The Word (song)
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| “The Word” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by The Beatles | ||
| Album | Rubber Soul | |
| Released | 3 December 1965 | |
| Recorded | Abbey Road Studios 10 November 1965 |
|
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 2:41 | |
| Label | EMI, Parlophone, Capitol | |
| Writer | Lennon/McCartney | |
| Producer | George Martin | |
| Rubber Soul track listing | ||
|
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"The Word" is a song by The Beatles first released on their 1965 album Rubber Soul. It is often cited as the first instance in which The Beatles began writing about love in more abstract terms, versus concrete girl/boy terms, a la "She Loves You." In the lyric, "the word is love," and the singer preaches, "Say the word and you'll be free."
Though officially credited to Lennon/McCartney as were all songs by either of the duo, the song is primarily a John Lennon composition and is in fact one of Lennon's first attempts at an anthemic political song, although the politics are obscured by references to love rather than any more overtly political messages. It did, however, point the way to Lennon's later songs espousing the power of love to overcome barriers (such as "All You Need Is Love").
Musically, the song is based upon a driving rhythm with few chord changes and a simple melody in the key of D major.[1][2] Paul McCartney said of this song, "John and I would like to do songs with just one note like 'Long Tall Sally'. We get near it in 'The Word'".[3]
George Martin plays the harmonium solo in the track. McCartney, Lennon, and George Harrison sing the song in three-part harmony, with Lennon singing the middle eights.
Samples from this song are also included on Love released in November 2006, in the track Drive My Car/The Word/What You're Doing.
[edit] Personnel
- John Lennon – vocal, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney – vocal, bass, piano
- George Harrison – vocal, lead guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums, maracas
- George Martin – harmonium
- Credits per Ian MacDonald[4]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Pollack, Alan W (1993). Notes on The Word. Soundscapes. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
- ^ MacDonald (2005), p498.
- ^ Aldridge (1990), p24.
- ^ MacDonald (2005), p178.
[edit] References
- MacDonald, Ian (2005). Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties, Second Revised Edition, London: Pimlico (Rand). ISBN 1-844-13828-3.
- Aldridge, Alan (1990). The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics. Boston: Houghton Mifflin / Seymour Lawrence. ISBN 0-395-59426-X.
