Forum Home Forum Home > Other music related lounges > Proto-Prog and Prog-Related Lounge
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - The Beatles Eleanor Rigby/She's Leaving Home
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedThe Beatles Eleanor Rigby/She's Leaving Home

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
NYSPORTSFAN View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: January 07 2012
Status: Offline
Points: 64
Direct Link To This Post Topic: The Beatles Eleanor Rigby/She's Leaving Home
    Posted: February 10 2016 at 12:05

One of the more interesting approaches in style in music and instrumentation well to me was Eleanor Rigby/''She's Leaving Home.

 

The dark lyrical themes, chamber style orchestration, lack of rock instruments with just vocal backings is almost entirely different genre of music in my opinion.

 

Any thoughts.

Back to Top
chopper View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: July 13 2005
Location: Essex, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 19942
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2016 at 12:14
Love both songs but I just about prefer "She's Leaving Home" melodically and lyrically.

SLH wasn't scored by George Martin, he was busy recording with Cilla Black when McCartney phoned him. McCartney didn't want to wait so he called in Mike Leander to do it instead (and he later found fame with G*ry Gl*tt*r).
Back to Top
The.Crimson.King View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 29 2013
Location: WA
Status: Offline
Points: 4591
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2016 at 12:38
Rigby came first so was a revolutionary approach for a "pop" single, but I much prefer She's Leaving Home.  More intricate musically and more emotional lyrically.  Makes me happy for the girl to "leave home" and start a new life but also sad at the same time for the parents who are convinced they somehow drove her away and are desperate to understand what they did wrong.  One of The Beatles most successful marriages of music and lyrics.  If written 100 years earlier it would probably be considered a tone poem composition masterpiece Wink

Edited by The.Crimson.King - February 10 2016 at 12:41
Back to Top
Atavachron View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: September 30 2006
Location: Pearland
Status: Offline
Points: 64238
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2016 at 14:34
She's Leaving Home is a real accomplishment but for pure songsmithing as well as musical and cultural impact, it's Rigby.   Who'd have thunk a rock 'n roll band in '66 could've pulled off a no-rock-instrumentation arrangement and still make it rock?

One of the most important pop recordings ever.


"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy
Back to Top
emigre80 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 25 2015
Location: kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 2223
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2016 at 14:58
I find both songs very dull, both musically and lyrically.
Back to Top
Guldbamsen View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Retired Admin

Joined: January 22 2009
Location: Magic Theatre
Status: Offline
Points: 23098
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2016 at 15:34
Originally posted by emigre80 emigre80 wrote:


I find both songs very dull, both musically and lyrically.


I feel the same.
Nahh 'A day in the life' is where it's at...Pepperwise.

“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

- Douglas Adams
Back to Top
emigre80 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 25 2015
Location: kentucky
Status: Offline
Points: 2223
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2016 at 17:28
Originally posted by Guldbamsen Guldbamsen wrote:

Originally posted by emigre80 emigre80 wrote:


I find both songs very dull, both musically and lyrically.


I feel the same.
Nahh 'A day in the life' is where it's at...Pepperwise.

 
Yeah, A Day in the Life is the best song on SP and the best Beatles' song all round. Unless you want to count the second side of Abbey Road as one extended song, in which case ADITL would have some serious competition.
Back to Top
TheLionOfPrague View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 08 2011
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 1048
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 10 2016 at 19:38
Both are beautiful songs. Can't pick one.
I shook my head and smiled a whisper knowing all about the place
Back to Top
Intruder View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: May 13 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 2065
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2016 at 07:14
Elanor is a true "pop" song in the sense that it has been covered by diverse artists from Sinatra to Harvey Mandel; SLH is a great topical song - it hit home as a lot of young people at the time were doing just as the title implies - leaving but not on the same paths as their parents and grandparents before them.  Exciting, heady times for sure.
I like to feel the suspense when you're certain you know I am there.....
Back to Top
DDPascalDD View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 856
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2016 at 07:59
I much prefer the sound and ambience of Eleanor Rigby. Also it sounds much more fun if you cover it. 
Rigby feels more progressive and contains much more tension IMO.
Back to Top
Tom Ozric View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
Status: Offline
Points: 15916
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2016 at 15:48
The Aussie band Zoot did a really good hard-rock cover of Eleanor Rigby.
I've never liked the whiney, orchestral SLH. That track alone stops Sgt. Pepper's from the 5th star for me.
Back to Top
Dayvenkirq View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 25 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 10970
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2016 at 16:48
Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

She's Leaving Home is a real accomplishment but for pure songsmithing as well as musical and cultural impact, it's Rigby.   Who'd have thunk a rock 'n roll band in '66 could've pulled off a no-rock-instrumentation arrangement and still make it rock?

One of the most important pop recordings ever.


"Eleanor Rigby" does not  sound like rock to me. On any level, by any means.

Personally, I prefer the calm pacing of the stringwork in "SLH" over the anxious pacing on "Eleanor Rigby". Probably because I prefer a more laid-back vibe.


Edited by Dayvenkirq - February 19 2016 at 16:51
Back to Top
DDPascalDD View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 06 2015
Location: The Netherlands
Status: Offline
Points: 856
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2016 at 17:01
Yeah this might be too different though and therefore too subjective.
Back to Top
The Dark Elf View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: February 01 2011
Location: Michigan
Status: Offline
Points: 12609
Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2016 at 17:29
Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

She's Leaving Home is a real accomplishment but for pure songsmithing as well as musical and cultural impact, it's Rigby.   Who'd have thunk a rock 'n roll band in '66 could've pulled off a no-rock-instrumentation arrangement and still make it rock?

One of the most important pop recordings ever.
Splendid post.
...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined
to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.845 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.