"WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS" THE BEATLES (1968)

I generally gravitate to the music first before the lyrics. But as a writer, I still marvel at well-spun verses and choruses. This month, I’m joining the music Twitter community in #SeptSongLyricChallenge

Day 16

Penned by George Harrison, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is one of my favorite Beatles songs. Melodic, but strewn with unexpected chord progressions and a descending bass line. Harrison is on the Hammond organ and Lennon is joined by Eric Clapton on guitar, which adds a muscular sound to the original studio track. But the greatest thing about the song are the words. A song of universal love, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is ridden with words that seem to exude misery and hope simultaneously. Lyrically, it is one of The Beatles’ finest. It’s a shame Harrison didn’t contribute more to their catalog.

“I don't know how you were diverted. You were perverted too. I don't know how you were inverted. No one alerted you.”

"DEAR PRUDENCE" THE BEATLES (1968)

This is perhaps one of the most underrated Beatles songs ever recorded. The 80’s cover by Siouxsie & the Banshees was my introduction to this bizarre, yet beautiful song. But The Beatles’ original was much more unexpected and experimental in sound. “Dear Prudence” was written to the environment and mood. Both figurative and literal, it was the band’s plea to Mia Farrow’s sister Prudence to come and play while they were traveling in India.

“Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play. Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day.”

"STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER" THE BEATLES (1967)

“Strawberry Fields Forever” remains one of my all-time favorite Beatles songs. Maybe because it’s a bit less happy and on the nose compared to many of their hits. Sandwiched in between “Penny Lane” and “Hello, Goodbye”, it had this strangely attractive dissonance from the first listen, painting a picture of a physical space and an emotional state all in the same breath.

“Let me take you down 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields. Nothing is real. And nothing to get hung about.”