The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

This is the Beatles' eighth studio album (UK), which was released in June 1967. And it has been regarded by many as the Beatles' finest album and the most influential album of all time.

Recorded over 4 months begining in December 1966, this boundary-pushing album sees the band exploring further the experimentation of their previous album, Revolver.

The album is loosely based on a concept that the Beatles are performing as the ficticious band of the album title. The songs deal particularly with themes of childhood and everyday life.

Despite some of these scintilating songs are actually unrelated, the cohesive transitioning between songs of the album, as well as the use of the two Sgt. Pepper... songs (the opening song & the reprise) as bookends, the album was dubbed by many as the first "concept album". As a result, concept albums by other artistes soon began to appear after this.

The album topped the UK album chart for 27 weeks and won 4 Grammy awards in 1968.

Its album cover, depicting the band posing in front of a collage of famous people, has itself been widely acclaimed and imitated. It is designed by noted British 'pop' artist Peter Blake and his wife, and photographed by Michael Cooper.

All song written by Lennon-McCartney, except Within You, Without You by Harrison:s

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: The rousing opener has Paul in lead vocals, with John and George harmonising on the backing and chorus. Both John and George play lead guitars in the song. George Martin is on organ while a horn quartet is used to fill out the instrumental sections. At the end of the song, there is a sung introduction for "band leader", Billy Shears (Ringo), to perform the next song...

2. With A Little Help From My Friends: This is by far Ringo's best lead vocal performance as a Beatle. John and Paul provide vocal support on the backing and the chorus. Paul also plays the piano while George helps out in tambourine. (This is one of the songs in the album that, to some critics, contains subtle hints on drugs - I get high.. with a little help from my friends.)

3. Lucy In The Sky Of Diamonds: This is another BBC-banned song that had also became the subject of speculation regarding its meaning, as many believed that the song title was a code for L S D, despite John Lennon's denial. Lead vocals are by John with Paul and George joining in on chorus and backing vocals. The introduction music is the hammond organ (which sounds like a harpsicord) played by Paul. John is on lead guitar while George plays sitar.

4. Getting Better: Lead vocals are from Paul, who also joins John for the backing. Both John and George play the lead guitars. George also tries out a new Indian instrument, a tampura, that produces a droning resonant tone. Ringo adds in the bongo while George Martin strikes on the strings of a piano at the end of the song.

5. Fixing A Hole: Paul is on lead vocal again in this up-tempo song. Apart from his normal bass playing, Paul also handles harpsichord and shares lead guitar playing with George. John, who plays maraccas on this track, also supports backing vocal together with George.

6. She's Leaving Home: In Eleonor Rigbty, Paul writes about loneliness. Here, he makes a social statement about a girl running away from home because she she lacks love and attention in her life. Paul sings a double-tracked interwoven lead vocal with John singing here and there. This is the only track on the album where the Beatles do not play any instrument. The only accompanyment is a harp and some violins by session musicians.

7. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite: John sings the solo lead vocal and plays Hammond organ on this unusual song that depicts a ringmaster of a circus announcing his acts. Paul plays the bass and lead guitar. George, Ringo and two other sessionists play the harmonicas. Producer George Martin adds in Wurlitzer organ to achieve the required sound effect of a fairground.

8. Within You, Without You: This is George Harrison's second attempt in incorporating Indian music in his song. (The first one is Love You To in the Revolver album.) In this more than 5-minute long song, George merges an assortment of Indian instrument (like tabla, tambouras, etc) with eight violins and three cellos. George, in lead solo vocal, is the only Beatle present during the recording. Despite the innovation, I do not like the song as singing in English with Indian music in the background, to me, just could not gel.

9. When I'm Sixty-Four: Lead vocal is from Paul with a 3-part harmony backing from John, Paul and George. Paul plays the piano too. John takes over from George in lead guitar. The sound of the clarinets and bass clarinet is played by session musicians.

10. Lovely Rita: Paul is on lead vocal again, while the backing vocals are done by John, Paul and George. Both John and George play the acoustic guitars. Paul plays bass and piano while George Martin plays a honky tonk piano interlude during the instrumental break.

11. Good Morning, Good Morning: A lively track with plenty of sound effects (cock crowing, dog barking, etc.) and some solid brass played by Sounds Incorporated (a group of Liverpool musicians). The lead vocal is by John, and he is joined by Paul for the chorus. Paul doubles on bass and has a lead guitar solo.

12. Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise): John, Paul and George sing lead vocals for this short second version of the title track. Unlike the opening track, there are no horns here. The song fades out to the sound of the acoustic guitar and piano of the last song (climax) of the album...

13. A Day In The Life: This is one of the Beatles' best and controversial songs. The verses sung by John and the chorus sung by Paul are actually two sections that happen to fit, cleverly incorporated and assisted by a 41-piece orchestra. Additional instrumentaions are by George on bongos, Ringo on maraccas and George Martin on harmonium and the Beatles all striking on the pianos at the end of the song.