The Beatles ‘Rubber Soul’ - Zappa on The Beatles!

Out of all their recordings, ‘Rubber Soul’ was the album where the Beatles became artists in their own right. Before 1965 they released pop songs to please their fans- pop music about holding hands and sharing secrets. All of which made them irresistible to their young girl fans buying the records.

It is thought that a meeting with Bob Dylan in 1964 changed the band’s attitudes. They didn’t want to make music just to sell records, they want to express themselves and have more freedom. It turned out to be pivotal moment for the group.

The Beatles recorded the album in London in October 1965 and it was released in December. They had full commitment to the album over 4 weeks.

The title ‘Rubber Soul’ comes from ‘plastic soul’, which is a term used to describe white musicians playing a traditionally black style of music- essentially “fake” soul music. Paul heard the quote from an American who described Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones as “good, but plastic soul”. 

Paul says that this was “the germ of ‘Rubber Soul’.”

 "I didn't hate them. I actually like two or three of their songs. I just thought they were ridiculous. What was so disgusting was the way they were consumed and merchandised. No music has succeeded in America unless it was accompanied by something to wear, something to dance or a hairdo. A phenomenon is not going to occur unless you can dress up to it.”

 - Frank Zappa on the Beatles

Pot, Kettle, Kettle, Pot?

I find Zappa’s ludicrous pontificating about music the funniest thing. He is SO pompous and dull; notoriously anti drugs (except for his beloved tobacco like Mitchell funded by American Tobacco!) Hence his inability to ‘get’ the Velvets and Andy Warhol and the clashes of culture. 

Just reflect for a moment upon the sheer variety of songwriting and song structures from John, Paul, George and okay a lesser extent Ringo but each song contains worlds within it, tells stories reflecting the human condition. Zappa? Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow? Debra Kadabra? Brown Shoes Don’t Make it? Lumpy Gravy? Lyrically about 9 years old musically derivative and monotonous. Guitar style, one key noodling with endless repetitive riffing. Originalty? I hear next to none unless he brings in other musicians to inspire him and the music hence his ability to ‘understand’ (exploit?) Don Van Vliet, Wild Man Fischer or staple Mothers like Underwood, Carl Black, et al 

Like he is not a product and salesman as much as they were? That is what is “disgusting” Frank!

Crass and ultimate sin? Boring! It’s all just so much wakka jawaka!