Picking my favorite Beatles album is a difficult choice. All of the albums, in my opinion, are excellent and amazing in their own way. Although I think of many of the albums equally and ranking them would be difficult, one of them that particularly stands out to me is Magical Mystery Tour. It’s fascinating, unique, and unnerving, and I enjoy all of the songs on the album.
Magical Mystery Tour was released in 1967, sandwiched between Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The White Album. It includes the soundtrack to their film, Magical Mystery Tour. I have not seen this film, but I have heard about its negative reception. The album was a great success, though. It is a crucial piece of the psychedelic genre and music itself. Each song has its own unique traits that I enjoy.
Magical Mystery Tour
The first song on the album is “Magical Mystery Tour” and was written mostly by Paul McCartney. It was written as the opening to the movie and is an excellent opening to the album. It is reminiscent of the opening of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and is upbeat and exciting. It features trumpet fanfare and reminds me of a circus.
The Fool on the Hill
“The Fool on the Hill” features Paul McCartney on piano and vocals. The song is about a solitary figure. He is wise, yet not understood by others. It prominently features an amazing flute part. The song feels mystical, airy, and imaginative.
Flying
“Flying” is an instrumental track credited to all the Beatles. It was created because the Beatles needed an instrumental track for the album. The song simply drones on and feels drifting and atmospheric.
Blue Jay Way
George Harrison wrote this song while waiting for his music publicist. Harrison was staying on the street, Blue Jay Way, in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. This song feels mysterious, eerie, and melancholic.
Your Mother Should Know
This is a McCartney song representing connecting with those of different generations. It is a faster pace than the three previous songs and is reminiscent of older music styles.
I Am the Walrus
“I Am the Walrus” is my second favorite song of this album. I love its absolute nonsensicalness and how this song sounds odd and distorted. It is a song written by John Lennon representing a stream of consciousness. I consider it an important psychedelic masterpiece.
Hello, Goodbye
“Hello, Goodbye” is an upbeat pop song written by Paul McCartney about duality. The song is very catchy, fun, and reminiscent of the Beatles’ previous works.
Strawberry Fields Forever
This album features one of my favorite songs of all time: “Strawberry Fields Forever.” This song, written by John Lennon, is instantly captivating and a psychedelic masterpiece. It’s quieter and slower-paced. For this song, different takes in different keys and tempos were combined for its final version. Most of the song has an underlying tremolo effect. Similar to the other songs, it feels mystical and drifting. I could listen to this song on repeat and never get tired.
Penny Lane
Similar to “Hello, Goodbye,” “Penny Lane” is an upbeat and catchy song written by Paul McCartney. The song is about what Paul recalled from a street in Liverpool, Penny Lane, during his childhood.
Baby, You’re a Rich Man
“Baby, You’re a Rich Man” is a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon about how people don’t need money to be happy. It is a fun and simple song that uses an early version of the synthesizer.
All You Need Is Love
“All You Need Is Love” is a lively song written by John Lennon, about, of course, the importance of love. The lyric “All you need is love” has become an important saying with a huge legacy today. The song was seen by 400 million with a satellite broadcast in 1967.
