White Album

for those you lucky ones to have been record-buyers in November-December
1968, when you first put Side 1 of the first record, were you shocked by
"Back in the USSR"/Dear Prudence?

TAR...

I don't remember those two songs in particular, but I do recall being
with my sister as she played the album for the first time. She was
laughing at some of the unusual songs. I remember thinking, "Boy, those
Beatles are funny!"

Dale Houstman...

I don't recall being "shocked". Of course, my radio (if the weather was
right) could pick up a New York station ("Sunday! Niagra!") which got a
pre-release copy, so I'd heard it by the time I bought it. But I can't
imagine that I would have been shocked at any rate: by that time, I was
aware that the group was pretty much capable of anything ("Tomorrow
Never Knows" and "I Am The Walrus"), and - besides - those two tracks
while amongst my favorites on the record, don't really strike me as so
outre. The first is a great rocker with sharp satirical lyrics, and the
second a dreamy little foray. But "shocking"? I didn't think so...

Manco...

I forgot to mention what was the initial impact of 'While My Guitar Gently
Weeps"

Lizz Holmans...

I loathed it from the moment I first heard it, except for Eric
Clapton's guitar work. The lyrics are ghastly, the arrangement stinks,
and the whole idea of the song is both elitist and maudlin.

Salvador Astucia...

Wow, Lizz. We actually agree on something. The main reason I ever liked
WMGGW was because I thought George was playing the lead guitar part.
When I discovered it was really Clapton I realized it was a weak song
effort, but his friend helped him make it sound better.

"I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping." (Give me a break.)

I also don't like that high-pitch organ sound on the bridge.

Dale Houstman...

I like the song, but you have a point: it does have George's signature
"I got the word and you don't" attitude, and the lyrics are his usual
abstractions. The guitar work is very nearly the best thing Clapton ever
did.

Lizz 'I realize I am in a minority' Holmans

Dale Houstman...

I liked it.

Salvador Astucia...

My brothers and I bought the White Album when it first came out. I
don't remember which one of us actually paid for it, but we were those
"lucky ones" who heard the White Album when it first came out. Now that
I think about it, I believe one of us presented it to the others as a
Christmas present because it was released near Christmas.

Rocky Racoon...

Actually, it was released in November.

Dale Houstman...

Since Christmas begins right after Halloween, I think November is "near
Christmas". Anyway, many kids (like myself) got the album as a Christmas
present.

Rocky Racoon...

But was he one of the lucky ones who heard it when it first came out?

Doubt it.

Salvador Astucia...

Yes, I already said I was one of the "lucky ones" who heard it when it
first came out.

And as I stated before, the album was released near Christmas (which
includes November) and I'm pretty sure one of my brothers (or myself)
gave it to the other brothers as a Christmas present.

Dale Houstman...

Well, I heard it before it was released - on NYC radio. Quite a thrill
hearing it coming through the air at night, even if the reception was a
bit dicey.

But - really - hearing it for the first time a month or two later isn't
really that much different of an experience from hearing it for the
first time a month or two earlier. It's still the "first time".

I don't recall being blown away by USSR, but I liked Dear Prudence
right away. A song that a lot of people liked was Birthday because it
was such a rocker.

I remember us playing the White Album all through the holidays. There
was so much to listen to, it didn't get on anyone's nerves. And we kept
looking at the folded up photo sheet that came with it, not to mention
the individual photos of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

I recall hearing about the White Album before it came out. People were
saying that the Beatles were playing their guitars again and sounding
like a band instead of a symphony. That's something I was excited
about. I respected the Pepper period, but I was glad it was over.
That's really what I liked about the White Album at the time it came
out. It represented a new beginning of sorts. Little did I know at the
time that the end was near.

Sean Carroll...

Well, they pretty much have all the Christmas stuff out to sell already
in April, so close enough.

I don't recall being blown away by USSR, but I liked Dear Prudence
right away. A song that a lot of people liked was Birthday because it
was such a rocker.

Actually, my first impression of USSR was it was putting down the Beach
Boys. I thought it was a satire of Surfin' USA. But no one else seemed
to get it. I still think that's basically what it was. I never
particularly liked it or disliked it. It was humorous to me -- Beatle
humor. If they thought it was cool, then it was cool with me. That was
my attitude. I think that was the attitude of many fans at the time.

There were so many songs on the album, it took some time to absorb. And
John had come out with his new look (the new hairstyle, I mean). And I
recall being a little upset that he had left his wife. I felt like they
were all family, but I knew John was troubled. I noticed that he had
stopped smiling in Beatle photos since Pepper came out. He seemed sad,
and I was worried about him. But I still liked the thrill of listening
to and absorbing a new Beatle album.

I recall hearing about the White Album before it came out. People were
saying that the Beatles were playing their guitars again and sounding
like a band instead of a symphony. That's something I was excited
about. I respected the Pepper period, but I was glad it was over.
That's really what I liked about the White Album at the time it came
out. It represented a new beginning of sorts. Little did I know at the
time that the end was near.

cuppajoe2go...

The two songs Paul played drums on.

Actually I had to take it back to exchange for another as the intro to
BITUSSR skipped - like so many others who bought it around the same
time.