Reviews (page 9 of 15)
Here we are again. Another Beatles album I know front to back, that I’ve heard a hundred times. Go back and look at my other Beatles review to see how I feel about them (top 5 favorite band; basic, I know). This was their first album of all original tracks and man does it shine. From kicking off hot with the title track, to bringing it down with tracks like “If I Fell” and “And I Love Her,” this album keeps the infectious energy of the Beatles while also showing a more mature, refined sound and attitude. They know what they’re doing, the recording quality is superb, and John and Paul are just absolutely kicking ass here. Yes, most of the songs are still about love in the most vague and naive way. But not all of them are. “And I Love Her” shows a more mature take on the subject, and “Things We Said Today” takes a darker, more negative look at it. Same with “You Can’t Do That.” Hence, the maturity I mentioned, as well as more complex songwriting and arrangements. There are lighter moments, too. The falsetto line in “Tell Me Why” sounds like something they had a ton of fun recording and comes out of left field. I always smile at that line. And “Can’t Buy Me Love” is just a fun, high energy romp. This isn’t the best Beatles album, but it’s definitely the best of the early period. It’s a trip to listen to through these albums in chronological order and see the evolution of them as songwriters and musicians in an insanely short period of time. I love this album. Five stars. Standout Tracks: A Hard Day’s Night, I Should Have Known Better, Tell Me Why, Can’t Buy Me Love, Things We Said, You Can’t Do That
This was the start of the transition from mop top to serious artist.
solid early beats 8/10
Pop Rock being very bubble gum-poppy. Good background music.
I only made it half in and it started to grate. Not saying it's bad, definitely a recognizable sound that has its style, but nothing I'd put on by choice.
Landfill Beatles
very wholesome. el boyband de mi abuela vibes
It’s the Beatles. Whatever.
Overall: 8/10 It took way too long to get to my first Beatles album. I don't care if it's cliché to say this but The Beatles are my favourite band of all time and this was their first really great album. It's not hard to imagine how they became the biggest band in history when listening to this, John and Paul are so charismatic and dominate (especially John). I'm probably gonna watch the movie tonight as well, I love the clean old man and the sad Ringo scenes so much. Fav Song: And I Love Her Least Fav Song: I'm Happy Just to Dance With You (Sorry, George)
One of the better Beatles albums this one, with the lads still in their moptop era. The title track makes for a cracking start, which then leads to a succession of balllads which are all highly listenable. Can't Buy Me Love gets back to the pop-rock side, before we get back to the ballads, Things We Said Today standing out there. Those loveable cheeky scallies are hitting their songwriting stride here and it can only presage good things... (massive foreshadowing; look to camera)
the og boy band "if i fell" would've got me in '64 even though it's low key male manipulator music
They really figured out who they were for this one. Perfectly perfect light pop. Maybe not one serious thought except how to make a seriously made showcase of what they could do. 5 because I'm hooked and know what's coming. I'll be back indeed.
Short, sweet, sappy and soppy! Now guess which one’s which.
Anything by the Beatles that I rate under a 5 is a case of their being graded on a curve. Even if you don't factor in the fact that they were working with 4-track recording capabilities for the majority of their records, the creativity these guys exhibited from a production/arrangement/recording angle is mind-boggling. Then there are the harmonies and chords. Everything they did was exceptional, and the more you dig the deeper the genius. BUT... it doesn't change the fact that these early songs just don't tickle my musical fancy the same way the latter half of their catalog does. As groundbreaking as this (and every) album is, they're singing about girls, and that's pretty much it. That's all fine for the times, I just want a little more grit.
I know this is often considered their first masterpiece, but it's my least favorite of their first four albums. There are certainly six or seven all-time classics on here. And man, the greats are ridiculously great: The chords on If I Fell; the three different bridges on You Can't Do That; the infectious joy of the title track; John rhythm guitar on I'm Happy Just to Dance with You; etc. etc. But side two has some filler. It feels weird giving any Beatles album less than a 5, but if I'm being honest with myself, I just don't love this one.
Frühlingsgefühlenachdemlangewinterzeit (literally--that feeling of spring after a long winter) I was trying to come up with a word for the coziness that this album brought to my life for 30 minutes. German is a beautiful language in that you can put words together so effortlessly to come up with something that smacks a feeling right in the face with precision. Those opening notes! Ahhh...I didn't realize how comforting and so familiar that opening chord is. Boom..I was taken right back to my pre-adolescent bedroom and my LP. Young girls didn't have Taylor Swift in the late 70s to put all those feelings to a beat...we had The Beatles. And a Hard Day's Night effortlessly captures yearning, love, youth in 30 tight minutes that stay with you a lifetime. And then they go and write another killer song that completely captures Frühlingsgefühlenachdemlangewinterzeit just 5 years after this! _________ I read something recently that if The Beatles coming to America in February 1964 were at the start of COVID, they would have released Abbey Road this year. That view of time and what The Beatles accomplished in their short time span just blows my mind.
Great album
overall pretty solid with some classics on there. I think some of the later albums are obviously way better.
Later Beatles better
Super pleasant. Honestly a little boring and sheltered compared to their later albums, but I think that makes me appreciate their later innovation that much more.
Great album.
This is a decent Beatles album
I believe it’s their first record …it’s pop 2 min songs never heard it straight thru
I mean it's early Beatles. Good pop with solid songwriting but nothing compared to what they would become in a few years. 7/10
Funny to think the Beatles essentially started as a boy band.
Great album, very fun
Lovely.
3.0 - Ok
This is my favourite early Beatles album (where Rubber Soul marks the beginning of their middle period.) So I think it's pretty good.
This is a good Beatles album
This is the first GREAT Beatles album in my opinion. Like the rest of the planet, I prefer the later Beatles albums more than the early albums but I still think there is a place for their more poppy music. Its more simple than the later stuff but I find it charming in a way similar to other music from the early 60s. This album is loaded with classic tunes and on top of that its nice and short. A real easy listen! Also the film that accompanies this album is really fun! Favorite track: And I Love Her
Compared to their later work, the songwriting here is quite basic, and unfortunately, there are no songs written by Harrison. However, the album features some memorable hits, including the title track and my personal favorite, Can’t Buy Me Love.
Never actually sat down and listened to this before. Started my Beatles journey from Rubber Soul onwards. Amazing of course. Straight pop songs to the head. Highlights include "A Hard Day's Night" "I Should Have Known Better" "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" "Tell Me Why" "Can't Buy Me Love" "Any Time At All"
Quaint, quirky, quick. Quintessential.
A great one
5 stars because it is the Beatles (one of the greatest bands ever)!!
This is a solid Beatles album that shaped the sound. Many bands followed their style. Which is fine. Knowing what the Fab Four did later and what those other bands offer, "A Hard Day's Night" is simply not as interesting as other albums.
Not a big fan of the Beatles but a good album nonetheless, 6/10.
So simple and romantic in a pretty irresistible way. If The Beatles have no fans then I am dead (hold on I’m just now hearing that they have a lot of fans….)
Pleasant enough
First off rip nick who died today :( i’ll miss him a lot. Second off the music is fast and fun and thats just a winning combo for me. Songs about love are so comforting! And all these tracks are about love!
The Beatles, arguably at the peak of their early stage. At the time, I'm sure they sounded very fresh. There's certainly some tight songs on here, and it's clear Lennon and McCartney already had a strong knack for songwriting. But, for me, it's still just very simple, very teenage pop, nothing more. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'll listen, I'll tap my foot, I'll move on. Though, I must say, the lyrics are rather grating. Fav tracks: A Hard Day's Night, Can't Buy Me Love, Things We Said Today
Nice, I'd already listened to it before. Really enjoyed some songs.
I was 2 when this was released and my parents played it none stop for many years… it’s like a comfort blanket. 13 tracks in 30 min, you can’t ‘beat’ it!!
Geluisterd in de trein terug naar Nederland. Echt een banger en 1 van de eerste platen van de beatles waar echt geëxperimenteerd wordt
BEAAAAAAAATLES BABYYYYYY!! Iconisch met een reden. Dit is het album waar hun pop-sound echt begon te rijpen, en tevens hun eerste album met alleen maar eigen materiaal. Kinda biased maar easy 5/5.
not bad, bit generic
All I can think of is the word "uplifting". Also, cowbells!
A lot of great songs
Nice
immer noch unglaublich gut
Super interesting to list to this after Abbey Road and see the growth that happened. Bunch of these songs slap tho.
Unbelievable song craft and just such tight songs. I don't know that I had ever heard I'll Be Back before, but that song is excellent.
3.5
3 stars. Fine.
I’m honestly sort of unfamiliar with the Beatles’ early albums, at least as an album experience. I’d consider myself a Beatles fan, though I was always moreso infatuated with the “latter era experimental studio Beatles” than I was “fun boy band at the top of the world Beatles”. That said, this one’s pretty good! It’s got a great selection of tracks, pretty much every one excellent and fun, and even if I haven’t heard them for years and certainly not as much as the others, you bet your ass I was singing along. At 34 minutes, it’s a breezy album and the songs never overstay their welcome. I give it a 4, it’s just a very good listen.
The crazy thing to remember about A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, both the album and film, is that it wasn't meant to be good — and certainly not some of the greatest work this band would do in either medium. 'Coz let's recognize, when United Artists got The Beatles under contract to do all this, all they were expecting was a quickie exploitation film; a cashgrab. At best, they probably figured, they'd get something like Elvis's movies: some cheap rush job with flimsy plot meant to do nothing more than to prop up the boys galavanting about and singing songs. They didn't care; the fans would come to see their boys on the big screen regardless of if it was good or not. Heck, they'd buy the **album** regardless it was good or not — which would promote the film, while the film promoted the album... It was a genius strategy. Or at least it was until the Colonel had it milked dry by the middle-end of the 60's. Seriously, you didn't wanna be Elvis in the middle-late 60's — but that's a story for another day... So imagine everyone's surprise, then, when The Beatles and director Richard Lester pulled up with a film that was actually really, **really** good. Instead of Elvis driving cars or doing the clam around Hawaii, they got a cinéma vértié-style look into 36 hours into the band's life at the time ("[A] train and a room, and a car and a room, and a room and a room"), which is kept from being depressing by the witty and clever dialogue dispensing Liverpudlian humor and some brilliant songs. Add in how charming The Beatles were on screen, plus some innovative camera work during the musical sequences, and you have a movie that'd wind up in the Criterion Collection for being a precursor to MTV and music videos. In short, besides YELLOW SUBMARINE (a personal favorite), it's the best film the band would ever be involved in. And about those songs (this **is** supposed to be an album review, after all)... Frankly, I consider this album a triumph; the peak and pinnacle of their first three albums — their "beat"/"boy band" phase, as I think of it. I mean, come on, it's the only album in their entire discography written solely by Lennon and McCartney: a whole 13 songs worth! Not even SGT. PEPPER'S can make that claim thanks to George's "Within You Without You" (which is a fantastic song, of course). And the fact that they all came out as strong as they did — goodness! The title track is among the best album openers this band has ever had. I mean, the iconic opening chord alone would be enough to cement that fact, but then you get into how frenetic the rest of the song is, from those bongos to the guitar/piano duet solo that had to be recorded at half speed for how fast it is. "I Should Have Known Better" is one of my favorite harmonica rollicks from the band, "If I Fell" and "And I Love Her" are both beautiful acoustic ballads... Goodness, that one high backing vocal on "Tell Me Why" ("If there's anything I can do-ooo-ooo") gets me every time, it's great. Honestly, among the first side, the weakest song here might be "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You", but I enjoy George enough as a singer that I can hardly mind it. Besides, when side A closes with another of the band's best-ever songs, "Can't Buy Me Love", I bet you're hardly thinking about the weak points. Which brings us to the second side of the record. In what was apparently tradition for British soundtracks at the time, it consists of a bunch of extra songs. Y'know, a just-under-equal smattering of bonus tunes to go along with the ones from the movie. And they're... I mean, I'm not gonna lie; they **are** a bit of a step down. In fact, if there's anywhere you might miss the covers the band included on their first two albums, it's here. But all the same, I think they're generally strong enough that my earlier remark about this being the pinnacle of their beat phase stands. I mean, heck, at one point "I'll Cry Instead" was considered good enough for the movie itself. It only didn't end up on side one because they figured "Can't Buy Me Love" was tonally a better fit for the scene it would've scored — and even then, it still wound up on the American version of the soundtrack, even if by accident. I do like "Any Time At All" as a side opener. Jus' the way it goes "THUMP!" and, well, we're off running. Plus, I've always had a soft spot for "You Can't Do That", in part because of its early inclusion on another American release, THE BEATLES' SECOND ALBUM. That's not on this list, unlike MEET THE BEATLES!, but I still wanna recommend it anyway for being a good encapsulation of the band's early rock n' roll songs. As for the other three, they're all pretty enjoyable. I like how "When I Get Home" walks, with its "WAOH-OH-IIIIII"s; "Things We Said Today" has a nice vocal from paul, and I enjoy that "hard strum" riff it has; and I think "I'll Be Back" plays as a nice album closer, what with the repeating riff it fades out on. Not to mention, as a meta-promise to the fans... Boy, would they ever be. At any rate, I kinda doubt anyone would find the songs on side B weak enough that they'd actively bring side A down. Side A is just such an incredible run of songs, making it easily the music from this phase I've returned to the most often. By itself it gives this whole album a 5. Like, sure, PLEASE PLEASE ME has originals like its title track, and WITH THE BEATLES has covers like "You've Really Got A Hold On Me", but put them in context of their entire record side and they can't quite compare. And for real, if you haven't seen the movie yet, what're you even waiting for? Go do yourself a favor and watch it. I know I'll be watching it, and singing along as loudly as I can. Goodness.
What is there to say that hasn't been said already, both in the terms of artist and album? Of course, with the Fab Four being early in their careers, it doesn't really have as much influence as Sgt. Pepper's and beyond in their catalogue, but it's still a hell of a track list, nonetheless. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at a 5. The first time I ever heard the Beatles as a kid was from a little jukebox toy – you can look this up, just Google “Golden Oldies Jukebox Coin Bank” or something like that, it’ll pop up. One of the songs there was Can’t Buy Me Love – it only played the chorus, out of a really crappy speaker, and yet it was the song I always gravitated to. When it wasn’t that song, I’d just keep pushing the button until I heard Can’t Buy Me Love again. I suppose it’s only right that the song is on this album, then. I already had it in my big playlist, but I just wanted to tell that story. How about the rest of it then? Obviously, “A Hard Day’s Night” might start with the single most memorable guitar hit ever, but the rest of the tracks here are… pretty good, for the most part. This is obviously not the Beatles at their peak; this feels more like say, some of the solo albums Michael Jackson released before Off the Wall sent him into the stratosphere & Thriller sent him into another plane of existence. It’s a little more raw, a little less defined, and still within the growing pains of it all, throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks and what doesn’t. I do think the DNA of a lot of their future monstrous success is on this album, though, and it certainly helps that this was a gigantic hit in its own right. You don’t get the rest of Beatlemania without starting here, and you certainly don’t get it without the rest of the tracks living up to the weight of the two biggest ones on this album, and I really think they did, even if they’re not quite as good. “I Should Have Known Better” has some solid harmonization & lyrics, and the harmonica feels super rare for a Beatles track. “If I Fell” has a really cool Bossa Nova vibe, even if the vocals do drown it out just a bit. “I’m Happy Just To Dance With You” has a really nice percussive pattern that evokes The Beach Boys. “And I Love Her” is an absolute standout – the Spanish guitar adds so much. “Tell Me Why” is the most 50s sounding track on the album, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing; I really liked the big band / nightclub feel of it all. “Any Time At All” has a really nice grit to John’s voice that makes it stand out, even though it feels pretty instrumentally close to say, The Byrds or other contemporaries. “I’ll Cry Instead” has a lot of obvious influence from Bob Dylan, but it’s got a really nice melody and a good tone in the vocals. “Things We Said Today” has great lyricism, even if it’s slightly repetitive, and it’s just a super catchy track. “When I Get Home” has a lot of the DNA that would later be present on Paul’s solo stuff with Wings, even though John’s got lead vocals on it. “You Can’t Do That” is a really bouncy track with some great harmonization & backing vocals. “I’ll Be Back”’s acoustically driven soundscape, as well as their harmonizing vocals blend really, really well, and I think it’s a really nice closer. I’m not at a 10 like I was with Abbey Road & The White Album – it’s not as good as those albums, and I’m sure most people would agree with that. However, what’s here is still fun, and I can totally understand why The Beatles blew up before & especially so after this. It’s pretty damn good rock & roll, and it shifted the blueprint for everybody for the rest of the 60s. They became the bar for success, and they set the tone for what to strive for musically. I’m not saying everyone tried to be the Beatles, but everyone had to be a little more Beatle-y, across all genres. I’m just glad it’s a short one – I don’t know that I could handle another 90 minute masterclass from these guys, so I’ll take 30 minutes of “pretty damn good” as the alternative. It’s an easy 5 for me. Still several more to go from these guys.
Love it.
für mich sonen classic dass gwüssi lieder gfühlt mini erste erinnerige a musig sind :o cha mi teils ned ane ziit erinnere, woni 'hard days night' noni kennt ha. bi einige vo dene lieder hani au lustigi erinnerige, woni englisch glernt ha und checkt ha, wasi für strubi helvetisme zumene englische klangbild am zemegschustere gsi bi. und denn überraschts natürli au wie zb bi anytime at all im B-teil wos plötzli dissonant abegaht. ah und em paul mccartney sini stimm isch super ☝️🙂↕️
A slightly unremarkable Beatles album for me.
Surprised myself with just how much I liked this album. I'm no avid fan of the Beatles, but by giving their albums a fresh and attentive listen, I might just begin to like them. Short-sweet-catchy and wraps up in 30 minutes. What's not to like?
Booooring, listened to three songs and put on "Bottomless pit" by death grips, a much better album
I prefer the later stuff.
Possibly the best of the Beatles’ early work. Features all time great tracks like ‘Hard Days Night’ & ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ as well as some lesser known greats like ‘I Should Have Known Better’. 4.5⭐️ (because their later work is even better)
It's okay, but I think Beatles is just not my cup of tea.
Not the best beatle album but certainly a banger one
It's the beatles
En bättre Beatles-skiva ärnade två senaste. "Vanliga" låtar som är trallvänliga och intressanta. Det är nog inget jag kommer lyssna på igen, men tycker nog hantverket och musiken är på en hög nivå.
Varken hört eller ens hört talas om denna tidigare, vilket i och för sig kanske inte säger så mycket. Tycker att den var överraskande bra. Inte lika bra som Abbey Road, men jämnbra över hela linjen och utan tramslåtar. Svag fyra (efter endast en genomlyssning).
Ok, basic Beatles album
Guess that's one of the iconic Beatles albums. It's an easy listen, perfectly fine for a commute, road trip or dinner. Probably won't listen to it again on other occasions.
Not a fan of the production so far. Voice is super high in the right channel with drums bass and guitar in left very low in the mix. Some really great songs though on this album mixed in with some relatively forgettable songs.
Fuck, this was dull.
Here comes their songwriting. Most songs are great and well recorded. All songs are corny 4.3
100% agree with Sean and Bryan. Rather listen to a later album like Abbey Road but still some absolute classics.
3.5, rounding up because it’s The Beatles.
I agree with Bryan, the hits are fun but every song I don’t recognize doesn’t get me going. Take, for instance, “I’ll be back,” it has some sweetness to it, but it’s pretty boring. Way more cowbell than I remembered
The early Beatles stuff just doesn’t really do it for me. Definitely some classics on here tho
A classic, but just not my style.
Few good hits, overall nothing special
The very first album to contain solely Lennon-McCartney compositions still rips as hard as the day it was released. (And the movie it’s attached to is worth a watch!)
Some good classics, ain’t my favorite.
Staple
The Beatles suck.
I mean, its great. Classic and easy to listen to, it really holds up. It is kind of wild that this was considered edgy rock-and-roll back in the day!
Sinds ik een tijdje terug het album Bram Peper's Eenzame Hartjes Vereniging Orkest heb moeten luisteren heb ik nog regelmatig voor de hobby het blauwe verzamelalbum (1967 - 1970) van The Beatles aangezet. Daarnaast ook één keer de rode (1962 - 1966) waar 3 tracks van dit album op staan. Ik zit dus momenteel wel in een kleine Beatles periode. Dit album is meer vroege Beatles en de vroege Beatles klinken wel een stuk simpeler. Dit album van een half uur is helemaal prima hoor, maar het zijn wat mij betreft niet de meest legendarische nummers die hier op staan. Bij dit album ga je het slotakkoord niet drie keer opnieuw luisteren terwijl je de speakers steeds harder zet, omdat je hebt gelezen dat je dan een stoel kunt horen piepen en een kopje kunt horen rinkelen. Op dit album leefde de originele Paul McCartney nog. Dit zijn de vroege pop-Beatles. Een half uurtje gezapige flierefluiter rock 'n roll uit de oude doos. Nog net geen ge-doowop en ge-shoowop op de achtergrond. En dat krijgt een keurige 3,7 uit 5.
The peak of Beatlemania. Bright, fresh, happy, energetic. Fills me with good feelings. Best song: If I Fell
Every song is about being in love with a young girl. Kinda boring (and weird). Early Beatles is bland.
Oh I’ve been waiting for this one. This album proves to me why the Beatles are such an influence. Classic after classic, hits front to back. Flawless, truly.
A Hard Day’s Night feels like the first proper Beatles album right from that first crazy chord. This album is almost non-stop hits (could probably say that about most Beatles albums but maybe it hits especially hard after the first 2 albums) and is probably the first of their early ones I’d reach for. I’m remembering how often I played this record as a little kid. Getting rid of the cover tunes and moving quickly towards a pop-rock style was massive. I'll still vastly prefer their soon-to-arrive experimental weird-shit era which changed everything, but this was a big step forward and judging strictly in the time-frame/era there was of course nothing like it and them. 8/10 4 stars.
First time that I seriously listen to The Beatles, and I was absolutely not let down. It's actually crazy how good this album sounds even today, considering that it's 60 years old. And to think that this is apparently not even one of their best albums... mental!
Meh idk i liked it but tbh the beatles kind of always sound the same but I do respect it. Ive been more impressed by the Beatles in their other works as this one is completely stripped of any deep cuts or deep lyricism which is 100% okay I just prefer a little bit more depth in what I choose to listen to.
Good
Meh
Not all Beatles albums are created equal, some are quite forgettable.
Another Beatles album, huh? Same as the last time, I do appreciate their sound and what they've done for music, but they're just not something I really enjoy listening to. At least their albums are short. Get in, drop a few tracks with their iconic sound, get out. Solid. Best song: Can't Buy Me Love
Didn't care for it nearly as much as I expected to. The singles were great, though maybe just because I've heard them a billion times each. I think this album is more about potential than achievement. I liked the harmonies but it mostly sounded like any other early 60s album to be.
My parents own this record, so I’m fairly familiar with it. That said it’s not my favorite. I skipped around a bit, but nothing stood out or caught my attention. Regarding our last album: I must have left the room when Gang Bang came on… WTF? that song made me uncomfortable.
Solid early Beatles, definitely my favorite album from this era.
Ok fine, I will listen to yet another Beatles album, but I don't have to like it. Yeah, I listened to it. It was OK. I will never in my life make a deliberate choice to listen to a Beatles album on my own -- none of them excite me in any way.
This album is fantastic and show that there isn’t really much evolution between this and the White Album.
Never been into this one as much as I felt like I should be, one of my least favorites of theirs. Though that means it doesn’t feel quite as overplayed as the other Beatles albums do to me, which is a plus. I’m more into the harder rocking stuff on some of the other early albums, (e.g. Twist & Shout, I Saw Her Standing There, It won’t Be Long) and less of a fan of the pure bubblegum songwriting on display here. OTOH I can’t deny that it’s totally excellent bubblegum
best early beatles album (pre-rubber soul) just good all the way through. grown up yet poppy enough to be loved by all ages. some production techniques like the cowbell in you cant do that, or the weird tom rolls (in tell me why?) hint at the band they would become the next year
First time ever listening to the Beatles. I thought it was fun, I can see how it was revolutionary in its time. But growing up where this is more of the baseline, I thought it was a fun album but nothing special.
Later Beatles >>>> Early Beatles I'm sure this got people going back in the day, but it doesn't do much for me today.
Hard days night 8/10 I should have known better 7/10 If I fell 10/10 I'm happy just to dance with you 8/10 And I love her 10/10 Tell me why 10/10 Can't buy me love 9/10 Anytime at all 7/10 Things we said today 5/10 When I get home 8/10 You can't do that 10/10 I'll be back 9/10 Overall 9/10
It's the Beatles. Enough said.
Pop, pop, pop, so very pop, and fun, bouncy pablum with a lot of variety in sound and tone. 13 songs in 30 minutes - so very commercialy prepared - the Beatles before the Stones showed them the way forward.
Already one of my favourite early Beatles albums. Great album, great film It's the Beatles
In the pecking order of Beatles albums it’s probably in the bottom third but it’s still a Beatles album and therefore amazing. A bit Lennon heavy for my liking, Harrison has one song he didn’t even write, but no covers on here. Hard Days Night and Can’t Buy Me Love are top tier Beatles, special mention to If I Fell and And I Love Her. Not quite 5 stars but it’s a high 4. The film is a good way to listen to these songs, a lot of silliness 4.5/5
I always struggle rating early Beatles. It’s hard not to think it’s derivative until you realise it’s everything else that’s influence by it. Either way great album with some standouts
This a charming record with a lot of fun songs. Not as ambitious as their later albums.
I’ve listened to this album many times
I KNOW THIS LOVE OF MINE WILL NEVER DIE
Early Beatles are enjoyable, well done songs with just vocals and four instruments, and this is an album of fundamentally good songs. It works.
Its hard to give a Beatles album anything less than a 5. So many hits and my wifes wedding dance with her father song.
Pure pop, bright and sparkling and hopeful, retaining just a touch of grit and offerings tantalizing suggestions (e.g., "Things We Said Today") of the expansive brilliance just around the corner. Plus, an absolute all-time album opening – George's note is a chime, an auditory milestone, signals of freshness, new eras, etc. (Bookended perhaps by the coda closing of "Layla"). The movie is a pleasure, too, and not even really a guilty one.
Pretty mellow album really. Still good but just not what I want from Beatles.
Not my favorite kind of Beatles. Good singles but rest is meh
I had forgotten all the songs I love on this album Beautiful from start to finish
It's the beatles what am I supposed to say, it's good for 1964...
Its good like a high 4 but I think it suffers a little from all the songs being roughly the same topic. This is the album that you'd play when people have already listened to the more popular beatles albums as like the final masterpiece to the 'early' Beatles
It’s the Beatles
Prefer their later stuff but And I Love Her is great
Early album. Solid, but nothing special nowadays
Burned into memory by parents, radio stations, road trips, and more.
It's more like a 4.5 with And I Love Her & I'll Be Back. The rest of the album is solid but not spectacular.
Just not for me, but I get how others would love it.
5 stars! A rare occasion that every single song is a bonafide hit.
My mom just passed away. She loved The Beatles. I miss you mom. So very much. I hope I made you proud.
1.77
An early Beatles album…that’s all I have to say. 3 stars
The first, proper, all-Beatles Beatles album. Absolutely churning them out - the third album in the less than a year? Something lke that. It's not their best, but still manages to have 2 or 3 absolute monster hits. It still boggle my mind how they managed to do all of this and tour almost non-stop. The best to ever do it.
I listened to this on an eerily warm day in December. The day before the last day of the year. I felt like I was already in a liminal space, and this album was like an optimistic radio broadcast cutting through the last 40 miles of a long road trip. Bright, sad, handmade, a simpler era. I’ll have to listen again to really absorb the music - because it’s so engrained as The Beatles, icons, I take it for granted.
No será lo mejor de los Beatles, pero es lo mejor mejorsito pre Rubber Soul, muy divertido
Bunch of Beatles classics, but not as fluid of their other albums.
Jack says this is no one’s fave BUT My main take is that why are men like Taylor Swift albums all sound the same and this is their fave Also quite whiny It’s 30 minutes but I can barely get to the end I liked some of them that were more country bops - Any Time At All
I love the opening title track (I knew it before). The rest I didn’t vibe with as much as I thought. It probably needs more listens I feel.
I liked it.
A bunch of Beatles songs that were new to me, I enjoyed this a bunch. I had a Byrds album yesterday, and the energy and quality of the Beatles really puts most of their contemporaries to shame. Far from their best, there are still some standouts. Namely, And I Love Her is incredible. It's easy to take pop for granted, but the deeper in this list I get, the more I appreciate some of the juggernauts.
Sigue siendo beatles album pero hay mejores
Plus habitué aux mélodies indie rock des années 90, notamment la vague britpop et post-britpop, j'ai une grande estime pour les beatles, qui sont de purs génies créatifs. L'album commence bien et on sent tout de suite un esprit positif et coloré, porté notamment par la voix de John Lennon (I should have known better, If I fell). On voit bien que Liam Gallagher s'est inspiré de sa façon particulière de chanter :) les chansons sont courtes, mais mélodieuses, souvent festives (tell me why), mais aussi plus romantiques (And I love her, I'll be back). Très rock n roll, can't buy me love chantée par Macca est une des meilleures chansons de l'album. Pour un album de 1964, il n'a rien de suranné et reste très plaisant et accessible. le style est cohérent et plutôt "attendu", mais la mission est remplie pour les fab four; du rythme, de la créativité et pas mal d'audace.
Lot of fun, pretty much what I expected but overall more consistently good than I thought it'd be
Love this album and love The Beatles but I gave The White Album 5 and while good this isn’t on that level so it’s a 4 but a high 4.
Comment je pourrais ne pas mettre 5 à cet album ainsi qu'à toute la discographie des Beatles ? J'ai littéralement été éduqué avec, donc niveau attachement émotionnel c'est dûr de faire mieux. Même si je dois reconnaître que certaines chansons ici ne sont pas les plus mémorables, je ne peux vraiment pas mettre une autre note
Qu'est ce que je peux dire sérieusement ?
pas mon album préféré des Beatles même s'il comporte quelques titres superbes. Coups de cœur : - And I Love Her - Tell Mẹ Why - I'll Be Back
Amazing. This still sounds so good. A funny coincidence this album came up after a Rolling Stones album. For the age old question of “Beatles or Rolling Stones?”, I am firmly in team Beatles.
I used to say I had 3 favorite Beatles albums all tied for first and A Hard Day’s Night was one of them. These songs may not be as complex as the ones they’d make in 2-3 years but they are all pretty much perfect pop gems.
If this came out of the blue from a different band I had never heard of, it’s hard to tell what I’d give it. It’s really good. Would it be 5 stars in that context? It’s hard to be objective. But, this suffers from the impossible task of being compared to The Beatles’ later work, which blows this album away. So, this is a 4 because it’s not as good as Abbey Road. Even though it might be as good or better than some albums I’ve already given 5 stars to.
Earlier Beatles never did it for me, although their cultural importance is undeniable.Whether A Hard Day's Night should be on the list, is questionable though.
Pre-Rubber Soul Beatles records are pretty meh to me
solid Beatles album
A short one, but pretty good. Catchy. Poppy. A pretty distinctive sound for the album. 3.5
"We piss all over the Beatles"-- Liam Gallagher, 2024 so after liverpool beat man city at the beginning of december, i began erasing the evidence of me being a beatles fan that i was in middle school and tried to focus on good old big O. but, i had to admit that any beatles album just brings me loads of good memories of me in that period of life. there's a snapshot of me when i decided to talk about them in the chinese class's pre-class sharing, and the teacher made all my classmates share a topic that we are interested in turn. (well, about the chinese class... i think that i should mention that i am east asian. I mentioned that in an earlier review, but now it's edited out.) i end up with a serious overtime, stretching the 5 minute sharing limit to a 8 minute piece about their whole history, from john and paul's meeting to the death of George. also, "Now and Then"wasn't released back then. and there i was, listening to "and i love her", sitting outside a shopping centre at 8 in the morning in England, summer 2023. another one is me watching many video of Paul's live concerts on the way to liverpool, all from the recent times, starting with either "can't buy me love" or that hell of a chord in "a hard day's night". those silly love songs are not the beatles' most musically complete works, but they're good soundtracks for a teen going through the ups and downs in her life. only half a year has passed since i finished middle school, and i miss those days. 3/5 for the music itself, but 4/5 for the memories it bring.
not my fav beatles album but pretty high up there
Do we really need the entire Beatles discography in this list? I get having 2-3 because it's the Beatles and whatever, but surely the point of this list would be to showcase different albums from different bands in the more obscure genres, I think those are the albums you should listen to before you die. The album albeit wasn't terrible I think it's one of their better ones, but their still one of the most overrated bands in history.
This was as far as the Beatles could go with their original vibe and sound. Beatlemania firing on all cylinders, Lennon and McCartney seemingly unable to put a foot wrong at this point in their songwriting, with Harrison and Starr bringing their A game too. You forget how many great songs the Beatles did until you listen to an album and remember all the ones that don't get played on the radio or spotify mixes. They could honestly write hooks and melodies in their sleep, and George's 12 string riffs inspired so many other bands, it's ridiculous. Ultimately I can't personally give it a 5 because it doesn't have a George Harrison song. That probably sounds weird, but it's a band of 4 people, not a band of 2 and 2. Also, it gets a bit samey in mood. But still, treat the rating like an honorary 5. I'm just being arbitrary (and just happy to dance with you). Tangent: The film's pretty great too, with the guy who played Albert Steptoe stealing the show as Paul's grandfather. Favourite Song: If I fell Least Favourite: I'll Cry Instead
Peak Beatlemania in sound, image, and ubiquity.
3 - Dunno this just felt a bit generic and nothing really stood out much
Really really really meh if you ask me. The early Beatlemania era music is so bland, maybe thanks in part to them evolving creatively over the years as a comparison. You can basically just take the choruses from the two big singles here and leave everything else. 2.9/5
Meh, boring Beatles. Sorry.
I mean, does it get better than this? This is like a turning point of music and possibly even society. This is the beginning of their albums not really having any duds or forgettable takes. And the movie is great.
Hard to complain about this one. Tons of excellent singles, and a few really great deep cuts. The movie is also pretty fantastic. “Can’t Buy Me Love” is one of my favourite Beatles tunes, the wistful chorus melody is one of the best things to come from the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership. I think the only complaint I can come up with is that this album isn’t Rubber Soul. There’s a good reason that the Beatles were far and away the most popular band in the world for a very long time. There’s really not much more to say about this record, it’s just super enjoyable to listen to. 4.5*
I tried really hard to appreciate the album through the lens of 1964. Sure, 60 years later all the songs sound trite and insubstantial but is that just because their influence is so fundamental to modern popular music? The answer I have arrived at, for myself anyway, is 1) no and 2) even if that’s the case, the songs really do sound trite and insubstantial. This was apparently the first Beatles album in which the songs were entirely written by members of the group and was a very rare thing at the time. I appreciate that. But the lyrics especially are just so elementary and boring, and the instrumentals aren’t much better. The standout is “And I Love Her”, which has always been one of my favorite Beatles songs. It’s beautiful and sounds like it doesn’t belong on this album at all. In fact, the context of this album made me like it slightly less. But it’s still a great song. One star ⭐️ for writing their own songs, even if they all kinda suck, and one star ⭐️ for the single song that doesn’t suck.
Very poppy and outside of the well known tracks pretty forgetful
I don't really care for this
Always great
I enjoyed the Album, and I plan to re-listen to it. My favorite songs were I Should Have Known Better, I'm Happy Just To Dance With You, and Can't Buy Me Love. It all just felt romantic.
I love this album and I love this movie. I know a lot of pop stars have stints as film actors, but I don’t think anyone can do it with the same style as the Beatles. Extra fun with my 10-year old singing along in the backseat.
Nice record! Songs are a bit samey but there's still a couple of great hits in this. 3.5/4
Classic Beatles
early poppy Beatles sure is fun, not much of the more introspective from later in their careers, but damn if I didnt enjoy the heck out of this album.
Not their best but still very enjoyable pop music
I love every Beatles album forever and ever.
Clásico instantáneo, que te golpea desde la primera canción con un explosivo acorde. De mis preferidos de la época prepsicodélicos del grupo, con algunas falencias aquí y allá, pero sigue siendo el álbum que es. Canciones a destacar: And I Love Her A Hard Day's Night Can't Buy Me Love If I Fell Any Time at All I Should Have Known Better Tell Me Why
Typischer Beatles-Sound. Ein paar bekannte Songs, der Rest gut hörbar. 4/5
Definitely sick of the singles but a lot of other good tracks I wasn't familiar with since I only listen to the records when they're on a shitload of drugs.
Forgot how much I liked this album
Very well-performed, with a few flashes of genius songwriting, but also a lot of mindless poppy boy-band lyrics with simple arrangements.
I'm at home listening and Everything seems to be right.
Earlier Beatles is obviously a different proposition than the later records, but this is still an album full of lovely melodies and harmonies. We're starting to see more intricate or offbeat compositions with some darker tones. A Hard Day's Night is a strong start and the next few album cuts are all good to excellent. And I Love Her is one of the great early Beatles ballads. Can't Buy Me Love closes out of the first half. Onto side two, and Any Time At All is a great lesser known song with a strong chorus. Things We Said Today is another very good one with a darker feel to it, mostly in a minor key. We close with I'll Be Back and it might be my favorite song here. Haunting and beautiful. They always manage to start and finish both sides of a record with really strong pieces and this pulls everything together. Not my favorite from them, but still gets top marks.
Two pretty big Beatles songs and a bunch of others I have never heard that all talk about love. Even the songs that are not hits are clean and show how talented they were as a group. Not my favorite Beatles album and probably not the most renowned one either but still a good listen. 6/10
These guys eh
my favourite beatles record. the red canadian version was one of my first lps. this version has more songs, unfortunately including "you can't do that," one of john's spousal abuse anthems.
Have always liked this album. Not one of their best and was made for their film so I don't think people really rate it. I'm happy just to dance with you is one of my favourite songs.
This is a protest 2 star. We don’t need this many rock albums from the 60’s! This is simply insane! I don’t care if it’s the Beatles or a one-hit-wonder! It must be stopped, even this record is not that essential!
# Playlist track - Can't Buy Me Love # Notes - It's cool that they've crammed 13 tracks in 30 minutes. No beating around the bush here. - Listening to something like this in the 2020s it's hard to imagine how different that sounded way back then. It has been so impactful that we're all kind of used to the sound, anyway. - Early Beatles were FUN. That's what this album is. - Definitely recommend!
I like later Beatles albums a lot but this has a lot of twee shite on it. Hard Days Night, Any Time At All and And I Love Her keep this from being a two.
A handful of truly lovely songs and great harmonies across the board; otherwise it's just another early Beatles album in my opinion. Highlights: A Hard Day's Night, If I Fell, And I Love Her
never been the biggest fan of early beatles albums. it’s solid, but far from their best
Wider schön gsi es Beatles Album vo vorne bis hinde müsse durelose. Doch leider hets mi dasmal biz weniger catched wie s wiise Album. Paar netti tracks woni au gern hereglost han, aber han für mich jetzt keis neus Juwel vomene Beatles-Song entdeckt. heisst nach minere Sterne-Statistik gits 3 vo 5 Ringo Stars
D käferlis zum zweiten. Letsmal heds bi mir e stark ufgrundete 5er geh. Aso qualität isch au nöf ganz verglichbar vu dene zwei albene. White album richtig vill (30) tracks, mind. 5 banger songs und das isch es normals 12er album mit zerrrro bangers. Jänu, glich gmütlich gsi zum lose aber meh als Drüü hippiegspängstli Chani nöd gehä
probier ezt mal was neus schribes review WÄHREND EM LOSE HEY!! halted eu fest start - tell me why was isch los bi de simp-vanilla-ass beatles? sind die frisch verliebt und träumed vom händli hebe? also lüt wo beatles peak findet chönd sich das mal gönne und sich frage wo sie den uf de chopf gheit sind - any time at all okay das isch doch schomal besser wenigstens muesi mich ezt nüm innere teenie romanze vorstelle au chli spannender musikalisch würdi sege als de stuff vo vorher - end ja gmischte bag, mostly simpish widermal aber ezt nöd unushaltbar han vorher au grad nos chirping cricket album gloset und irgendwie fühlts sich wider glich ah aber natürlich nöd scho es stück besser als die andere bres drum chani wohl, au wennis gern würd eifach for the lore, dene cma's kei 2 sterne inechlöpfe 3 beatles hetted au glanget fürd band hani mal ghört, de ringo isch ja nödmal de besti schlagzüger ih de band selber chlini quizfrag - isch ufem cover nume eine vo dene bres druf oder chani die eifach nöd usenandhalte?
obacht burschte es isch wieder pilzchopf-saison scho lustig, dass mer es album vo de bekannteschte band cha öffne und bim songnäme durstöbere s‘gfühl hed mer kännt keis einzigs lied aber bim lose denn glich de ihdruck hed dass mer jedes lied kännt sicher kein schlechti wahl zum sich mit em muskelkater des jahrhunderts dur de mäntig durezmogle, im verglich zum white album aber weniger min gusto darum pack ich s‘schliifpapier us und runde die ecke uf es 3 ab
One of the better early Beatles albums I've heard, though still a far cry from the later stuff.
Finally my first Beatles album. I've never listened to one in full before, I've only ever listened to their biggest hits, so I have nothing really to compare it to. I know that they were more experimental and certainly less pop oriented as they went on. This is good though. It's all just fun, jangly, bubblegum pop, but the absolute best of the genre. Lennon and McCartney are just the best aren't they? Great at writing songs, great vocalists, the harmonies are really good. I know the title track, 'Can't Buy Me Love' and 'Any Time At All' but there are some hidden gems on here too. 'And I Love Her', 'Tell Me Why' are both really good, but my favourite song on the album goes to 'If I Fell'. As I said before the harmonies are great, it's a catchy song. I think any of those three could have been released as a single back in the day and would be just as famous as any other Beatles single and would be on greatest hits albums. It's not quite perfect, or anything massively groundbreaking but it's very good.
Superb, a real band
30 minutes of utter perfection. There isn't a duff track here. They're all so well-written and precisely tooled.
„A Hard Days Night“ & „Can‘t Buy Me Love“ sind tolle Songs. Der hidden Star „Things We Said Tonight“ ist toll gelungen und das Album lädt zum Wiederhören ein. Leider ist der Rest der Songs eher Füllwerk ohne außergewöhnliche Elemente. Nach 339 Alben mein erster Beatles Tag. Es gibt noch Luft nach oben.
Its the beatles innit. All of it is gold. Do you compare this to their later work and mark it below, or compare it to the rest of recorded music in which case its top tier?
Middling Beatles record. The title track and Can’t Buy Me Love are the stand outs to me.
The Beatles! Need I say more? Not my personal favourite album but still some great tracks!
a couple good songs, not their best album
Première face (utilisée pour le film) très efficace, les excellents titres s'enchaînent (“Hard Day’s Night”, “Tell me why”, “Can’t buy me love”), certains moins connus (“I should have known better”, “If I fell”, “I’m happy just to dance with you”) mais qui sonnent immédiatement comme des classiques. La deuxième moitié est un peu en dessous mais ça reste mieux que la majorité de tout ce qui a pu être ou est encore écrit comme mélodie. Au final un très bon Beatles des débuts, qui ramène dans l’Angleterre des sixties. C’est plein d’énergie, quelque chose se passe avec la jeunesse d’Angleterre et cette musique en fait partie.
Not the best Beatles' album but I can't vote anything but five stars when it comes to them.
Commodified love songs, all under 3 minutes, and made to order for mass consumption by hysterical Beatlemaniacs. These guys created the formula for modern pop music.
It's A Hard Day's Night.
It's the fab 4 need I say anymore!!
My least favorite Beatles album so far. Still fantastic
it's impossible to even offer up an opinion that isn't just "oh neat" to any Beatles album before Rubber Soul (or Help!, to be nice). like, i obviously can't/don't hate it, but i really couldn't imagine it as anything but a "oh boy the Beatles!" delivery system. it delivers the Beatles circa 1964. i like it. it's fine.
"(Paul and I) were just writing songs à la Everly Brothers, à la Buddy Holly, pop songs with no more thought of them than that – to create a sound. And the words were almost irrelevant." John Lennon, interviewed by David Sheff (1981). Highlights: A Hard Day's Night, And I Love Her, Can't Buy Me Love In a nutshell: “it’s only the beginning…” A Hard Day's Night is an example of how popular music and contemporary music came to be. You just cherry pick what you like and tweak it from there. It's fine. Great singles, mediocre filler. I prefer Help! and their later albums. That where The Beatles were at their best. Overall: 5/10
A jolly listen all throughout, but I feel it started a bit too strong
Middle-range Beatles album
This is the sugary Beatles. Yes, even what they did in their early days became very significant very quickly (coming from playing rock 'n' roll covers), but for me, the Beatles started to become interesting around the time of Rubber Soul/Revolver.
Maybe the best of the early Beatles albums. Certainly notable for being the first with all originals. Sounds somewhat rudimentary now, even a little cutesy at times, but still loveable.
"A Hard Day's Night" dos Beatles é um álbum que convida à introspecção. Suas melodias suaves e a energia contagiante da banda criam uma atmosfera ideal para momentos de relaxamento, como uma viagem de carro ou um dia chuvoso. Apesar de não ter aqueles hits que grudam na cabeça, o álbum oferece uma companhia agradável, ideal para momentos de tranquilidade. No entanto, para mim, faltou aquele algo a mais que me fizesse conectar profundamente com as músicas, fazendo com que eu voltasse a ouvi-las repetidamente.
Day 67 - Nov 18th, 2024 Boring. 3/5
Anothe Beatles album....
The impact these Beatles albums have had on the music I've listened to in my life is immeasurable. Jerry Garcia saw A Hard Day's Night in the theater and decided he wanted to be a musician. No Jerry, no Grateful Dead. Immeasurable.
This was fine. I never really got the hype with the group but listenable.
For someone who's not the biggest Beatles enjoyer, still very solid 3.5?
I like cheesy Beatles songs so it’s an easy 4
Easy to enjoy and listen to. Very pleasant.
I've always enjoyed A Hard Days Night, its properly my 3rd favorite Beatles album. It's just good toe tapper to listen to for half an hour.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! RINGO HAS A SEXY NOSE!!! RINGO HAS A SEXY NOSE!!! AND PAUL MCCARTNEY, IF YOU'RE LISTENING. ADRIENNE FROM BROOKLYN LOVES YOU WITH ALL HER HEART!!! This is peak beatlemania, early Beatles at their best. Perfect harmonies and great melodies. Their first album full of original material too
The best early Beatles album by far, listening to this walking the cold streets of Xi An was a heart warming experience. They may all be soapy love songs but the fab 4 really know how to pull on the heart strings. And I love her top 5 Beatles song no competition.
My least favorite Beatles album so far. Still fantastic
Another pretty strong Beatles album. Maybe their closest to five stars until now! "A Hard Day's Night", "I Should Have Known Better", "Can't Buy Me Love", "Things We Said Today" plus some filler. 4,5
Am I being nostalgic? Perhaps.
Boring - before they got good
i'm not even grading this one on a beatles-shaped curve it's just alright
Some Beatles classics and good fillers
Meh. 2/5
🫶
3 of their more famous songs on here, the rest is typical Beatles B-list stuff. 13 songs in 30 minutes, highly repetitive
I was fully expecting to pan this as I have never seen the appeal of the Beatles. That said, I was pleasantly surprised. I was instantly transported to the 60s despite not having lived then.
This is fine. I genuinely like the Monkees better.
I gotta admit I haven't heard of this Beatles record before which is surprising considering how much fun I had with it. Some of those songs are definitely gonna stay in my rotation for a while.
Enjoyed the album overall. I don't think it was their best work though. But good overall. 4.3/5
I feel like I have heard this album before even though I don't know if I ever listened to it in it's entirety. I really enjoyed all the songs. I wouldn't change a thing. Go Beatles. These guys are pretty good.
Definitely one of the better Beatles' albums. No weird experimenting. Solid songs.
Ok I know im not the biggest Beatles fan, but I know their renown is well deserved, but I'll freely admit, I have never heard of this Beatles album or a single song on this album before. Some how this album was just completely off my Beatles radar, so that makes me question, is this album just mid? We'll find out I guess Yea no I was right this was mid sry Beatles, It wasn't bad by any means but its the fuckin Beatles, they are legends The most solid and probably definitive 3 I've ever put It wasn't bad, its wasn't fantastic, just right down the middle of enjoyment
It's not my type of music, so i dont like it
Title track is instant nostalgia to being 20 and working 3rd shift.
Bangers all. Track after track. Sure, some of their later material is more inventive and creative and cool. However, it couldn’t have happened without this material coming first, and, in certain moods, this is the highest art of the form, ever.
## In-Depth Review of *A Hard Day's Night* by The Beatles The Beatles' album *A Hard Day's Night*, released on July 10, 1964, is a landmark in the history of popular music. It marks a significant evolution in the band's sound and songwriting, showcasing their ability to craft memorable melodies and relatable lyrics. This review delves into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also outlining its pros and cons. ****Lyrics and Themes The lyrics of *A Hard Day's Night* reflect the everyday experiences of love, work, and the emotional highs and lows that accompany them. The title track opens with the iconic line, "It's been a hard day's night," immediately setting the tone for a narrative about exhaustion juxtaposed with the comfort found in love. This theme resonates throughout the album: - **Work and Exhaustion**: Many songs express the fatigue that comes from hard work, such as "I’ve been working like a dog," which captures the universal struggle of balancing labor with personal life. - **Love and Connection**: The recurring motif of love as a source of solace is evident in tracks like "And I Love Her," where McCartney’s heartfelt lyrics convey deep emotional sincerity. - **Frustration and Jealousy**: Songs like "You Can't Do That" explore themes of jealousy and possessiveness, showcasing Lennon’s ability to articulate complex emotions. Overall, the lyrics are characterized by their simplicity yet profound relatability, making them accessible to a wide audience. ****Music and Production Musically, *A Hard Day's Night* is notable for its innovative sound and production techniques. The album features a blend of rock and pop elements that were groundbreaking for its time: - **Instrumentation**: The use of George Harrison's Rickenbacker 12-string guitar creates a bright, jangly sound that became a defining characteristic of the album. The opening chord of the title track is particularly iconic, instantly recognizable and often cited as one of the greatest opening chords in rock history. - **Vocal Harmonies**: The Beatles' signature harmonies are prominently featured throughout the album. Lennon and McCartney's vocal interplay adds depth to tracks like "If I Fell" and "Things We Said Today," showcasing their growth as songwriters. - **Production Quality**: Produced by George Martin, the album benefits from his expertise in blending raw energy with polished sound. Martin utilized new four-track recording technology to enhance the clarity and richness of the music, allowing for intricate arrangements that were previously unattainable. The combination of these elements results in an album that feels cohesive yet diverse, with each track offering something unique while contributing to an overall sense of joy and exuberance. ****Influence *A Hard Day's Night* had a profound impact on both The Beatles' career trajectory and the broader music landscape: - **Cultural Significance**: Released alongside their first feature film of the same name, the album helped solidify The Beatles as cultural icons during the height of Beatlemania. The film's success introduced their music to an even wider audience, further embedding them in popular culture. - **Songwriting Evolution**: This album marked The Beatles' first entirely original soundtrack, showcasing their maturation as songwriters. The quality of their compositions set new standards for pop music and influenced countless artists who followed. - **Legacy**: Songs from *A Hard Day's Night* have been covered by numerous artists across various genres, demonstrating its lasting appeal. Tracks like "Can't Buy Me Love" remain staples in popular music repertoires today. ****Pros and Cons While *A Hard Day's Night* is widely regarded as one of The Beatles' essential works, it is not without its critiques: **Pros**: - **All-original Content**: This is the first Beatles album featuring only original songs, showcasing their songwriting prowess. - **Catchy Melodies**: The album is filled with infectious hooks that have stood the test of time. - **Cohesive Sound**: Despite its diversity in style, the album maintains a cohesive sound that reflects The Beatles' early pop-rock identity. - **Cultural Impact**: It played a significant role in shaping 1960s pop culture and establishing The Beatles as global superstars. **Cons**: - **Simplicity in Lyrics**: Some critics argue that while relatable, the lyrics can be overly simplistic compared to later works by The Beatles. - **Limited Musical Complexity**: Compared to subsequent albums like *Rubber Soul* or *Revolver*, *A Hard Day's Night* may seem less musically adventurous. - **Perception as 'Lightweight'**: Some listeners view it as part of their early 'moptop' phase, which can overshadow its artistic merits. In summary, *A Hard Day's Night* stands out as a pivotal moment in The Beatles' evolution as artists. Its combination of relatable lyrics, catchy melodies, innovative production techniques, and cultural significance solidifies its place in music history. While it has its limitations compared to later masterpieces, it remains an essential listen for anyone interested in understanding the trajectory of popular music in the 1960s.
I'm sure at the time these songs were wholly original and amazing. However, listening to it now I noticed many of the songs sounds repetitive. Can't Buy Me Love was the stand-out from this album. That's a timeless classic and I love it. Beatles are legendary, so I'm sure my 3-star score won't break their hearts. They have better albums in their catalogue.
A little killer, a lot of filler. Interesting to see how they evolved within just a couple years.
This is absolutely one of their best. Love it.
Considering the time when it came out, it is obviously a breakthrough album for the band . From distance of 50 years, it really aged well.
This is a great album, I hadn’t heard a lot of the songs and found a few new favorites.
Listened to the whole thing to check it was still 5 stars and fuck yes it is.
Pretty decent Beetles album. And I Love Her is so good!
Not my cup of tea but I recognize that the Beatles are supremely talented trailblazers.
What a great album. Not perfect but, separate from it being a Beatles album, it's well built. The tunes are catchy and varied. I do not like the Beatles in general but I have to hand it to them, my toes tapped a few times.
30 minutes long was respectful so at least I appreciate that
I had no idea this was a soundtrack for a movie with the exact same title. That said, it’s a decent album with a lot of Beatles tracks you’ve probably heard a hundred times. Other than that, there’s not much I can say about this album that hasn’t already been said over the last 60 years.
Great album...only complaint is that it doesn't have the variety and complexity of some of the later Beatles albums. It still amazes me how prolific they were in such a short period of time...
Never listened to this album, but have heard many of the songs of course. Hard to have perspective on something like this that is so foundational. A number of true classics. But if I judge it as I listen to it today, I can only give it a (strong) 4. "Until then I'll cry instead"
Con la beatlemanía recorriendo el planeta, en 1964 este disco y la película que lo acompañó pusieron a los de Liverpool muy por encima de todo lo visto hasta entonces. La canción que da título al disco, "A Hard Day's Night" anuncia un disco brillante y con una producción extraordinaria, y una letra eufórica y alegre sobre el amor. La letra, eso sí, pertenece a su tiempo, cuando la mujer no se había incorporado plenamente al mercado del trabajo y solían ser amas de casa. Pero el amor al que cantan los Beatles del hombre que llega a casa tras el duro trabajo es un sentimiento real y verdadero. Más allá de ésta, el disco está repleto de auténticos temazos que no me canso de escuchar una y otra vez: "Can't Buy Me Love", "Tell Me Why", "If I Fell" o "I'll Be Back" por decir unas pocas. Pero para mí la canción de este disco que más me ha marcado y más me gusta por encima de todas es "An I Love Her". Si alguna vez te has enamorado, seguro que esta es tu canción.
Great album!!! Every song was great.
Needs stern editing . Piss weak
Well, it’s the Beatles. I like them but don’t find most of their work massively compelling. Pleasant and mellow.
I enjoy this era of the Beatles. They are over their Twist and Shout days and are moving into more iconic territory. This 30 minute ripper was solid. Any longer than that and I would definitely rate it lower.
5/10 in six years from this album they would be one of the most transformative musical acts that pop music has ever seen and at the end of their good work. In this album they are pleasant-enough beanie babies. Wild. 10-28-2024
I hadn't heard a lot of the songs on this before, which I think is very telling. In fact I'd only heard Hard Day's Night and Can't Buy Me Love. The singing sounds very flat to me (easy to hear what The Rutles were parodying here). A lot of filler love songs which you me are just lesser versions of I Want to Hold Your Hand.
Enjoyable, of course. But early Beatles just feel a bit slight to me.
Obviously by Beatles standard, this album is nowhere near their best. However, it's still a pretty good mid-60s pop-rock album, and the opening track is fantastic. I just wish this album gets the "Giles Martin" treatment soon, because the 2009 remasters can be a struggle.
Yet another Beatles album.
Early Beatles never disappoint
Not one of my favorite Beatles records, but still pretty great.
stil not quite there ,but these boys are getting better . 3
I could have it playing in the background, but not something I would actively listen to
Quite Lennony. I do find it a little sad that “And I Love Her” sounds like it could have been written at any time in the last 60 years of McCartney’s career.
This album made me rethink the way I perceive the Beatles. Before, I thought they were just some pop rock band from a long time ago that everyone overhyped. It's now that I realize the Beatles were quite something. I am most definitely late to come to this realization, but I don't care.
60s rock with a tinge of extra enjoyability across the album because the beatles are good just on the cusp of 4/5, but instead, as someone who hasnt listened through a beatles album before signing up for this site, this one will just keep me more excited for the next i roll from them
I still don't get it.
Look, The Beatles are almost always gonna be p solid ^^; this ain’t my favorite album, buuuuut it’s still generally p great.
pretty great, pretty short too. how many songs even make it past 3 minutes? crazy stuff.
I’ve listened to the later albums so much that it’s always interesting to hear the earlier stuff. I don’t think I’ve closely listened to this album top to bottom before 1. A hard days night A classic 2. I should have known better. This song is a good example of the simplicity of their music at this time. The experimental stuff nowhere to be found 3. If I fell Beautiful melodies and harmonies Love the chord progression. Keeps you on your toes. 4. I’m happy just to dance with you intro guitar tone fire. The love songs of this Beatles era feel more boy band-ish. Mainly lyrically 5. And I love her Vocal production is great Guitar riff is so memorable Nylon (or whatever) guitar sound and melody is beautiful. Simple solo that lets you breathe for a second 6. Tell me why These harmonies and the style feel super duper 60’s. Less distinctively Beatles. But it’s a great song 7. Can’t buy me love Such a simple song but the conceptual approach is interesting and hooky. These songs are so short and seeet 8. Any time at all Gritty voice. Less than 2 minutes 9. I’ll cry instead 10. Things we said today I like the structure and melody more than the lyrics 11. When I get home This album does have a pretty distinct sound. I think hard days night when a bunch of these start (since that’s the song I know best from this record) 12. You can’t do that Nice guitar solo before bridge. A very good song but grabs me less than some of the others on the album. Again the lyrics are fine (you can’t do that is a great memorable line though) 13. I’ll be back Love how it starts The chord progression is beautiful. Very Beatles. Keeps you on your toes and you’re not sure where it’ll resolve and makes each part feel interesting even when you’ve heard it already Overall I love this album. It’s not as flawless as some of the later ones but of course not is this is the first album where they’re writing all the songs. Interesting that as time goes on their lyrics also get more absurd. Seems like they mostly didn’t take themselves too seriously lyrically even later. Feels like following what feels right is how they created
Refined vanilla Beatles.
Fun, catchy Beatles
Fun early Beatles
I have a lot of nostalgia here, from playing my parents' Beatles 45s as a kid. This isn't my favourite era of their career, but it's still a ton of fun. I'm still not sure that anyone does pop rock better.
4/5 GREAT
well, it's the beatles. idk what to say about them. i'm more a fan of their weird stuff and they weren't really doing that yet with this album. favs were title track, and i love her, + things we said today
Boring, but not completely unlistenable. Not much to say about it.
I love the Beatles' early work. All the experimentation is fun and everything, but sometimes you just want some straight ahead pop that has a few interesting chordal choices and notes choices.
An inoffensive Beatles record. Fun listen. If I Fell, Can't Buy Me Love, Things We Said Today, You Can't Do That were my favourites. Absolute favourite was "And I Love Her", however. Fantastic song altogether. Feck it, is this list driving me to liking The Beatles? (this was their first album that I found anything of note in)
Full 5 stars
Great energy. A few great songs but overall not my favorite of the Beatles albums.
Basic, good I guess… 3.5 here but I’m leaning downwards
kurt cobain!
The temptation is to look at an early Beatles and hesitate to give it top marks because it's so earnest and sunshiney. But I'm just happy when listening to it, singing along and harmonizing. A Hard Day's Night is imprinted on me — and pop culture, both.
Great album, and wonderful representation of the early Beatles. Not as thought provoking, deep or Duffy as their later stuff, the pop hooks are still here in abundance.
October 18, 2024 Album 930: After 7 main albums and 5 solo ones, no more Beatles for the rest of the list! I kinda liked knowing the next random album might be an excuse to revisit the Fab Four, but since many of the albums I dreaded the most- Napalm Death, Public Image Ltd., 2-hr-long drum-and-bass records- are also behind me, I shouldn’t need my comfort listens to fall back on for a while 🥺 About AHDN: In a perfect world, it would contain “This Boy”, labelled as “Ringo’s Theme” in the actual movie soundtrack. But alas, we must settle for near-perfect. The songs that ARE contained within are gems. If I had to choose a least favourite it would probably be “I’ll Cry Instead”, but only because John did the country ditty better on Beatles for Sale and Help!. If I had to choose a favourite… today it’s “If I Fell”, a fragile duet that heralds the more artsy direction they would be heading in. But most days- it’s all about that title track baby 🎸 🎸 🎸 “I’ll Be Back”, “Things We Said Today” & “I’m Happy Just to Dance With You” shoulda been big, but considering the saturation of Beatles Billboard hits at the time, maybe it’s best they didn’t
A classic