#388 on Rolling Stone Top 500 album list
Released in 1964, A Hard Day's Night was the Fab Four's third album released. It is actually a soundtrack to the movie of the same name. It contains two #1 songs, A Hard Day's Night and Can't Buy Me Love.
When I first started listening to A Hard Day's Night, I dismissed it as a bunch of early sappy Beatles songs and put it on the shelf for a couple of months. I was somewhat right; it's not much of a lyrically-strong album. But sometimes you have too look past that and just focus on the music. The music itself is great, filled with nice vocals and very catchy choruses
Lastly, I think Ringo gives off a great effort on this album. He too much unfairly gets labeled as the only talentless member of the Beatles. That is simply not true. He was just what they needed, someone too give a steady beat and great rhythm. And I think he does that great on this album.
Member
John Lennon-Vocals and guitar
Paul McCartney-Vocals and bass
George Harrison-Guitar and vocals
Ringo Starr-Drums
All song written by Lennon/McCartney
Standout Tracks
A Hard Day's Night
I Should Have Known Better
If I Fell
Tell Me Why
Can't Buy Me Love
1. A Hard Day's Night - The title track and most well-known song on the album. The chord at the beginning is one the most recognized intros to any song. Truly a song that everyone loves.
5/5
2. I Should Have Known Better - Another very strong track. It starts off with some great harmonica playing(by John, I believe) then starts with the vocals(about love of course). There is a solo in there which is pretty much copied exactly from the vocal delivery. Keep in mind George was only 21, and was not the experienced guitarist who he was in the post-Rubber Soul era.
5/5
3. If I Fell - The reason I listed this as a standout track is because I have heard a couple of people say how great this song is. Personally, I think here are a couple better songs on here. I can see why people like it so much though. Great singing by John and Paul.
5/5
4. I'm Happy Just To Dance With You - John wrote this song, but it is sang by George. Up to this point, George had only written one song and was still pretty inexperienced. As for the song, Ringo's drumming is wonderful and George's singing is pretty good, but not amazing.
4/5
5. And I Love Her - This is one of the only tracks that has excellent guitar work by George Harrison. It starts off with a cool four-note acoustic guitar riff then he plays rhythm. There is an acoustic solo later in the song which, again, is copied from the vocal delivery, except this one has lots of slides and hammer ons.
4.5/5
6. Tell Me Why - This is my favorite song on the album. The chorus is so incredibly catchy. You will find yourself singing this one when oyu first heard it. It starts with a cool "jam"(with great drumming by Ringo). The only part I don't like is when during one of the verses, John is singing about begging a woman to listen to his pleas and he sings in this annoying childish voice
"Is there anything I can do?".
5/5
7. Can't Buy Me Love - This along with A Hard Day's Night both made it to #1. So if you have Beatles 1, then you have heard this song. Great rhythm(especially by Ringo :D). The chorus is extremely catchy. Also, George has a pretty neat Chuck Berry-like solo at the midway point(He was one of the Beatles biggest influences).
5/5
8. Any Time At All - Some nice singing at the beginning where John and Paul switch off yelling "Any time at all" in a somewhat scratchy voice. But during the verse, John's voice sounds very pure. I really like the piano solo halfway through the song.
4/5
9. I'll Cry Instead - Nice little riff, and excellent singing by John. Actually, the lyrics are pretty good on this song. Not much to say about it though.
4/5
10. Things We Said Today - This is a very odd song, because the lyrics are about love, but it sounds like an old western song. I think if Paul wrote this song a few years later, it wouldn't have been about love, but it's still a great song.
4.5/5
11. When I Get Home - Another very catchy chorus. Ringo really drives the song, and John sings it flawlessly. Excellent song.
4.5/5
12. You Can't Do That - I believe George plays this on a 12-string guitar. The riff he plays sounds like it came out of The Twilight Zone. This song actually influenced the guitaritst of The Byrds to go out and buy one and use it on their music. Sung by John.
5/5
13. I'll be Back - This sounds a little like Things We Said Today. It's got a somewhat dark feeling to it. Once again, I think this song would have been better if the lyrics weren't about love.
5/5
Rating: 4/5
The reason for the 4/5 rating is because there are many other Beatles albums that are simply better then this one. But it was early in their careers, and they were not too experienced as they were when they made Revolver or Abbey Road. But if you are into early Beatles work, then this album is a must-have.
