November 1967 - US; December 1967 - UK
Charted:
#1 US; #31 UK
Album Notes:
Soundtrack of a TV special that aired in the UK in 1967, but didn't appear in the US until 1976, as a theatrical release. The film, which was an early precursor of today's "reality" TV shows, was ridiculed by both critics and fans.
Album Cover Notes:
Animal costumes and masks were in keeping with the predominantly psychedelic themes of the music.
Track List & Song Info:
Side One
1. "Magical Mystery Tour" (Lennon-McCartney)
Heavy on the horns, Paul wrote the verses, John the refrain
2. "The Fool on the Hill" (Lennon-McCartney)
Paul's story about the appearance of foolishness being a sign of wisdom
3. "Flying" (Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starkey)
The first time all four Beatles were credited as writers was on this instrumental
4. "Blue Jay Way" (Harrison)
The title is the name of an actual street that overlooks the entire Los Angeles area
5. "Your Mother Should Know" (Lennon-McCartney)
Intentionally old-fashioned sounding, to accompany a scene in which they dance down a stairway
6. "I Am the Walrus" (Lennon-McCartney)
Lennon, who was the walrus on the album cover, said he wrote the first two lines while on acid trips
Side Two
1. "Hello, Goodbye" (Lennon-McCartney)
McCartney wrote and sang it; Lennon wanted nothing to do with it
2. "Strawberry Fields Forever" (Lennon-McCartney)
One of the songs that provided the foundation of the psychedelic rock genre
3. "Penny Lane" (Lennon-McCartney)
A street in the Liverpool neighborhood where McCartney and Lennon grew up
4. "Baby You're a Rich Man" (Lennon-McCartney)
Originally titled "One of the Beautiful People," it had been intended for Yellow Submarine
5. "All You Need Is Love" (Lennon-McCartney)
Backup vocals: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Keith Moon, Eric Clapton, Graham Nash