will admit they aren't the world's biggest Beatles fans. Though we appreciate their influence to help create the music we love through generations, we generally don't gravitate towards their albums. However, in researching Rubber Soul as it turns 60 on December 3, we gained new appreciation and respect for the Lads from Liverpool. They had grown up quite a bit in the last few years and found themselves writing more mature lyrics while experimenting with different sounds.

The Beatles had met and befriended Bob Dylan and in their second trip to the US had met Elvis and formed mutual admiration societies with The Byrds, Motown and Stax. They experimented with LSD and the boys used to call Rubber Soul the pot album as they partook during the recording. So as they wove all those influencers into their own music, they also started to write more personal songs.

Paul exchanged sweet nothings for standoffish goodbyes in songs like You Won't See Me and I'm Looking Through You. A contemplative John Lennon reminisces about growing up (In My Life) and the eternal search for that special someone (Girl). Young George Harrison was ready to step up to the plate with his own mature offerings like Think For Yourself and If I Needed Someone.

The album was well received by peers and critics and is considered the point where the album became more than just a larger collection of songs but one statement from a moment in time. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) was an international hit about an affair John had. Michelle seems like a sweet ode to a French girl when it was the boys making fun of Paul for trying to speak French at parties to meet girls. Even the big hit Drive My Car is very tongue in cheek about the silliness and pitfalls of fame. Though the oldest of them were 25, The Beatles proved they were more than just cute mop tops with guitars. They were artists pushing the envelope in the studio of what rock music could be. Rubber Soul was that next step in the evolution of the band and rock.

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