Rubber Soul was the eleventh album released by the Beatles in the US. It was released three days after the British LP by Capitol Records in both the mono and stereo formats.Rubber Soul thus began a 59 week chart run on Christmas Day. It topped the Billboard Album chart for six weeks starting on 8 January 1966. The album sold 1.2 million copies within nine days of its release, and to date has sold over six million copies in America.
Rubber Soul really opens the flood gates for experimentalism in rock and roll. It is a folk rock album,[1] and also incorporates pop and soul music styles.[3] Among other notable experiments, the sitar makes it’s debut on “Norwegian Wood”. The album was described as a major artistic achievement, attaining widespread critical and commercial success, with reviewers taking note of the Beatles’ developing musical vision.[4]
Notice that it doesn’t have the Beatles name on the cover.
Rubber Soul was successful commercially and critically, and is often cited as one of the greatest albums in music history.[5][6][7][8] In 2012, Rubber Soul was ranked #5 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.[9]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney except where noted.
| Side one | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Lead vocals | Length | |||||||
| 1. | “I’ve Just Seen a Face“ | McCartney | 2:07 | |||||||
| 2. | “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)“ | Lennon | 2:05 | |||||||
| 3. | “You Won’t See Me“ | McCartney | 3:22 | |||||||
| 4. | “Think for Yourself” (Harrison) | Harrison | 2:19 | |||||||
| 5. | “The Word“ | Lennon, McCartney and Harrison | 2:43 | |||||||
| 6. | “Michelle“ | McCartney | 2:42 | |||||||
| Side two | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Lead vocals | Length | |||||||
| 1. | “It’s Only Love“ | Lennon | 1:55 | |||||||
| 2. | “Girl“ | Lennon | 2:33 | |||||||
| 3. | “I’m Looking Through You“ | McCartney | 2:31 | |||||||
| 4. | “In My Life“ | Lennon and McCartney | 2:27 | |||||||
| 5. | “Wait“ | Lennon and McCartney | 2:16 | |||||||
| 6. | “Run for Your Life“ | Lennon | 2:18 | |||||||
Personnel
According to Mark Lewisohn,[41] Ian MacDonald[42] and The Beatles Anthology.[43]
- John Lennon – lead, harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitars, electric piano
- Paul McCartney – lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead, acoustic and bass guitars, piano
- George Harrison – lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead, rhythm, acoustic and bass guitars, sitar on “Norweigan Wood”
- Ringo Starr – drums, tambourine, maracas, cowbell, bells, cymbals, Hammond organ on “I’m Looking Through You”, lead vocals on “What Goes On”
| Released | 3 December 1965 |
|---|---|
| Recorded | 17 June and 12 October, 11 November 1965 at EMI Studios, London |
| Genre | Folk rock[1] |
| Length | 35:50 |
| Language | English, French |
| Label | Parlophone (UK), Capitol (US) |
| Producer | George Martin |
Ted's Music Studio 