Post by Dr Winston on Mar 30, 2004 18:29:38 GMT 1
Anna (Go To Him)
Although it is unlikely to appear on any "Greatest Hits" package, in my opinion it is one of the best covers done by any band at any point, for one reason:
John Lennon's voice
1) The melancholy ache in Lennon's voice almost reaches "Beach Boys" level here as he sings about this girl who he adores more than anyone else in the world but she seems to believe that another "loves her more than me".
2) While this was neither John's debut on record nor his most memorable performance on this particular LP (that honor going to "Twist and Shout") it is the first indication to the listener as to what the amazing capabitlies of John's voice; as during the highpoint of the song he sings "What am I - What Am I supposed to do?" as if pleading with the listener for answers on how to win his love back. Equally amazing is how the track itself ebbs and flows starting off slow almost bluesey then shifting into ballad tempo and Lennon kicks it into high gear during the middle eight ("All of my life"...) its just so beautiful and Arthur Alexander's writing is soo great on this its amazing it wasn't a hit song originally.
Although the song was typical of the period and really broke no new ground (which The Beatles during their 60s tenure broke a lot of) focussing on the same "boy loses girl" storyline the was part of many late 50s-early 60 songs - the writing is such that even though he did not pen it it forbodes the kind of songs Lennon would write (and would become his trademark) - "All I've Got To Do", "If I Fell", "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" and "Love" although all lyrically superior to "Anna" resemble John's taste for this type of "ache" which makes his songwriting resonate so well and so truthfull with listeners. Also in an interview in 1980, John always was embarrassed when he had to cover a black artists' songs because he felt he could never do them justice and always set out to do a "special job" on a Motown song etc. I would have to say The Beatles covered MOTOWN like no other group, really tapping into the harmonies and the strong lead vocals.
A truely classic vocal.
Although it is unlikely to appear on any "Greatest Hits" package, in my opinion it is one of the best covers done by any band at any point, for one reason:
John Lennon's voice
1) The melancholy ache in Lennon's voice almost reaches "Beach Boys" level here as he sings about this girl who he adores more than anyone else in the world but she seems to believe that another "loves her more than me".
2) While this was neither John's debut on record nor his most memorable performance on this particular LP (that honor going to "Twist and Shout") it is the first indication to the listener as to what the amazing capabitlies of John's voice; as during the highpoint of the song he sings "What am I - What Am I supposed to do?" as if pleading with the listener for answers on how to win his love back. Equally amazing is how the track itself ebbs and flows starting off slow almost bluesey then shifting into ballad tempo and Lennon kicks it into high gear during the middle eight ("All of my life"...) its just so beautiful and Arthur Alexander's writing is soo great on this its amazing it wasn't a hit song originally.
Although the song was typical of the period and really broke no new ground (which The Beatles during their 60s tenure broke a lot of) focussing on the same "boy loses girl" storyline the was part of many late 50s-early 60 songs - the writing is such that even though he did not pen it it forbodes the kind of songs Lennon would write (and would become his trademark) - "All I've Got To Do", "If I Fell", "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" and "Love" although all lyrically superior to "Anna" resemble John's taste for this type of "ache" which makes his songwriting resonate so well and so truthfull with listeners. Also in an interview in 1980, John always was embarrassed when he had to cover a black artists' songs because he felt he could never do them justice and always set out to do a "special job" on a Motown song etc. I would have to say The Beatles covered MOTOWN like no other group, really tapping into the harmonies and the strong lead vocals.
A truely classic vocal.
