Magical Mystery Tour

Released:
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}