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[Normandie]

I just read in a casual Beatles article, the URL to which I did not save, that "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is considered by some fans to be, in effect, the song that ended the Beatles. I'm pretty sure most of us here would agree that the band's breakup cannot be laid at the feet of just one song, but the basic point was that John, George, and Ringo detested the song and the recording of it.

I always assumed this dubious honor—that is, the song the other 3 Beatles loathed the most—could be laid at the feet of "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da." I've read in several books how much the other band members (i.e., besides Paul) hated the song and the multiple attempts to record a version satisfactory to Paul. Did John not storm out in anger at one point and then return to play the piano intro that ended up being used on the recorded White Album version?

Anyone have an opinion on which song was hated more by John, Paul, and Ringo? I actually happen to like both songs, but I can see where Paul's perfectionism would start to drive one batty after awhile, but then, I'm not a musician.

[Moogmodule]

I’m trying to remember where I saw it but I think George later said he liked MSH, at least the rather morbid lyric. John on the other hand was nothing but disparaging about it.

Is Ringo on record disliking any Beatle song? He might have been but I can’t recall seeing it. 

[Normandie]

Is Ringo on record disliking any Beatle song? He might have been but I can’t recall seeing it.

That's a good point. I don't believe he is; at least, not that I've seen. I should have worded my post more carefully. 

[Hello Goodbye]

I’m trying to remember where I saw it but I think George later said he liked MSH, at least the rather morbid lyric. John on the other hand was nothing but disparaging about it.

Well, at least John had fun with the song in the studio...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKHbKAt4pI0" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKHbKAt4pI0</a>

 

[Normandie]

^^^^^

 

[Hello Goodbye]

^

 


And they all had fun with Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St0HYTzhkxI" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St0HYTzhkxI</a>

 

[Moogmodule]

That’s the trouble. How much of this dislike is after the fact grumpiness. I don’t doubt Paul was probably a bit irritating with his hard work on light songs like these, but whether it was more than just normal workplace interactions that every band/team/whatever has is hard to know. Paul worked hard on all songs it seems.

[zipp]

I think this article describing the mysterious 'some fans' should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

The other Beatles had to put up with Lennon and Yoko's antics in the studio in 68. When it came to Revolution 9 they left the country and just let the two of them get on with it.

The Beatles nevertheless let Lennon put this garbage on the album.

In January 69 they did almost as many takes of Lennon's dire Dig a Pony as the excellent Get Back. But they still did it because Lennon wasn't capable of anything better at the time.

And they put it on the album and didn't complain.

So how come no one suggests Lennon could be a pain in the studio?

[Moogmodule]

And let’s not forget 100 plus takes of Not Guilty. Which then didn’t even make the cut.

[nimrod]

I thought each Beatle had the right to veto any song ?

[Normandie]

I thought each Beatle had the right to veto any song ?

You know, I remember reading that somewhere. But if that were the case then I'm amazed at the other Beatles' restraint when presented with Revolution 9. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall of the studio that night. I imagine the looks on their faces were priceless.

[Moogmodule]

I thought each Beatle had the right to veto any song ?

Perhaps they’d reached peak passive-aggression where they didn’t want to veto a song anymore, just whinge about it later.

[nimrod]

You know, I remember reading that somewhere. But if that were the case then I'm amazed at the other Beatles' restraint when presented with Revolution 9. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall of the studio that night. I imagine the looks on their faces were priceless.

Paul even says it on a you tube video

[Bulldog]

Don't dislike either. But don't seek them out.

Ob la di Ob la da was covered by Marmalade & reached number 1. So a radio friendly song. This & 'Yello Submarine' were the first Beatles songs I got to know, in the 70's.

Believe Paul wanted MSH as a single. Don't believe John played on the song. To me it's a harmless album track a bit out of it's depth alongside the Abbey Road monsters.   

[Bulldog]

There are worse Beatle songs - Honey Pie, Goodnight, Bungolow Bill, Revolution 9.

Ob la di ob la da is a universal Beatles song.

[tkitna]

Not sure which one the other Beatles disliked more, but I dont like either one either.

[blmeanie]

I like both.

As Bulldog said above, there are many lesser songs in the catalog

[Moogmodule]

I don’t mind them. They’re not the highest example of Beatle art. But they’re jaunty enough numbers. I’d rate Obla di above Maxwell for its folky singability. And to be fair, it was a hit for Marmalade. Maxwells lyrics are just so twisted when you think about them that it’s hard not to pay it some attention though.

[nimrod]

They're both great melodies, hard to create memorable stuff like this
Masterful songwriting imo

[Hello Goodbye]

They're both great melodies, hard to create memorable stuff like this
Masterful songwriting imo

I agree.