The Beatles (The White Album) de The Beatles
Álbum de The Beatles
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 22 de Noviembre de 1968
- Compositores: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
- Productores: George Martin
The Beatles (The White Album) es un álbum de The Beatles, publicado en 1991. El disco incluye 17 canciones, entre ellas «Back In The U.S.S.R.», «Dear Pudence», «Glass Onion» y «Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da».
Lanzado en 1968, el noveno álbum de estudio de The Beatles, conocido universalmente como The White Album (El Álbum Blanco) por su portada completamente blanca, es su obra más expansiva, ecléctica y, en última instancia, fragmentada. Este monumental álbum doble de 30 canciones es el sonido de cuatro artistas increíblemente talentosos trabajando más como solistas que como una banda unida. Tras un viaje a la India para estudiar meditación, los miembros regresaron con una avalancha de canciones que abarcaban una asombrosa variedad de géneros: hard rock, blues, folk, country, music hall y música experimental. Es un disco a menudo brillante pero también desigual, un fascinante documento de la desintegración creativa de la banda más grande del mundo.
Contexto y grabación
La grabación de "The White Album" fue un proceso largo y lleno de tensiones. Fue el primer álbum que grabaron tras la muerte de Brian Epstein y el primero en su propio sello, Apple Records. Las sesiones en Abbey Road se extendieron durante cinco meses y estuvieron marcadas por los conflictos. Los miembros a menudo grababan en estudios separados, trabajando en sus propias canciones con la ayuda de los otros como músicos de sesión. La presencia constante de la nueva pareja de John Lennon, Yoko Ono, en el estudio, también fue una fuente de tensión.
El productor George Martin, frustrado por la falta de colaboración, llegó a sugerir que deberían haber lanzado un solo LP con el mejor material, en lugar de un doble álbum. En un momento, la tensión fue tan alta que Ringo Starr abandonó la banda durante dos semanas, y Paul McCartney tuvo que grabar la batería en algunas canciones.
Sonido y estilo
El álbum es una enciclopedia de estilos musicales. No hay un sonido unificador; en su lugar, cada canción es un mundo en sí misma, reflejando el gusto y la personalidad de su compositor. El disco contiene algunos de los rocks más duros de la banda, como "Helter Skelter", junto a delicadas baladas acústicas como "Blackbird". La experimentación vanguardista de Lennon llega a su clímax en el collage sonoro de ocho minutos "Revolution 9".
Las canciones del álbum
El álbum está lleno de clásicos inmortales. "Back in the U.S.S.R." es un enérgico homenaje a Chuck Berry y The Beach Boys. "Dear Prudence" es una hermosa canción de Lennon. La contribución más aclamada de George Harrison es la majestuosa "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", que cuenta con un legendario solo de guitarra no acreditado de su amigo Eric Clapton.
"Helter Skelter" de McCartney es a menudo citada como una de las primeras canciones de heavy metal de la historia. "Julia" es la única grabación en solitario de Lennon en toda la discografía de The Beatles, una emotiva oda a su madre fallecida. "Good Night", cantada por Ringo, es una exuberante balada orquestal.
Portada
La portada, diseñada por el artista pop Richard Hamilton, es la antítesis de la de "Sgt. Pepper's". Es completamente blanca, con solo el nombre de la banda grabado en relieve. Cada copia del vinilo original venía con un número de serie único, convirtiéndolas en objetos de coleccionista. El diseño minimalista era una declaración, un lienzo en blanco para la ecléctica música que contenía.
El álbum en listas
El álbum fue un éxito comercial masivo en todo el mundo.
- UK Albums Chart: 1
- USA Billboard Top LPs: 1
- Alemania (GfK Entertainment): 1
- Canadá (RPM): 1
Recepción crítica
La crítica fue abrumadoramente positiva, aunque muchos señalaron su carácter fragmentado. Con el tiempo, "The White Album" se ha convertido en uno de los álbumes más queridos y debatidos de la banda. Es una obra monumental que, en su brillantez y su caos, captura a cuatro genios musicales en el proceso de seguir sus propios caminos.
Listado de Canciones
- Back In The U.S.S.R.
Letra
Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC. Didn't get to bed last night. On the way the paper bag was on my knee. Man I had I dreadful flight. I'm back in the USSR. You don't know how lucky you lucky you are boy Back in the USSR. Been away so long I hardly knew the place. Gee it's good to be back home. Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case. Honey disconnect the phone. I'm back in the USSR. You don't know how lucky you are boy Back in the US,. Back in the US. Back in the USSR. Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out. They leave the West behind. And Moscow girls make me sing and shout And Georgia's always on my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind. I'm back in the USSR. You don't know how lucky you are boys Back in the USSR. Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out. They leave the West behind. And Moscow girls make me sing and shout And Georgia's always on my, my, my, my, my, my, my mind. Show me round your snow peaked mountains way down south Take me to your daddy's farm Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out Come and keep your comrade warm. I'm back in the USSR. You don't know how lucky you are boy Back in the USSR. - Dear Pudence
Letra
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play. Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day. The sun is up, the sky is blue. It's beautiful and so are you. Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? Dear Prudence open up your eyes. Dear Prudence see the sunny skies. The wind is low, the birds will sing That you are part of everything. Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes? Look around round Look around, round, round Look around. Dear Prudence, let me see you smile. Dear Prudence, like a little child. The clouds will be a daisy chain. So let me see you smile again. Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile? Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day The sun is up, the sky is blue It’s beautiful and so are you Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play? - Glass Onion
Letra
I told you about strawberry fields. You know the place where nothing is real. Well here's another place you can go Where everything flows. Looking through the bent backed tulips To see how the other half live Looking through a glass onion. I told you about the walrus and me man. You know that we're as close as can be man. Well here's another clue for you all The walrus was Paul. Standing on the cast iron shore yeah. Lady Madonna trying to make ends meet yeah. Looking through a glass onion. Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah Looking through a glass onion. I told you about the fool on the hill. I tell you man he's living there still. Well here's another place you can be. Listen to me. Fixing a hole in the ocean Trying to make a dove-tail joint, yeah Looking through a glass onion. - Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
Letra
Desmond has a barrow in the market place. Molly is a singer in a band. Desmond says to Molly, girl I like your face And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand. Ob-la-di Ob-la-da, life goes on bra La, la how the life goes on Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da life goes on bra La, la how the life goes on Desmond takes a trolley to the jewelers' store, Buys a twenty carat golden ring. Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door And as he gives it to her she begins to sing Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, life goes on bra La, la how the life goes on Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, life goes on bra La, la how the life goes on In a couple of years they have built A home sweet home With a couple of kids running in the yard Of Desmond and Molly Jones. Happy ever after in the market place Desmond lets the children lend a hand. Molly stays at home and does her pretty face And in the evening she still sings it with the band. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da life goes on bra La, la how the life goes on Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da life goes on bra La, la how the life goes on In a couple of years, they have built a home sweet home With a couple of kids running in the yard of Desmond and Molly Jones. Happy ever after in the market place Molly lets the children lend a hand. Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face And in the evening she's singer with the band. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, life goes on bra La, la how the life goes on Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da life goes on, bra La, la how the life goes on And if you want some fun, sing Ob-la-di bla-da. - Wild Honey Pie
Letra
Honey pie, Honey pie Honey pie, Honey pie Honey pie, Honey pie Honey pie, Honey pie I love you - The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
Letra
Hey, Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill He went out tiger hunting with his elephant and gun In case of accidents he always took his mom He's the all American bullet-headed Saxon mother's son All the children sing Hey, Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise So Captain Marval zapped him right between the eyes All the children sing Hey, Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill The children asked him if to kill was not a sin "Not when he looked so fierce" his mommy butted in If looks could kill it would have been us instead of him All the children sing Hey, Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey, Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey, Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill Hey, Bungalow Bill What did you kill, Bungalow Bill - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Letra
Look at you all see the love there that's sleeping While my guitar gently weeps. I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping Still my guitar gently weeps. I don't know why nobody told you How to unfold your love, I don't know how someone controlled you They bought and sold you. I look at the world and I notice it's turning While my guitar gently weeps. With every mistake we must surely be learning, Still my guitar gently weeps. I don't know how you were diverted You were perverted too. I don't know how you were inverted No one alerted you. I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping, While my guitar gently weeps. Look at you all, Still my guitar gently weeps - Happiness Is A Warm Gun
Letra
She's not a girl who misses much. Do do do do do do do do She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand Like a lizard on a window pane. The man in the crowd with the multicolored mirrors On his hobnail boots Lying with his eyes while his hands are busy Working overtime A soap impression of his wife which he ate And donated to the National Trust. I need a fix 'cause I'm going down. Down to the bits that I left uptown. I need a fix 'cause I'm going down. Mother Superior jump the gun Mother Superior jump the gun Mother Superior jump the gun Mother Superior jump the gun. Happiness is a warm gun Happiness is a warm gun When I hold you in my arms And I feel my finger on your trigger I know nobody can do me no harm Because happiness is a warm gun. Happiness is a warm gun Yes it is. Happiness is a warm, yes it is, gun. Well, don’t you know that happiness is a warm gun, mama. - Martha My Dear
Letra
Martha my dear though I spend my days In conversation Please Remember me, Martha my love Don't forget me, Martha my dear Hold your head up you silly girl, look what you've done When you find yourself in the thick of it Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you Silly girl. Take a good look around you Take a good look you're bound to see That you and me were meant to be for each other Silly girl. Hold your hand out you silly girl see what you've done When you find yourself in the thick of it Help yourself to a bit of what's all around you Silly girl. Martha my dear you have always been My inspiration Please Be good to me Martha my love Don't forget me Martha my dear. - I'm So Tired
Letra
I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink, I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink. I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink. No, no, no. I'm so tired I don't know what to do. I'm so tired my mind is set on you. I wonder should I call you but I know what you'd do. You'd say I'm putting you on. But it's no joke, it's doing me harm. You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane. You know I'd give you everything I've got For a little peace of mind. I'm so tired, I'm feeling so upset Although I'm so tired, I'll have another cigarette And curse Sir Walter Raleigh. He was such a stupid get You'd say I'm putting you on. But it's no joke, it's doing me harm. You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane. You know I'd give you everything I've got For a little peace of mind. - Blackbird
Letra
Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise. Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these sunken eyes and learn to see. All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free. Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly Into the light of the dark black night. Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly Into the light of the dark black night. Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise You were only waiting for this moment to arise You were only waiting for this moment to arise - Piggies
Letra
Have you seen the little piggies crawling in the dirt? And for all the little piggies life is getting worse, Always having dirt to play around in. Have you seen the bigger piggies in their starched white shirts? You will find the bigger piggies stirring up the dirt, Always have clean shirts to play around in. In their sties with all their backing they don't care what goes on around, In their eyes there's something lacking, What they need's a damn good whacking. Everywhere there's lots of piggies living piggie lives, You can see them out for dinner with their piggie wives, Clutching forks and knives to eat their bacon. - Rocky Raccoon
Letra
Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon. And one day his woman ran off with another guy. Hit young Rocky in the eye. Rocky didn't like that. He said I'm gonna get that boy. So one day he walked in to town Booked himself a room in the local saloon. Rocky Raccoon checked into his room Only to find Gideon's Bible. Rocky had come equipped with a gun To shoot off the legs of his rival. His rival it seems had broken his dreams By stealing the girl of his fancy. Her name was Magill and she called herself Lil But everyone knew her as Nancy. Now she and her man who called himself Dan Were in the next room at the hoe down. Rocky bust in and grinning a grin. He said Danny boy this is a showdown But Daniel was hot, he drew first and shot And Rocky collapsed in the corner. Now the doctor came in stinking of gin And proceeded to lie on the table. He said Rocky you met your match. And Rocky said, Doc it's only a scratch And I'll be better, I'll be better doc as soon as I am able. Now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room Only to find Gideon's Bible. Gideon checked out and he left in no doubt To help with good Rocky's revival. - Don't Pass Me By
Letra
I listen for your footsteps coming up the drive, Listen for your footsteps but they don't arrive, Waiting for your knock dear on my old front door, I don't hear it, Does it mean you don't love me anymore? I hear the clock a-ticking on the mantel shelf, See the hands a-moving but I'm by myself, I wonder where you are tonight and why I'm by myself, I don't see you. Does it mean you don't love me anymore? Don't pass me by, don't make me cry, don't make me blue, Cause you know daring I love only you, You'll never know it hurt me so, How I hate to see you go, Don't pass me by, don't make me cry I’m sorry that I doubted you, I was so unfair, You were in a car crash and you lost your hair, You said that you would be late, about an hour or two I said that's all right I'm waiting here, just waiting to hear from you. Don't pass me by, don't make me cry, don't make me blue, Cause you know daring I love only you, You'll never know it hurt me so, How I hate to see you go, Don't pass me by, don't make me cry - Why Don't We Do It In The Road?
Letra
Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? No one will be watching us. Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? No one will be watching us. Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? Why don't we do it in the road? No one will be watching us. Why don't we do it in the road? - I Will
Letra
Who knows how long I've loved you. You know I love you still. Will I wait a lonely lifetime If you want me to I will. For if I ever saw you I didn't catch your name. But it never really mattered I will always feel the same. Love you forever and forever. Love you with all my heart. Love you whenever we're together. Love you when we're apart. And when at last I find you Your song will fill the air Sing it loud so I can hear. Make it easy to be near you. For the things you do endear you to me You know I will. I will. - Julia
Letra
Half of what I say is meaningless But I say it just to reach you, Julia. Julia, Julia, ocean child, calls me So I sing a song of love, Julia Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me So I sing a song of love, Julia. Her hair of floating sky is shimmering, Glimmering, In the sun. Julia, Julia, morning moon, touch me So I sing a song of love, Julia. When I cannot sing my heart I can only speak my mind, Julia. Julia, sleeping sand, silent cloud, touch me So I sing a song of love, Julia. Hm hm hm, calls me So I sing a song of love for Julia, Julia, Julia