Oh I get it--Dr Robert is a Stones send up

The country honk playing, the theme of the song, Lennon singing in a
slight nasal congested mode. It's a Stones parody. The middle part of
Mother's Little Helper--Doctor please, some more of these-- would fit
right in, same harmonies and everything. OK. Good. I always disliked the
song. A true throwaway, I thought. But now I see it as a shot across the
lips of Stones Inc., so I like it better now. Somebody should have said
something to that effect right here on this board a long time ago.

donz5...

It's an interesting hypothesis. Here's the recording chronology:

"Rubber Soul" released December 3, 1965 in the UK, December 6 in the US
(the Stones were in L.A. during this period; radio stations had been
playing tracks from the album the week preceding).

Mother's Little Helper recorded at RCA Studios in L.A. sometime between
December 3 and 8, 1965.

"Aftermath" released in England April 15, 1966.

Dr. Robert's first recording session: April 17, 1966.

SO Jones

Chris Jepson...

Somebody did, sort of. Earlier this year I posted a message called
"Mother's Little Well Respected Doctor Robert" in which I pointed out
the similarities among those three songs (Mother's Little Helper, A Well
Respected Man, Doctor Robert).

Chris Jepson

ian...

I remember that -- "Short People" would be a late entry...

Manco...

It's a great song no matter what you think.