Rubber Soul

Rubber Soul held my attention. I am not usually a Beatles fan and have always preferred the Rolling Stones, but this is a good record. It feels more consistent and focused than I expected. I stayed with it all the way through, which says a lot for me. Good stuff !! Four stars.

Tough to rate the Beatles. The middle of this album is a little boring for me but I love the beginning and end. I’m gonna give it 4 stays but it’s 4.5

cmon

Amazing short songs love Michelle Good vibe

Great but run for your life is so bad knocks it down

nooo it didn't save my notes. ok this is another side of the beatles from the little side that i know. abbey road they're all singing about octopi, here it's more folky songs about women's eyes and watnot. looser in an almost stomp-n-holler-egg-shaker-jam-session sorta way? as in leaning acoustic with more interesting instruments (i knew i hear a sitar!!) and a more down to earth lyrical approach. of course most of what i know of the beatles is *after* this, so i'm sure in a few hundred albums i will get to listen to what they actually started out as. i'd say in the 3.5/5 range. probably rounded to 4/5 for the benefit of the doubt because it didn't save my notes

Love love love

Favorite Tracks: Drive My Car | Norwegian Wood

My goodness this album has a lot of great songs, including three of my favorites, In My Life, Norwegian Wood and Nowhere Man.

the betles

If it were up to me the first 13 albums by the Beatles would be 1-13 on this list. And arguably this could be # 1.

I won’t apologize for loving this album. I’m boring and proud

when I stare a long time at this album cover it reminds me that the Beatles are just some white guys off the street and that most people only like them because they're told to like them

Solid 60s pop album.

Dorky with some silly songs. Still great

Didn’t realize this had so much of an early Beatles sound. Would prefer to give it a 2.5.

4 stars. Shows a departure from their pop sound but hasn't matched the ambition of their later works. Awkward middle child album

c'est sympatoche, sans plus, après j'aime pas trop comment la stéréo est utilisée sur ce genre d'album. ça me soule d'avoir à entendre les voix à ma droite et le reste du son à gauche

Sympa sympa

Lets go enfin un album des Beatles. Et un de mes préférés

Repeat listen

Я слушал годжиру вместо битлс

One of my least favourite Beatles albums. (I'm a sucker for the early stuff). Clear 5. I'm actually sad for those that don't get the Beatles.

Ну, стыдно признать, но drive my car меня прям в танец несет. но the word выбешивает до белого коления. все остальное? ничего

Good

listened to again one of the great classics

Extremely pleasant, but I admit some of the overplayed songs I’m not fond of…

I love the beatles, but the only track on here that I really dug was In My Life

Beep-beep-mm-beep-beep, yeah.

Beatles good Fave track: Drive My Car

Feel like I’ve underrated this one a tad until now. A very solid offering from the Beatles - but the best was yet to come. 4.5/5

Meh, boring imo. Had one really good song. The rest didn’t feel like much

звучание супер даже может 4,5/5, некоторое бы переслушивала

their performance smooth, and their charm, wit and excitement run high” The jangly pop of the early Beatles is replaced by thoughtful interesting song writing. Not as experimental as later albums but still playing with form and structure of 60s pop. Weirdly it’s that maturity of the songwriting that’s makes the album last, whereas this is why it suffered with some reviewers when it first came out. “Think for yourself as I won’t be there with you …” For example Nowhere man feels completely different, to what came before , but behind John’s baleful singing is still a tight 4 piece playing jangly pop. The opening chords of Drive my car are an excellent way to start any album that just stays great all the way through - even “what goes on” does not drag it down a rating - just . it’s not Ringo’s vocals, which I quite like , but the simplicity of the country like pop is just out of place.

80

This might be one of my favorite Beatles albums. Interesting transition album in terms of sound.

It's fine. Bored.

Cool that my first album is a Beatles one. Although it's not their best work. It still holds some cool songs and I've discovered a few I really like. 4 stars.

I have only just started to get deeper into The Beatles' back catalogue, and hadn't gotten as far as Rubber Soul. Revolver is a current favourite of mine and in many ways it's difficult to believe that this effort came out just a year prior. It's very songwriting focussed, and in more 'straight up' in many ways, but the instrumentation/production is showing early signs of the unorthodox approach that comes into its own with Revolver. Standouts for me are Norwegian Wood and Michelle, but everything sounds great, lyrics are great all around, arrangements are brilliant as you'd expect.

One of my favorite albums of all time, and currently my favorite Beatles record. I recently made a comment to my girlfriend where I said "I think this is the year I'm going to get into the Beatles" as if I haven't spent the majority of my listening life obsessing over them. Rubber Soul was the first big step into more introspective songwriting from the Fab Four amidst their move to being a studio only hand. This record still has a good mix of the earlier records - great harmonies, good love songs - and a new sound too. My Dad ended up with two versions of this record, and I told him how much I loved it and luckily got his extra copy. There's so much more I can say about this record but I'll leave it here.

Previously known. Drop Nowhere Man and In My Life and this would be a 6 star album.

It’s upsetting how quick this album is. I think this album is really great, but the second half of it is the strongest.

Unremarkable. I literally don't remember any of the songs after listening. Still, mostly pleasant.

Good listen, enjoyed thoroughly l

Rubber stamp the Beatles for 5 stars as per usual.

Yeah this is one of my top 10 albums of all time so obvious 10 out of 10, five stars

My favourite Beatles album. A masterpiece! 5 stars

Sux big time

4.5/5

Probably my 6th or 7th favorite Beatles album. Still great, of course, but there's some songs here that don't quite measure up to their best albums for me. Standouts for me are "Nowhere Man", "I'm Looking Through You", "The Word", and perhaps Ringo's finest moment as Beatles frontman, "What Goes On". 4.5 stars.

4.5

The album where Beatles seriously step up a gear in their album game as it is an album with serious S Tier Beatles gems such as Drive My Car, Nowhere Man, In My Life, If I Needed Someone and Norwegian Wood that are way more special and a smidge more radical than anything they’ve written before. Let’s just say they’ve all got various ‘soles that I have enjoyed rubbing a lot and other people have enjoy rubbing too. Every track here is a definite ‘would’ to be honest, even the much-vilified closer Run For Your Life which is still better than most other artists best songs. If it weren’t for Revolver existing straight afterwards then this album would truly be Best Of The Beatles. The richest and rubberiest of 5 stars.

classic

3.5 stars.

twas fun! wouldn't wanna listen to the whole thing again but made for nice coffee shop listening

Один з найкращих альбомів

Packed full of hits, creative sounds and storytelling. There’s been a ton of stuff written about The Beatles by people much cleverer than me so I won't attempt to break down the album beyond my own experiences of listening to it. Listening to albums presented by the 1001 list encourages me to listen more closely/deeply to stuff I thought I already knew, but discovering new depths and sounds i hadn’t heard before. Love the fuzzy bass in ‘Think for yourself’, and it's this song that stands out to me after multiple listens. Every track is great but I am still waiting for the sublime/transdermal album for the 5th star. 4.75!!! Total number tracks 14 Fave track # Think for yourself Others: err nearly all of them!

It's not Abbey Road. Other than In MY Life, I really enjoyed Nowhere Man and Michelle. But there were also a few songs that felt dated. It can be hard to remember at the end of the day with how large (deservedly) their legacy is the Beatles really were just a radio pop boy band. Still it's a nice album.

Excelente, banger after banger. Una mezcla perfecta de los Beatles entre su punto inicial y su época más psicodélica y experimental. No es mi primera vez escuchándolo completo. Fue una buena recomendación porque pude redescubrir canciones que me habían gustado y reevaluar otras que no me convencían antes. Igualmente la decisión de terminar este álbum con Run for Your Life me parece terrible, pero no soy los Beatles así que qué sé yo. 4.5 pero esto no me deja asi que van a ser 5 ig

This is my favorite Beatles album so guess what I'm gonna rate it? It's kind of difficult to pinpoint why this one has stuck with me so much. Just a lot of what I love about the Beatles I guess. I love a good vocal harmony and there's a lot of great ones here. I feel like this album is a big McCartney showcase even though as always the lead vocals are split amongst the band. Some of his lead songs really stick with me. "You Won't See Me", "Nowhere Man", and "If I Needed Someone" are particular standouts for me. "Girl" is one I could take or leave. It's OK, but a clear low point. "Run for Your Life" is a little messed up because, you know, John Lennon having been abusive... Overall an excellent album. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Already listened. Strong 7/10. Last track 'Run for your life' is bizarrely bad and creepy

This is already my fourth Beatles album and I'm only on day 263. This is not a complaint. I love The Beatles and this record is no exception. What stood out for me with this listen (yes, I've played this album many times but I always want to try and have an open opinion if possible) was how the record started off with Drive My Car, and very typical sounding song for the band. It has the high energy pop sound that was typical through all of their released prior to Rubber Soul. But then it changed abruptly, and became a much more personally written album (especially John's songs but not exclusively). It also changed in sound, with much less of their uptempo pop to something more folk and introspective. I've read some reviews here talking about how mean spirited many of the songs are, especially to women. I'd say this was very true in John's case, as he was beginning to be self-reflective and honest, although not necessarily changing how he was. Norwegian Wood and Run For Your Life don't exactly paint him in a good light, but it was true nevertheless. This is the same person who wrote Jealous Guy years later, after all. I'm a sucker for honest songwriting, so while it's not always easy to listen to it is real. The other thing that really stood out, surprise surprise, was the harmony vocals. They are perfect on this album and even the rougher songs lyrically sound absolutely beautiful. This was a great album to listen to on a day when I'm still snowed in and couldn't listen while driving as I typically do.

It's a great album, but it's not Abbey Road so it's not a 5. 4/5.

I like this sweet spot where The Beatles moved past their poppy concert sound, but before they got convoluted with experimental studio engineering. Just different vibes, each track, playing what they liked.

“That’s as bad as listening to The Beatles without earmuffs” - James Bond

rub her hole? Gross Ringo

For a long time I'd have probably have had this as my favourite Beatles album. And whilst I still love this record I have come around to the fact that there are better records that follow this. That said this feels like the foundational step into the band's golden period and there are some true classics on here.

moj prvi beatles album, kinda nervous! зашто ми певају само у десно уво :( ово су просто битлси, не знам како боље да објасним. знам мишел!! смешно ми је што има само једна песма која је дужа од 3 минута, трендови у музици стварно се враћају и понављају. готов албум! нисам пала на дупе? е али то је трик код битлса, слушаш их и мислиш ''па шта је овде тако посебно звучи ми као свака рок фолк песма икада'' АЛИ БАШ ТО! СВИ ЗВУЧЕ КАО БИТЛСИ! ЈЕР СУ ОНИ ПРВИ! ЧИЈА ЈЕ МУЗИКА ЗВУЧАЛА ОВАКО! не знам од кад ја овако страствено делим своје мишљење о битлсима. не знам ни од кад имам мишљење о битлсима. све у свему, микс је катастрофа, у једном уху бубањ и гитара у другом вокали и то је то лоллл. али не могу много да серем јер је ово '65. , миксовали су песме на телеграфу вероватно. лупкала сам ногама, махала сам главом- мелодије су стварно супер, а и инструменти такође. не знам о чему су певали искрено, и не могу тиме да се бавим, опростите ми битлси.

enjoyable but a bit boring to me. the 2:00 track length fromat across the album makes has me cross eyed as it bops between tracks that are making similar musical statement over and over. feels like a collection of singles rather than the type of album i typically appreciate...one that takes me on a journey. credit them tho, it definitely turned into a collection of singles because im sure most of these songs are considered classics. if this is a step in a new direction for the beatles....if feels more like a turn towards where they will go, rather than a first big step...one foot is still firmly planted in teeny boppin beatles highlights: accoustic lick/sitar on NORWEGIAN WOOD. MICHELLE'S melancholly trot. everything about IM LOOKING THROUGH YOU. IN MY LIFE's unexpected and weird baroque bridge.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve listened to this a thousand times, but this one still hits. There’s something magical about having this playing on vinyl while making breakfast on a snowy Sunday morning.

What good can I say that's not already been said about this album. Top Track: Norwegian Wood

An amazing album, each song give you a new vibe and feeling. The voices of the band are also amazing in this combination. Now I can see why the Beatles are so iconic Fav songs - Drive My Car, The Word, In My Life 4/5

Can't say I loved it but it was an easy, quick listen.

not my taste

This is already in my personal collection. So many great songs - Norwegian Wood, In My Life, Nowhere Man, I could go on. Solid.

It's the friggin Beatles. This is a fantastic album by the most influential group of all time. Love this one.

The Beatles are a top-tier group, and this is a top-tier album of theirs. It's not perfect, but the website doesn't allow half-ratings, and I'm trying to be more generous at the top end and more harsh at the bottom end, so this is getting five stars instead of four (or four and a half, which is what I actually want to give it).

Their sixth album. Rock / Pop / Psychedelic Rock. My favourite Beatles album sleeve and maybe even my favourite Beatles album. Every song is unique and so well written. I could write an essay on each track. I won't, all I can say is this is a masterpiece. In My Life has to be one of the finest songs ever made. I've a deep emotional attachment to this album for various reasons so I am unapologetically giving it a five. This album was their great leap forward.

One of the first Beatles albums that clicked with me to the point where I would listen to it everyday. I’m quite sentimental about this one.

Nice

Good time

It’s the Beatles and from my perspective, this was their third best album, plus it contains my favorite Beatles song, ever. Love the album!

Groovy man

Beatles are one of the biggest bands ever for a reason… but not one of their best albums. 3.5

When it comes to the Beatles, I mostly know the hits. But there was plenty to enjoy here. I still don’t put them on much, but there’s a reason they’re as loved as they are. 7/10 Quite Likeable

It sounds like a very generic old pop album. Which low-key shows how influential they've been to the genre. Very easy and pleasant listen but nothing special imo. Great background music ngl. The type of music you'd hear in an old speakeasy.

Did not like this

4/10 Most of it sounds the same. The only songs that were somewhat decent to me were Norwegian Wood (Track 2), Michelle (Track 7) and perhaps Nowhere Man (Track 4). I still don't understand how The Beatles even became that popular but considering rock wasn't big in the 60's until them, I guess I should give them some credit. Influential my sweet little bottom tho, this album doesn't belong in this list that I'd say is for sure.

Classiiiiiicccc, gotta say thanks to my parents for making sure I listened to all of these at least once - and this is the second Beatles album to hit my list so far

A classic that's always a comfort to return to. Maybe not my favourite Beatles album, but a necessary step towards their latter works in their careers.

LOVE

Rly George? Hay vida más allá de los putos Beatles

Weirdly misogynistic songs. Not as many great songs as I remembered

realmente uno de los mejores albumes que crearon los beatles y ademas tiene mi cancion favorita de todos los tiempos que es in my life entonces estoy obligado a darle 5 estrellas

I don't hate the beatles, but they definitely aren't at the top of my list of bands either. This was ok, but I wouldn't put on again.

Fucking 5 stars bitches

Fine. It’s the Beatles, ofc there’s hits and hoppy moments. But overall… kinda boring? Highlight for me was recognising samples taken from this.

Every Ringo country twang song is fire, 5/5

The Fab Four cast off the shackles of the mop-tops completely and release a darker, weirder, rockier and better folk/rock hybrid - or their version of it anyway. Songs about shagging, fame, arson, infidelity, promise of murder, failing relationships, more shagging, existential crisis, rejection of comformity, trying to pull someone, more shagging, breaking up, making up, strength in the self, nostaligia and, of course, a little bit of love as well. The fact that this was made in two weeks in crazy enough in itself what with them reinventing popular music and all. It's just pure genius packaged in easily digestible songs so us mere mortals could keep up with them. Best Songs: Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown); I'm Looking Through You; In My Life

Had eigenlijk nog nooit echt naar de beatles geluisterd maar was opzich best leuk

very beatles

Oh no, it's The Beatles. I don't especially enjoy reviewing music by The Beatles, every opinion on every Beatles song has already been spoken and memorialized, and I don't subscribe to the idea that every Beatles album is flawless within it's context. Regardless of this, I *do* enjoy a lot of Beatles music, and I *do* really like Rubber Soul. In fact, I kind of think of this as the earliest Beatles album that I personally think is truly great. I also agree with the narrative is that this is a huge stepping stone for The Beatles, and that the leap in songwriting maturity, and emotional range here is vital for the band's development. But, I also don't think that necessarily resolves into a perfect album. Although it does give us a lot of really great, inventive pop songs with a lot of range. This album opens with Drive My Car and Norwegian Wood, which kind of epitomizes this. Both are fantastic pop songs: Drive My Car is tons of fun, and Norwegian Wood is sophisticated and melancholy. But The Beatles set a consistent tone and palette between them. Which doesn't feel particularly impressive in 2026, but if you listen to much of what The Beatles were doing before this, it becomes clear how important of a development this is. This album is full of studio tricks and detailed songwriting just like what we see on these songs. I love the really unique melodies on The Word. I love the soundscape work done done on Michelle, it's so simple but effective. I love how the arrangement expands on Girl. And the album is full of cool moments like these. At it's best they merge with the incredible pop songs here. But on occasion, I do think the Beatles haven't quite honed their songs enough to not be overshadowed by the production work. These songs are short, and some of them inevitably end up a little low impact. Which isn't to say that there are bad songs here, just some which aren't especially noteworthy in my opinion. And I think this compounds with how much The Beatles developed their art afterwards. As far as more hit or miss moments on here go, I'd particularly like to mention the closer, Run For Your Life. It's fine, but I have a number of problems. Firstly, I think the song here is not an especially inspired fusion of Elvis-style rock with The Beatles' sound. But this song is also well-known for consisting of John Lennon threatening to kill his significant other if he catches her cheat. It just comes across super weird. Is this to be taken at face value? If so, that's insane. Is this meant to be an acknowledgement of toxic masculinity through the medium of '50s rock n roll? If so, then it's weird hearing it from Lennon, given what we know about his history as a husband. It just doesn't make a ton of sense as a closer, and brings the album down a little in my opinion. Regardless, I do really enjoy the majority of this, even if The Beatles later achieved so much more. I see myself revisiting quite a bit here.

One of the original pop masterpieces that was copied over and over. I’m docking a point for that last track and its misogyny, sorry not sorry

I enjoyed the hits

Up there with the best in their catalogue. I love this transition from ultra pop group to studio wizards. Great tunes

Bien. Agradable en general, pero no me he enterado mucho

Less than three years after releasing their debut album, The Beatles were already approaching the height of their creative powers. Even now, almost 60 years after I first heard it, this album still brings me genuine enjoyment. That said, like many mid-1960s records, it suffers from the extreme stereo separation typical of the era, with instruments and vocals hard-panned to one side or the other. The 2009 remastered version available on Spotify also sounds oddly off to me, almost artificial or overly processed. My wife noticed it too, without me saying anything; she just remarked that something felt "wrong." When I switched to my old vinyl copy for comparison, it actually sounded more natural and enjoyable overall... though the exaggerated stereo panning was, of course, still present.

I don’t like the sound of the Beatles

1. Drive My Car: Ballsy riff to start an album with. Paul sounds so good on this—I like when he's more soulful and less pouty. perfect. sexual? Love the 3-part harmonies on the end of the verses. Love a good cowbell. Piano lick in chorus is perfect. Tasteful, soulful guitar solo. No notes 2. Norwegian Wood Only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the bridge but I think it had to happen. Love the different string textures. One of my favorite melodies 3. You Won't See Me I always get this one and Wait mixed up. This one is better. The "oooh lalala" in the 2nd verse always reminds me of School of Rock 4. Nowhere Man: Love an acapella chorus opening. Perfect harmonies. One of my faves. Love this melody too. How can you not bob along with it. Also Paul is lowkey cooking taking that bass for a walk. Love the harmonic note at the end of the guitar solo. 5. Think For Yourself I feel like this, You Won't see me and Wait could have been condensed in to great song instead of 3 fine songs. like the fuzzy guitar tone 6. The Word This one is sassy 7. Michelle Never got into this song tbh it makes me feel kind of creeped out lmao. Paul's voice sounds nice tho 8. What Goes On: Who let Ringo sing 9. Girl: Perfect. jk i got to the end part and I don't like that part. reminds me of my big fat greek wedding is that ok to say 10. I'm Looking Through You: Very pleasant song until that damn dissonant organ in the chorus. Reminds me of Pleasant Valley Sunday wonder which came first I'll need to look that up 11. In My Life: Who's chopping onions. Fantastic song, wish the choir at my high school graduation didn't ruin it for me. Such a perfect sweet little lick. Harpsichord solo goes hard (the high school choir sang that part too, unfortunately) 12. Wait Just not my fave to listen to. I like the tremolo/other guitar stuff in the chorus 13. If I Needed Someone Love the opening guitar riff + tone. Then the bass coming in is chef's kiss. Them 3 part harmonies. good good. 14. Run For Your Life Inexcusable

Ehhhhh it was okay. The last song was really strange...

it’s such a feel-good album. it’s very gentle and sweet in all the best ways. i love it deeply.

Love it

el álbum duro 35 min con el total de 14 canciones de las cuales me gustaron todas jakakak, pero me guarde entre mis favoritas a solo 9 de ellas. Ame las melodías de las canciones y las letras. Quedé enamorada (mi oído) del bajo al final de "Michelle" luego de la última estrofa de la canción.

Lots of interesting songs and a great listen as usual. Sounds like a bridge album from the early poppy stuff to the later stuff I enjoy more. 4.5 but going to be tough since it is the Beatles.

How do you review the Beatles? Their songs are like air, or water. They are just there. I’ll give this a 4 because there are other Beatles albums I like better, but this still sounds enjoyable and fresh, 61 years later!

we already knowwwww

They were originals

I love this album, probably my 2nd favorite Beatles Album. Michelle and In My Life are certainly my favorite songs. This album doesn't probably has lower lows than something like Abbey Road and doesn't have as high of highs as Revolver, but its still easily a 5 for me.

There's a few songs I really like on this album, but I don't think it's as strong overall as some of their other albums. I don't think it's as inventive as some of their other albums. I like the weird Beatles better than the pining classic 60s-sounding stuff like Michelle and Girl. Drive my car is fucking sick.

another practice in what is now the traditional beatles experience of hearing a bunch of songs that have been culturally inscribed into my dna for decades but im just now hearing for the first time in the context of "huh i guess this is a beatles song". although Drive My Car fucks, i think most of the album's high points are more dreary songs (not in a bad way). generally speaking an album of 2 and a half minute bangers is based. favorite song is unfortunately In My Life or maybe Wait. like a strong 4.49/5

Rating: 8/10 Definitely one of my favorite Beatles albums as hard as it is to rank and rate a top 5 of this band. The A side is incredibly good, with lots of absolute classics, and What Goes On might be the only weak song on the album for me.

Great album. Pretty hard to peel away from the Beatles bias because I'm sure everyone (except for Kirill apparently) has heard all of these 8000 times, but even after all of that it's just a strong collection of songs that mesh together into a solid brick of music 9.0/10

8.12/10 4/5

A beautiful bridge for what was to come for them post 1965! A top favorite of mine

I've never listened to an entire Beatles album. I wonder how many of their albums will be on this list. Choc-a-block full of hits that are so deeply ingrained in my brain that it'd be hard to say I don't love this album. The handful of tracks that I hadn't heard before were fine, but didn't compare to the bangers. No surprises. I'm sure it's been commented on but Run For Your Life is a crazy track. Would relisten, and probably skip past the tracks I don't know.

I've never been a huge Beatles fan, but it's nearly impossible to ignore how bloody good this album is. A lot of all time classics, incredible songwriting, a total pleasure to listen to.

If you have one album that contains "Norwegian Wood", "Michelle", and "In My Life", that's a 5-star album even if the rest of the tracks are blank. But we also get to enjoy classics like "Drive My Car" and "Nowhere Man". Not all of the remaining songs are gems - "You Won't See Me" and "Run For Your Life" don't do a lot for me. But in addition to the R&B and even country influences, this is where the Beatles started experimenting with sitars and other non-traditionally Western instruments, and started treating the studio as an instrument, which would come to full fruition in later albums. Just great songwriting on full display.

1/16/25 I don't really know the Beatles. I didn't hate this. 7/10

I somehow...don't think I've ever listened to this album?! I grew up strictly on Yellow Submarine. It did strike me as predating the latter, and I was pleased to know I'd gotten that right. Gosh I love that font on the album art.

Can’t go wrong with any Beatles album!

who are "the beatles"?

boring for a Beatles album

Really good

Pretty chill Album, it's giving me summer, winter or weekend vibes and just chill vibes in general

It’s absolutely nuts that this is the SIXTH album from the Beatles when they’d just really broken out THREE years prior. You get that that’s nuts, right? That’s like if Taylor Swift went from Speak Now to Folklore in just THREE YEARS. I also love that right out the gate Paul McCartney gets his soul voice going. I swear he’s like having two singers inside of one guy. This album gets them out of the “yeah yeah yeah” phase and into the more trippy experimental Yellow Submarine type shit, and these dudes were firing on all cylinders. John’s got his wacky lyrics and they’re not even all about girls this time, Paul’s takin the bass and his voice for a goddamn walk, George brought a sitar along and tuned it wrong to play it oh so right, and Ringo’s there too I guess!

I guess given the time it would have been a newish sound but listening to it now, it's a bit dull. A couple of good songs but overall forgettable.

i grew up listening to this album in the car. personal favourite beatles record. favourite songs: girl, michelle, norwegian wood (this bird has flown) least favourite song: run for your life

I'm quite familiar with this album. It's not my favorite Beatles album, but it's darn good.

Fire

Great album for me, several hits and no filler between either.

Wasn't one of my favorite Beatles album, but I was surprised when I gave it a shot from the first to the last track. Kind of unsettling, tho, hearing Lennon sing about beating his wife (which he actually did).

2.4 - 3 really good tunes and some throwaway pop.

1965 - so innovative, leading edge. This is the transition album that had to come before their peak of Revolver and Sergeant Pepper. Lennon’s tunes are the stand outs and who doesn’t appreciate a token goofy Ringo track. You could never write Run For Your Life in today’s cultural context, a little scary LOL.

It’s The Beatles.

No my favorite Beatles album but who the hell asked nyway.

Rubber Soul reveals itself as a quietly subversive record, one whose humor is inseparable from its craft. The album’s wit is not broad or careless; it emerges through carefully balanced arrangements and lyrics that glide between playfulness and menace. The buoyant “beep beep” harmonies of “Drive My Car” mask a sharp satire of ambition, while “Norwegian Wood” couches emotional ambiguity in such gentle textures that its closing act of arson lands almost casually, as if mischief were its natural conclusion. What distinguishes Rubber Soul is this tension between lightness and intent. Songs like “Girl” function as disguised experiments: its droning accompaniment and sighing vocals recall a medieval ballad, reframed through John Lennon’s ironic romanticism. Elsewhere, the album allows itself moments of genuine reflection. “In My Life” stands apart in its sincerity, its melodic restraint and baroque-tinged clavichord line lending the song a sense of temporal depth. Rubber Soul marks a decisive broadening of their creative vocabulary, integrating humor, introspection, and sonic experimentation into a coherent whole. For most bands, this level of invention would constitute a peak. For the Beatles, it was merely the threshold.

VAIME DZVLIVS NORMALURI ALBUMI MOVIDA

Very Beatlesy. Catchy, dynamic, unique, performed well, dense, funny stereo imagery. Very well written and arranged and so classic. Obviously it has the benefit of being a Beatles record, but it just has this aura that it has always been both classic and fresh. The usage of harmony is so good. Every song, even if comparatively lesser, is at least a solid foot-tapper. A lil bit funky, a lil bit bluesy, a lil barbershop, rock percussion, good tones, good vibes. Fun record. It's not the most complete album in their discography, I personally think there is a bit of a lull in the middle. It's bookended by runs of bangers and true classics, but there is a 4-5 song stretch where I would hope for a bit more. I also do really wish the remaster chose to center the vocals in the stereo image. I understand why they might have pushed the stereo tech back in the day, but if you're gonna remaster it anyway then why not actually remaster it. Pushing everything to mono the way it was really designed is definitely a better listening experience, but that's not how they give it to you anymore. Ultimately it is a very, very, very good album and easy to listen to. Absolutely necessary album. I'm putting it towards the top of my 4 range, not quite giving it 5 stars. 4.3/5

5/10… 60s pop / classic rock / *1965

Have to give it to them, these songs are all enjoyable while not feeling repetitive. Was a fan of every song, you win this one beatles

é dificil escrever o grande carinho que eu criei por esse album. sou ruim com palavras mas de verdade acho rubber soul uma obra prima e sou muito grata a todo o trabalho, amor e paixao que foi dedicado a cada faixa :) eu te amo beatles eu te amo ahihi. :D

Para mim, este é o disco mais divertido e aconchegante dos Beatles, se não, de toda a década de 1960. A faixa inicial, Drive My Car, evidencia isso claramente. Há uma leveza impressionante nessas canções, é minha primeira escolha quando quero apenas dançar e cantar com os Beatles, e por um tempo já foi até meu álbum favorito deles, mas não mais. Este disco foi gravado antes do grupo decidir parar de performar os concertos ao vivo, então não há aqui nenhuma faixa tão densa e impenetrável como Tomorrow Never Knows, do disco seguinte, Revolver. É notável que este é um disco de transição, onde a banda ainda tem um pé no escopo da música pop, mas os primeiros sinais da sofisticação e aprofundamento musical aparecem aqui. O grupo exibe um amadurecimento sem igual nos dotes composicionais, com faixas complexas, letras profundas e existenciais, e instrumentalização variada e requintada. O maior pulo comparado com o disco anterior (Help) está, na minha opinião, no baixo de McCartney. Suas linhas são coloridas e agitadas, ele usa todo o braço do instrumento, e faz com que toda canção tenha um dinamismo e uma progressividade que simplesmente não existiam antes. Lennon já havia demonstrado antes o seu avanço como liricista, como na faixa titular de Help, onde ele abordava temas de insegurança e insuficiência, mas aqui ele tem faixas como Nowhere Man e In My Life, que falarei mais a fundo em breve. Engraçado que na minha review de Revolver, eu disse que preferia Rubber Soul, agora na minha review de Rubber Soul irei dizer que prefiro Revolver! Drive My Car abre o álbum com um ritmo pulsante e letras sardônicas, eu adoro o plot twist no final da letra. Aqui vai uma (rara) menção honrosa a versão Americana do disco, que inicia com I’ve Just Seen A Face, uma ótima introdução também, mas de resto, prefiro a versão original do álbum mesmo. Um crime a versão americana não conter Nowhere Man, uma das melhores composições de Lennon! Ouvi essa música ao vivo em 2024 no show do Paul, foi a abertura do concerto, e até entendo, é uma ótima abertura, com seu motif de piano e tudo mais. O solo exala personalidade, e os inesquecíveis “BEEP BEEP YEAH!” Em seguida, temos a emblemática Norwegian Wood. Uma composição linda, pastoral, cheia de vida e personalidade. A harmonia Lennon-McCartney na ponte é absurdamente linda “So I looked around and I noticed there wasn’t a chair”. A cítara de George fazendo sua primeira aparição, um instrumento fantástico e icônico para esse disco e para a banda, iniciando aqui a influência indiana que caracterizaria as adições de George na banda daqui adiante. O destaque pra mim é indubitavelmente a voz de Lennon, a forma com que ele conta essa história inusual. Se Rubber Soul tivesse uma música tema, esta seria ela. Tudo que se espera do disco está nessa faixa. You Won’t See Me expõe perfeitamente o que mencionei mais cedo sobre o baixo de McCartney. Essa linha dança junto dos versos, e das harmonias “ooh lá-lá lá”. Uma canção deliciosa de cantar junto, assim como o disco todo! Imagina eles tocando essa canção ao vivo? Seria maravilhoso. Uma grande pena. O pós-refrão é um dos meus favoritos do grupo, “Time after time, you refuse to even listen”. Nowhere Man, uma das minhas composições favoritas de Lennon. Letras maravilhosas, harmonias imbatíveis, e eu particularmente não consigo desprender da mente a imagem do Jeremy Hilary Boob, phD dançando pra essa canção. A voz de Lennon derrete com essa percussão de fundo, parabéns Ringo. Essa canção é como um abraço, parece que tudo está bem quando você a ouve. Todas suas ansiedades e preocupações desaparecem, take your time, don’t hurry. Think For Yourself é uma das minhas canções favoritas do George. Adoro seu tom ácido, e o fuzz no baixo é excitante demais, o verdadeiro protagonista desta faixa na minha opinião. Claramente George teve um crescimento imenso nestes poucos meses desde Help, naquele disco, suas contribuições eram esquecíveis, eu consideraria até o ponto fraco daquele disco (You Like Me Too Much), mas aqui ele virou o jogo. The Word é uma canção que às vezes pode parecer maçante devido a seu refrão, mas com um ouvido mais calibrado você nunca vai se cansar dela. Primeiramente, e eu sinto que estou me repetindo pra caramba, mas O BAIXO DE MCCARTNEY novamente rouba o show. Que linha deliciosa, saltitante, divertida. Temos também o lick na ponte de Lennon, e com tudo isso junto, temos uma das canções mais subestimadas do álbum. Michelle é um dos maiores hits do disco, uma das canções mais coverizadas da história também. Na minha visão, é como uma sequência de Yesterday, do disco anterior. Uma melodia gostosa, a harmonia de fundo é ótima, clássica, a voz de Paul é suplicante e belíssima, uma de suas melhores performances. Essa canção me lembra muito Beach Boys. Gosto muito do Solo seguido do suplício “I want you, I want you, I want you”. What Goes On é a canção Ringonesca obrigatória de carteirinha. Mas é uma das minhas performances favoritas dele, com a rara colaboração Lennon-McCartney-Starkey. O estilo meio Country, com a guitarra Honky-Tonk durante os versos, e as letras melancólicas e poéticas, cheias de Ringonismos do mais alto escalão. Outra canção divertidíssima (e fácil) de cantar. E eu amo as harmonias no fundo durante os versos, e o Paul falando no fundo, bem baixinho, “tell him why!” (aos 1:28). Já dancei pra essa canção inúmeras vezes, ela se encaixa tão perfeitamente no álbum e não parece um shoe-in feito só pra incluir o baterista. Girl existe para desacelerar um pouco o ritmo depois da agitada What Goes On. Ela possui um tom sombrio e postulante. Ela, assim como uma garota, é cheia de traços únicos e peculiaridades, como a aspiração de Lennon no refrão, ou a harmonia de “ti-ti-ti-tis” no pós-refrão, uma canção repleta de charme, extremamente memorável, igual a garota que Lennon canta sobre, provavelmente. I’m Looking Through You é hiper-animada, com os claps, e aquele Riff agressivo, que dependendo da mixagem que você esteja ouvindo, pode até doer um pouco os ouvidos. Uma canção difícil e inacessível, mas que depois que você quebra as barreiras sônicas, acaba sendo bem amável. Gosto muito da ponte, “Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?”é uma melodia cativante e é executada impecavelmente. In My Life… É difícil achar as palavras pra descrever o que essa canção me faz sentir. Essa saudade… Essa nostalgia… É tudo muito lindo, e Lennon toca o coração e alma com a forma que ele entrega seu vocal. Double-tracking perfeito, harmonias lindas que acentuam idealmente cada linha. Beatles têm várias canções que eu considero perfeitas, e essa é uma delas. O solo de piano acelerado que se assemelha a um cravo evoca sensações idílicas, que pouquíssimas canções conseguem alcançar. Se essa fosse a ÚNICA canção que Lennon tivesse composto em toda sua vida, eu ainda assim o consideraria um gênio. De pensar que além disso ele ainda possui dezenas de outras canções tão boas quanto (e às vezes até melhores)... Que ser humano surreal, que alma rica e cheia de arte. Wait é outro dos meus cortes favoritos do disco. Lennon-McCartney possuem vocais imparáveis aqui, as vozes combinadas se tornam uma só. Pode parecer besteira, mas tente fazer isso com outra pessoa aí qualquer hora, é um efeito quase que super-humano. Além dos vocais, temos um ritmo marechal de acompanhamento, com direito até a maracás e pandeiros. Outra canção favorita para cantar e dançar. Acredito que essa seja a canção mais Pop desse disco, ela facilmente encaixaria em um dos discos prévios do grupo. If I Needed Someone é a segunda contribuição de George ao álbum, e infelizmente, não é tão forte quanto a primeira. Acho essa canção um pouco monótona, apesar de gostar dos versos e especialmente do pós-refrão. Felizmente, ela é bem curta, então sua falta de dinamismo não chega a ser um ponto negativo (esse disco não possui pontos negativos). Pra fechar o disco, temos Run For Your Life. A canção mais controvérsia do disco, com muita gente dizendo que ela invalida tudo que a antecede. Já vi cada take doido sobre essa faixa e o quanto ela atrai atenção. Claro, as letras são chamativas. Problemáticas? Eu particularmente não acho. Acho que fica bem claro o tom irônico e humorístico da faixa. Claro que, o histórico de Lennon não ajuda o caso, com ele já tendo (uma vez) atacado sua ex-mulher fisicamente. Mas é o que eu digo, ele era jovem, e francamente, louco. Não justifica, claro, mas felizmente não era algo recorrente. Foi um episódio isolado. O que era recorrente era ele tratando sua mulher como merda, e as inúmeras infidelidades. O cara foi, de fato, um grande hipócrita compondo essa canção motivada por ciúme. Mas apesar disso, eu ainda gosto bastante desse corte, acho uma ótima maneira de terminar o disco, com um ritmo animado, e uma canção deliciosa de cantar junto (apesar das letras). Não acho necessário revisionismo, gosto que Lennon expôs nessa faixa o seu lado mais sujo e desumano. Ele nunca escondeu o que era, de fato, o seu maior defeito, e acho ridículo quando as pessoas acham um “Gotcha” mencionar coisas que o próprio artista admitia o tempo todo, até mesmo em canções como essa. Não estou passando pano, estou tentando enxergar as coisas de maneira justa. E essa música é ótima, entendo quem a odeia por repulsa a seu conteúdo lírico, mas não sou um deles. Rubber Soul é um disco perfeito. Um momento de transição sem comparações, onde a banda estava em um processo de metamorfose, e nós ouvintes tivemos o privilégio de ver tudo em primeira mão através dessas gravações. Esse não é meu disco favorito dos Beatles, o meu favorito é Abbey Road, mas sem Rubber Soul aquele disco não poderia existir. Esse álbum foi um passo enorme na trajetória da banda, e expandiu os horizontes não só para eles, mas também para todo o âmbito da música popular. Um disco monumental, assim como grande parte do acervo dos Beatles. Uma escuta leve e divertida, composições icônicas e eternamente memoráveis, e tudo isso feito em apenas poucos meses. Uma unidade criativa sem igual. Palheta laranja, marrom e verde escuro. Outono. Cheiro de café e gosto de chocolate amargo. Vento gelado no rosto. Névoa matinal, o Sol penetrando as frestas da janela em um domingo preguiçoso. 5/5

C'était super, j'écoutait bcp les Beatles à une certaine époque. Ça m'a fait plaisir d'écouter ça.

4,5

Great Album with one of my alltime favourite songs. But they will have even better records… Fav: Norwegian Wood

I think this is where the Beatles really entered a new era, more mature. It's a great evolution in such a short time. A great listen.

Really rich listening experience.

**Rubber Soul** is the album where The Beatles stopped being “the world’s biggest pop group” and became, without anyone quite realizing it yet, the world’s most important band. Recorded in four frantic weeks (Oct–Nov 1965) and rushed out for Christmas, it sounds like four young men who have just discovered that the studio is an instrument, that songs can be about doubt instead of certainty, and that a three-minute single can carry the weight of a short story. Below is a track-by-track autopsy of the record, followed by a summary of its enduring strengths and its unavoidable blind spots. --- ### 1. Lyrics: from “I love you” to “I’m not sure I like you” - **“Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)”** – A muted account of an affair that ends with the singer burning the girl’s flat down. The first pop song to use an Indian instrument (George’s sitar) and the first to treat sex as something that can leave both parties bored and vengeful. - **“Nowhere Man”** – Lennon writes an existential portrait of himself before he’s heard the word *existential*. No verse-chorus love hook; instead a diagnosis of post-war anomie set to three-part harmony. - **“In My Life”** – A memoir in 2½ minutes. The childhood landmarks are *imagined* (Lennon hadn’t actually lived near those places) but the ache of retrospection is real. The baroque piano solo—played at half-speed, then sped up—turns memory into porcelain. - **“Think for Yourself”** – Harrison’s first great poison-pen letter. The fuzz bass sounds like a Rottweiler let off the leash, the lyric is pure Dylan-style rebuke. - **“Girl”** – A Greek chorus of ironic “aaah” sighs circle a femme fatale who may be cannabis personified. The last verse hints at abortion (“she will promise to you what she cannot give”). - **“The Word”** – A proto-hippie manifesto: love as secular gospel. The lyric is simple, but the seven-vocal weave and suspended harmonium chords make it feel like the first baptism of the counter-culture. Across the album the pronouns shift: *she* becomes *you*, then *I*, then *nobody*. Love is no longer a destination; it’s a problem to be solved or escaped. --- ### 2. Music: Folk-rock DNA with studio sabotage - **Harmonic palette widens**: “Michelle” slips into French *chanson* via ii–V–I cycles; “If I Needed Someone” is built on the Indian *drone* (♭VII) that Harrison would soon export to the Byrds. - **Texture over volume**: Ringo swaps crash cymbals for tambourine and maracas; McCartney’s bass becomes a lead guitar played an octave down (“Drive My Car” intro). - **Varispeed vandalism**: “In My Life” solo recorded at half-speed; “The Word” has backwards drum fills rehearsed, then flipped; “Norwegian Wood” tape runs slightly fast so the sitar jangles like a broken music box. - **12-string Rickenbacker symmetry**: Harrison’s chiming riff on “If I Needed Someone” repays the debt to Roger McGuinn, who had borrowed the same guitar idea from *A Hard Day’s Night* the year before. The result is a folk-rock record that never quite sits still: every acoustic strum is shadowed by an electric drone, a bass counter-melody, or a harmony that arrives a millisecond late. --- ### 3. Production: George Martin’s last night at the pub before the laboratory - **Four-track, no safety net**: Most songs cut live to track one, overdubs (sitar, fuzz bass, harmonium) added during the final evening. The scrambling created bleed and ghost-notes that digital would sterilize later. - **Close-miked vocals**: Lennon and McCartney share a single Neumann U47; you can hear teeth click and throat swallows, giving the lie to the myth that Beatles records were squeaky-clean. - **Fake stereo**: Capitol’s US master folds the bass to one channel and the treble to another, accidentally creating a “duel” mix that makes headphones feel like eavesdropping. Martin later called *Rubber Soul* “the first album I would play to people who asked what a record producer actually *does*.” --- ### 4. Themes: the five o’clock shadow of Swinging London - **Alienation in affluence**: Cars, girls, apartments—yet the singer is still “nowhere”. The Beatles have money and speed, but the songs smell of burnt toast and stale perfume. - **Cannabis as lens**: Dylan had handed them grass in August ’64; a year later the drug’s slowed time-sense shows up in the languid tempos and circular lyrics (“Girl”, “Wait”). - **Gender realism**: Women own flats (“Norwegian Wood”), dictate terms (“Drive My Car”), or simply leave (“You Won’t See Me”). For 1965 pop this is revolutionary; the Beatles stop writing about girls as trophies and start writing about them as adults with mortgages. --- ### 5. Influence: the hinge on which the 60s turn - **Immediate**: Brian Wilson hears the acoustic-guitar/organ texture of “You Won’t See Me” and heads back to the studio to begin *Pet Sounds*. The Byrds hear “If I Needed Someone” and invent jangle-pop. - **Long-tail**: – **1980s indie**: R.E.M.’s entire first LP is basically “I’ve Just Seen a Face” at 45 r.p.m. – **1990s Britpop**: Oasis crib the two-part harmony moves of “The Word” for “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. – **2000s freak-folk**: Joanna Newsom’s harpsichord lines on *Ys* trace back to the fake-Baroque piano solo of “In My Life”. Without *Rubber Soul* there is no *Pet Sounds*, no *Revolver*, no *Sgt. Pepper*—and arguably no concept of the album as a self-standing art object rather than a singles receptacle. --- ### 6. Pros & Cons (the short, honest version) | Pros | Cons | |---|---| | 1. First Beatles record conceived as an *album*—sequence matters, mood sustains. | 1. McCartney filler: “What Goes On” is a Carl Perkins retread; “Wait” was dug out of the *Help!* sessions and sounds like it. | | 2. Lyrics reach adult complexity without surrendering melodic immediacy. | 2. Stereo mix is an afterthought; instruments slammed to one channel can feel lopsided on headphones. | | 3. Harrison emerges as a songwriter (“Think for Yourself”, “If I Needed Someone”). | 3. US Capitol butcher-block sequencing deletes “Drive My Car”, “Nowhere Man”, etc., and substitutes weaker *Help!* acoustic cuts, diluting the conceptual punch. | | 4. Production innovations (varispeed, sitar, fuzz bass) that still sound fresh. | 4. Running time: 34 min 42 s—over before side-two themes fully bloom. | | 5. Bridge between Beatlemania and psychedelia—accessible enough for radio, weird enough for dorm-room debate. | 5. No Ringo vocal; his personality is missed and the band would correct this on every subsequent LP. | --- ### Verdict *Rubber Soul* is the sound of four people realizing that pop music can be literature, interior design, and political argument all at once. It isn’t flawless—McCartney’s country shuffle and Capitol’s track-shuffling see to that—but its best songs (“Norwegian Wood”, “In My Life”, “Nowhere Man”, “Girl”) are perfect miniatures whose hairline cracks let the future leak in. If you want to hear the exact moment the 1960s stopped being black-and-white and turned into color, drop the needle on side one, track one—even if, on the UK edition, that track is the cocky “Drive My Car” announcing that the Beatles are now in the driver’s seat of both their career and the culture.

Will def listen to this one stoned

Interesting... Been on a bit of a Beatles deep dive recently. But I feel like this album is the album where they became THE Beatles. Not really sure how or why, but I think John and Paul fully started to become great songwriters. Its obviously very bluesy, but I think there's rumblings of very interesting stuff, like the sitar on Norwegian wood, as I guess Rubber Soul was only a year later. There's a fair amount of acoustic-based songs on here, which are great. I feel like John Lennon was making largely more abstract/arty songs like nowhere man and Norwegian wood, Nowhere man is (I think) one of if not my favourite Beatles song, its so interesting. Not too much else to say why its good, its the Beatles, I think its surpassed by pretty much every album they did past this point though. Favourite songs: all. Overall around 9/10

Greatest album of all time

Mega. Great hearing them evolve from the pure love song format on this. Some of my favourite Beatles songs on this. The Elvis cover at the end is a bit odd

The Beatles. Timeless music that will last a very long time. Nothing but goodness through and through. A great album.

I know it's a classic and I know it has some brilliant songs (In my life) but for some reason Rubber Soul always leaves me feeling a little cold.

Bit disappointing but this was the last of the pre-LSD era Beatles albums. A few good tracks with the usual fillers, Revolver came next and with it all their experimental creativity.

Would have been 5 stars but Run For Your Life is...problematic!

Some of their best tracks (Norwegian Wood) and the first great album from them

a few bangers (michelle, norwegian wood) but most sound too similar to each other

I liked it. Can't really go too wrong with the Beatles tbh.

Look the beatles have great album covers, but this is not itttt. Love the hair cuts tho. BEEP BEEP YEAH Will never be a big beatles fan, but i have great respect for them tbh. Music slaps, just not my vibe ig. The writing is very smart and catchy omg slay. Guys "Michelle" is awesome Guys why does a little girl need to die lmao

I will admit I am not the biggest Beatles person, and this is the first time I have listened to a Beatles from front to back. It was okay. There were a few songs I enjoyed. I liked Norwegian Wood. I really liked Michelle, I actually added it to my library. In My Life is extremely beautiful. The rest were okay. I was hoping this would start my conversion into a Beatles fan, but I fear it has maybe cemented my meh opinion on them instead.

A great Beatles album! Would own.

One of the best album by the Beatles! 10/5 stars

Doesn't feature any of my favourite Beatles songs, but a sign of the great things to come.

its not too bad of an album i would listen to this on shrooms

Among the albums I've had so far, some are really great, some are boring, some are just shit, some just have a really good sound and is interesting and creative but maybe the songs aren't all there but you feel generous so give out a 4. My first Beatles album in this exercise and just when you listen to them it raises the bar considerably, much like they were doing this time 60 years ago. The first few Beatles albums have great hooks and melodies and are influenced by 1950s rock n roll but around this time they start to be influenced by their peers: Dylan, the Byrds et al. It's dreamy and mellow through most of it (they're on cannabis at this point), but the lyrics are often cynical and sarcastic and they tell great stories. The songs you don't often hear (You Won't See Me, Girl) are almost as great as the ones you do (Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man) and Harrison comes into his own with the excellent I'm Looking Through You. Run for Your Life may sound lyrically dated these days but is a pretty good tune, and Michelle still sounds beautiful today. If I were to pick a worst track it would be 'The Word' but that fits in OK too. And of course, In My Life is one of the greatest songs ever written. Hardly the only classic album the Beatles have made, but for me it vies with Revolver and Abbey Road in their top 3 and might be the best album I've had in this so far.

Beatles near their best, nothing to say that hasn't been said a trillion times before. This is really the ruening point of when they become the band that changed everything. 9/10

Eerlijk, overrated. Album is wel begin van de betere albums

Obligatory "Every Beatles Album"

De mis favoritos de ellos, me encantaaaa especialmente: - norwegian wood - nowhere man - michelle - girl - im looking through you - if i needed someone

Mid except for the songs that are good. This one is kinda lost on me honestly

One of my favourite Beatles albums

It's not a bad album, it is just not my taste and I couldn't really relate to it.

It's an album.

it's was good. almost a four. wis it was a little more upbeat but overall pretty good

Some bangers indeed. Thought the second half of the album was much better it definitely improved throughout. Lacked any cohesion between songs.

Well it was definitely the beatles.

The apex of their pop mastery. A comfortable looseness, like George's guitar parts on What Goes On, and great swing. Just hinting at the experimental era to come. Not a weak track on the album. I have heard this record 1001 times, and this is my first time listening to the mono mixes, which are the only mixes the Beatles supervised. It takes away a lot of the gimmicky panning, and makes it more immediate, and curiously, less dated.

pretty good, not my kinda thing but I can rock with it, I can understand why a lot of people like this album which is why I am willing to give it a higher rating than I would otherwise, so here you go 7.5/10 maybe an 8 on a good day, but I suppose I might like it more with a few more listens

Was hoping for an unknown find for my first album, but you can’t go wrong with the Beattles! Mellow vibes and good for office listening.

Hmm this one started strong but didn't like it as much as the Elton John one, okay but some of the songs as a bit sameish. Probably wouldn't listen again.

Upbeat Songs, album didnt blend together just songs

Jag har nämnt det åtskilliga gånger förut och här kommer det igen ...60talet handlar om singlar. Här exempelifierat av att "Daytripper/We can work it out" inte är med på albumet, släpptes bara som en dubbel a-sidig singel. Jag ska också svära lite försynt. Beatles kan förstås aldrig överskattas men dom gjorde aldrig ett riktigt genombra album om du frågar mig. Det är ingen slump att när folk tillfrågas om favoritbeatleaslbum är det många som svarar den röda eller den blåa. Rubber soul följer samma mönster, 14 låtar (som alltid) varav en handfull är kanonbra och resten ren utfyllnad. Att the Beatles fått upp ögonen för amerikansk folkrock i allmänhet och the Byrds i synnerhet är inte ens maskerat. Recension ofullständig pga snôoväder....

Ses väl som någon brytpunkt mellan tidig och sen Beatles, håren lite längre och typsnittet lite flummigare på omslaget. Men musiken har egentligen inte förändrats så mycket jämfört med föregångaren Help! Något mer förfinad produktion, så som groovigt piano på Drive my car och sitar på Norwegian wood. Bäst är de småstökiga poplåtarna Think for yourself, Harrisons If I needed someone och The Word (framförallt verserna). Drive my car är också härligt Ringo-drivig. Det finns också en del rätt trötta stunder som vi kunde varit utan: Michelle, In my life, Girl till exempel.

Ofta hyllat som ett av Beatlarnas bästa. Något jag inte riktigt kan hålla med om. Det är roligare såväl med album före och definitivt med efterföljande Revolver. Här finns flera fina popkompositioner men framförandet är i regel rätt tamt. Det är inte för intet som det i regel finns coverversioner som är bättre än Beatlarnas original. I synnerhet gällande första halvan av deras produktion. Men som sagt flera i grunden bra låtar som Drive My car, Norwegian Wood, Waits osv låter albumet landa in på en stabil trea.

Jag läser på Wikipedia att Beatles hyllades för att ha utvecklat albumformatet med Rubber Soul. Det förstår jag inte alls. Det finns en energi i Drive my car. I övrigt rätt ordinär 60-talspop. En samling låtar helt enkelt, inget särskilt ur ett albumperspektiv. Ingen röd tråd. Hyllandet verkar mest handla om att de skrivit låtarna själva. Det hade väl sin relevans då, men när jag hör låtarna som det är idag så blir jag inte imponerad. Texterna är i bästa fall tramsiga. Det finns musikaliska inslag som är bra, nåt piano där och någon basslinga här. Men ingen fantastiska låtar. Hur kom avslutande Run for your life med? Brittiska ynglingar sjunger glatt om att det ska ha ihjäl en liten flicka. Med nöd och näppe blir det en tvåa.

One of the best Beatles albums and therefore one of the best albums full stop. The only possible criticism that I can level at it is that it’s a set of utterly sublime songs sandwiched between a good but pretty throwaway pop song and a really weird, is-it-ironic-who-is-the-joke-on oddity (Drive My Car and Run for Your Life)

One of the best Beatles album, forgot how much I’d liked the song girl, all of my life is one of my all time favorites

Almost the best Beatles album. Certainly the shift from pop to their own brand.

8.3

Rubber Soul is a layup for the 1st album out 1001. Transitional Beatles album with no bad tracks.

Best Beatles album. Nowhere Man is awesome. ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME, NOT A SINGLE BAD SONG.

Probably not the very best of the Beatles but In My Life is such a wonderful song I wouldn’t really say there’s any songs I don’t like in there but a lot of them just kinda exist

Its okay to leave your dog in a hot car (Yeah!) I do know this album very well (ofc) but there are a lot of songs that are still fantastic. In my Life is still probably the best beatles song or at least top 3. I like how you can start to hear the songwriting and sound branch out from their previous albums some songs are duds and are pretty lame but then you got norwegian wood and nowhere man so its all ok i do like how theyre playing around with sound and instrumentation and it gives each track more of its own identity and personality still think revolver is better

Author's note: I reviewed the US release and not the UK release. It turns out to have made a world of difference (or at least 1 star...) 1965, 6th (SIXTH) studio album, all songs originals and no covers. Always viewed this as a bridge album from the pop albums to the psychedelic ones. Opening song I've Just Seen a Face is an absolute banger. Great first track, impossible (for me) not to sing along. Norwegian Wood a classic. Same for You Won't See Me. Classic 60s sound in both. Think For Yourself and The Word both good not great. Followed by Michelle, an unbelievably tender song. Supposedly the name Michelle was the most popular girls' name in 1966, after the release of this album. True or not, it's a great story. Other classics abound, from Girl, to I'm Looking Through You, and In My Life. Supposedly, the Beatles took more control in the studio, defining the sound they wanted. Unbelievable album, easily one of their best. I had literally forgotten just how good it was/is. Supposedly George Harrison's favorite Beatles album, and that is hard to argue with.

I can’t tell if I’m biased against the Beatles or if this album is extremely mid. I can say that there are some really good songs on the album, but I know that there are better albums that they made. Another thing is that some of the songs don’t even sound like the Beatles, like What Goes On, but then there are total classics like Nowhere Man. I’m torn on saying this album is good and saying it’s bad.

It took me over 24 hours to write this review because I quite literally didn't know what to write. I think when I was younger I would have automatically given this an instant rating of 5. I mean, it's Rubber Soul, right? By the Beatles!?! But honestly, it's just kinda underwhelming. They just weren't there yet. Revolver was a big step forward, and by Sgt. Peppers they had completely changed their sound. Rubber Soul, to me, still has too many problems of the early Beatles, and some of them sure haven't aged well. The music is pretty crisp. Catchy, pop-rocky, with a clean and punchy sound. The mono mix sounds good and the production is overall solid, but the lyrics go "baby you can drive my car beep beep yeah", "run for your life if I catch you with another man, little girl". What is going on? The endless harmonizing becomes grating after a while, however it does have a few standouts, most notable Norwegian Wood, In My Life, and I’m Looking Through You. The funny part is, even though I have so many issues with the album, it’s still one I would gladly come back to because it is just that good and I have a lot of nostalgia for it. This may be a "it's not you, it's me" scenario, but the I’d probably give it a 3.5/5.

I always enjoy listening to the Beatles and I feel like I hear something new every time I listen.

Nothing to say that hasn't already been said. The album that transitioned the Beatles into my favourite era of theirs.

this is one of my favorite beatles albums of all time. it's such a spectacular representation of them as artists, and i also just adore i've just seen a face.

🖤 i love the beatles

8.2/10

Drive my car 8.4/10 Norwegian Bjrd: 8.5/10 You won’t see me: 7.5/10 Nowhere Man: 7/10 Think for yourself: 6.1/10 The word: 5/10 Michelle: 5/10 What goes on: 5/10 Girl: 4.7/10 I’m looking through you: 6.1/10 In my life: 7.8/10 very nostalgic Wait: 8.4/10 If I needed someone: 4/10 Run for your life: 5.3/10

Me gustó aunque me parece muy lo que he escuchado de los beatles siempre (a lo mejor si pero no estoy segura) Me recordó a Amílcar y por eso le pongo 3 estrellas 🧡

Classic. I’m glad I listened to the whole thing with today’s ears, though. It’s not my favorite record of all time - not even close - but it’s still a 5.

Fire

Reminds me of my childhood! A very deep place these songs occupy in my heart

Had it in mind that this had slipped in reputation for me. Today’s listen though made me realise that I love this album but really don’t like Drive My Car and Michelle. I was also reminded today that Day Tripper and We Can Work It Out were nabbed for a double A-side from this album. If those replaced my the two I don’t like, this would be a stone cold classic. They hit a real sweet spot with the songwriting here, Paul may be responsible for the two I have a problem with, but elsewhere he is on fire. John delivers some masterpieces in The Word, Girl and In My Life and George is way ahead of time with If I Needed Someone which would be very at home on Revolver. So probably a 9/10 for me but I’ll save my 5 star votes for my absolute top Beatles of which there will be several.

Was great considering I hated the Beatles before. Favourite song was Wait.

Norwegian Wood is top ten. What a record.

Pretty good

Oddly pretty nice

This is another favorite of mine. To me, more than Revolver, it represents the Beatles’ inflection point into psychedelia. But also the narrative throughline of heartbreak and nostalgia (Norwegian Wood, Michelle, I’m Looking Through You, Think for Yourself) makes it arguably the most cohesive Beatles record, maybe tied with Sgt Pepper or Abbey Road.

Just when I thought that most of the album sucked, Run For Your Life came on. 🤢 The only songs I would save are Norwegian Wood and In My Life. The rest is buns

Bangerrr

sounds like spongebob music

cabrones, ta chido

3.5 Songs i liked: Think for yourself Michelle Girl I'm looking through Wait

obviously i adore the beatles but im unfortunately a michelle and drive my car hater… in my life and im looking through you and norwegian wood and nowhere man are such highs though it can’t be any lower

I’ve always respected The Beatles for their impact on pop music—and popular culture more broadly—but they’ve never fully connected with me on a personal level. Rubber Soul changed that. For the first time, I hear the band maturing in real time, moving beyond the frenzy of their early hits into something more cohesive and emotionally grounded. There’s a thread running through this album—warm, connected, and deliberately crafted—that feels like more than bubblegum pop. The songs explore mature relationships and grown-up emotions with a clarity and subtlety I didn’t associate with their earlier work. It’s also the first Beatles album where I can distinctly hear the personalities and contributions of each member, rather than just “the band” as a phenomenon. Whether it’s the familiar tunes (and there are plenty) or the ones that were new to me, Rubber Soul is a consistently strong, enjoyable listen.

Me: “Jane, these are called ‘classics.’” Everybody likes this music.” Jane: “Daddy put on music from Auntie Cora.”

Fine setup for Revolver & Sgt Pepper

Before listening: this is my second favorite Beatles album and I just love it. After: This still holds up! I forgot how many of my favorite Beatles songs are on this album and the vocal harmonies throughout are otherworldly! I will say that I still don’t really care for Run for your Life, especially as the closer. My favorites are In My Life, If I Needed Someone, Norwegian Wood, and If You Won’t See Me

My sister, when we were in high school, was really into this for a while. I think this is my first time as an adult listening to it front to back. I can hear the roots of so much music that I love in this album. It's the ur-album for so many subgenres of pop and rock music. I can do without Run for Your Life, but otherwise pretty perfect.

4/5

Güzeldi sevdim.

Listend on 12/30/25 I liked the more psycadelic elements of this album. It was also a little bit twangy which was fun and unexpected for The Beatles. Favorite Song on the Album - Wait and Norweigan Wood

Прікольна. Воно спокійне таке з приємним вайбіком. Під таку музику мало б бути весело їхати в далеку подорож на машині влітку

not my style

I mean, what is there to say about this album? The Beatles are the best. This is their consensus, what, 5th best album, and it’s got hit after hit after hit. Songs added to the playlist: Drive My Car Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) You Won’t See Me Nowhere Man Michelle What Goes On I’m Looking Through You In My Life Wait If I Needed Someone Run For Your Life

folk i wasn’t really into it

4.5

Its ok

Sure, great album.

Never been a beetles fan, was ok. Harmonies don’t do it for me. Tunes are meh

a great album that has one of my favorite beatles song!

Classis Beatles album. All the songs have this clear Beatles-like vibe I loved some songs, others I found boring.

Think I'm in agreement with many reviews I've seen that this marks the start of their run of really great albums but unlike others I feel that it's not quite top tier like Sgt Pepper, Abbey Road and Revolver. Still any album with songs like Norwegian Wood and In My Life can't be too bad. 4 out of 5

Good album. Hard to give the Beatles anything below a 4 star.

I’d hoped for a surprise new favorite or two, but I guess hoping the Beatles might surprise you is like hoping Christie Brinkley would come down off the poster on the wall of my teenage bedroom…

The moment when the Beatles became something more. When I first heard heard this, it sounded like any other album. But on closer listen, there were more layers, more experimentation, seeds that would pave the way for their future sounds. Rumour has it that this change was a result of meeting Dylan and smoking cannabis for the first time. Whatever happened, it’s a great album.

Easy 5 stars. Fantastic Beatles album

I don’t know the Beatles well, so listening was pretty new for me. It makes sense why their music is classic. I like their choices on the instrumentals as they all felt intentional and well thought. No significant highs for me on this record though.

I think Rubber Soul is probably "the" Beatles album for me. A trim 35 minutes of great original material... no covers and no bad tracks. "Drive My Car" is really fun ("Beep-beep-mm-beep-beep, yeah!") and I also like "You Won't See Me," "Nowhere Man," "Michelle," and "Run For Your Life." And then, operating at a level above all of the rest, is the all-timer "In My Life." "In My Life" was one of my mom's favorite songs; I think that was a good call.

The album where they turned the corner into a great band. Probably my most frequent Beatles listen.

A true must listen. So many classics.

Rv

changes. transition. growing up.

norwegian wood is my fav song by these dummies

9.0

Another perfect album by the greatest band that ever was or ever will be!

Not a Beatles guy but this album was fun. “Norwegian Wood” has all the more meaning after reading Murakami’s novel of the same name. I enjoyed this one.

The Beatles quality reaches such heights. This album has some good tracks and some average (for them). A low 4/high 3 for me.

One hook, one idea, next song. Blues without soul or pain or anger … Rubber Soul is the perfect name for this album. Having said that - this is decidedly better than the White Album and thankfully … doesn’t have any novelty songs. A few decent tracks as well High 2/5 - my favourite Beatles album so far Drive My Car - catchy and kitsch , “beep beep m beep beep yeah” (2/5) Norwegian Wood - pleasant, short, lyrically basic, nice sitar (3/5) You won’t see me - forgettable, paint by numbers rock (2/5) Nowhere Man - similar to the previous track, to me it sounds basic (2/5) Think for Yourself - Swinging 60s, like a beach boys song that didn’t make the cut (2/5) The Word - hate the production, like the song. That walking bass line is great. Would love to hear the kinks cover this (3/5) Michelle - more experimental and interesting, even if I don’t like the chorus … Paul threatening to write a good one here 3/5 What Goes On - country blues, lyrics of its time RE woman. I do feel for John L a bit (2/5) Girl - objectively bad lyrics, harmonies are good (2/5) I’m Looking Through You - simple but classic, better (3/5) In My Life - even I can admit this is a great song (4/5) Wait - catchy, not memorable (2/5) If I Needed Someone - trippy, pyschadelic … I like this. Production is too clean. But this is a strong song (4/5) Run for Your Life - a song about murdering a girlfriend if she ever cheats somehow finds a way to be dull (2/5)

The first truly exciting Beatles album.

This is clearly a major turning point in The Beatles’ (and pop music’s) development. Despite this being their sixth album in three years, the number of ideas and quality of songwriting is only increasing and an edge has been gained. At this point you couldn’t swap their songs out for any other group without the complex and unique compositions losing something.

The first truly great Beatles album

The most significant album ever?

The Beatles are always good, which onr is your favourite is a matter of taste. This is not my favourite therefore 4/5

The Beatles are starting to use the studio as an instrument, the material is kinda good, but I didn't feel it was a major step up to have it in the list.

unquestionably the 4th best beatles album

8/10

Nice, groovy 4/5

So much variety, sonically, lyrically, etc. One of the best Beatles albums.

A ver, no está mal. Pero si esto es lo primero que alguien escucha por primera vez de los beatles, no es lo mejor

First time listening to this album as a whole but norwegian wood has been in my folksy rotation for many years now 🙂‍↕️ that last song, “run for your life”, left a bad taste in my mouth, though. like get away from heeerrr

Looking through is a good song. It is good, but like, is it top 10 albums ever good? idk i enjoyed most of it though, but other than the looking through, it felt like all the other songs kinda blended together?

Relisten

My second favorite Beatles album behind Sgt. Pepper. Just a good, clean style of rock and roll.

Later Beatles are definitely what I prefer, and this is a bridge between the rock n roll of the early Beatles, and the psychedelia they would be dipping their toes into just one album later. Favorite tracks: "All My Life", "I'm Looking Through You", "Drive My Car” 4⭐️

I was waiting for this one. It's the last dreggs of rock n' roll/folk-country before the Beatles found their swing. And it's a good album. Probably not my favourite though. There's plenty of fun, starting with Drive my Car and moving later to the 'The Word'. George Harrison flexes his songwriting skills a fair bit on this and even Ringo wrote a few lines in 'What Goes On'. Norwegian Wood is a clever spot of songwriting that ticks the folk box. Michelle is probably one of Macca's better soft numbers. There's still a bit of complaining about Jane Asher (something the last two Beatles albums had on them). And, 'In my Life' is a beautiful piece of music. 5 stars.

This album is like the first couple of days road tripping in a combi van with your hippie girlfriend and her psychedelic friends. You’re in for a good time, but you haven’t fully assimilated to their ways yet. You and your girlfriend are in the back of the van, with some guy called Gavin. Gavin is talking about the freedom of polyamorous romance, but you can’t help notice he is only really talking to your girlfriend and he’s ignoring you. You don’t like Gavin, and you are not yet comfortable in this journey.

A fine Beatles album but I could not pick this out from any other of their albums or pick what,makes this special over others.

4/5 really good Beatles album but still prefer later stuff. Very consistent and a nice vibe to it.

Miluju Beatles, hodně písniček jsem již znala. Neměla jsem ale pocit, že by album tvořilo celek a že by mi poslech alba dal něco víc než poslech jednotlivých písniček.

Someone should sign these guys

*taking a huge hit of my joint* girl.........

Another Beatles album! Rubber Soul has always been a favorite of mine- it really represents a turning point in the Beatles sound and approach to songwriting. So many hits including Michelle which is a masterful pop love song. The album is not without it's flaws though. There are still a few leftover cheesy pop rock numbers from their early sound. Still- nothing that glaringly tarnishes the album. Overall- i would give it a 4.5/5, but given its impact at the hits, it can br rounded to a 5

Amazing album

Mid album. I was really bored listening to this. There was really so much creativity happening during this time it’s hard to see how the Beatles were revolutionary. Maybe this is when they were starting to shed their happy little British school boy rock image? I’ll watch the documentary on Apple Music and see what the hype is about. Right now it’s like a 2-5. Holy shit that last song is horrible

Again feel mad to give a Beatles album this rating but it just doesn’t move me in anyway whatsoever, I don’t think it’s bad at all but it doesn’t do anything for me. It’s obviously some perfectly made pop songs, but that is it. Best song: Norwegian Wood

So far I like this one and Revolver the best.

A couple memorable songs but mostly forgettable

"He's a real nowhere man Sitting in his nowhere land Making all his nowhere plans for nobody" The rise to true pop greatness truly begins here.

Has a couple of great songs. I need to relisten to this.

This is honestly one of my favorite Beatles albums! Every song is a banger and for me this is a no skip album. I love how this album had more of a folk rock influence and you can hear the influence of Indian music on Norwegian Wood which is one of my favorite songs on this album. Overall, I always have a great time listening to this album and it is one of my favorite albums of all time!

A solid beatles experience with some rarely heard tunes

Not really a fan of the Beatles but this is still a classic. Michelle was my fav.

Listened: at home making tea

Heard it before. Wow, I forgot what a fantastic album it is. Might be one of my favourites from Beatles 5/5