Drive My Car

Today we begin the album Rubber Soul. Released in December of 1965, the album was rushed to meet the Christmas market and thus it's the only Beatles album to have been recorded during a specific period of time (as opposed to written and recorded haphazardly over a long period). Interestingly, the UK version of the album has a more soulful feel, whereas the U.S. version, which included two songs from Help!, has a more folk-rock vibe (similar to Bob Dylan and The Byrds). As we go through the album, we'll discuss more about it. 

The first song, "Drive My Car", opens with some blasting guitar notes and tells the story of a girl who's dead-set on getting famous. Richie Unterberger of AllMusic.com praises the subtlety of the song, saying

While initially the song seems like the standard macho boasting of some guy showing off his car, it transpires that actually the girl in the song is leading the narrator on by half-hinting that she'll let him be her chauffeur, and maybe be his lover too. That's a subtle, one might say almost O. Henry-like, slant that was most likely totally beyond the reach of the usual Californian hot-rod act, or most other pop and rock singers for that matter. The most ironic touch, however, was applied when the Beatles merrily sang "beep beep" at the end of the chorus' punch line: a nifty way of making nonsense words compliment the images and the sounds.

I really dig this song; it's got a strong and confident female lead, excellent singing and instrument-playing from the guys, and an overall fun-loving and catchy sound. [You may notice that on the main Wikipedia page for the album, "Drive My Car" is described as a "a satirical piece of sexism". However, I have to disagree that this is sexism at all.] 

Well, that's it for today... Hope you enjoyed the song as much as I did. :) See you tomorrow!

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Heard It Tally: 16
Songs Completed: 85