728 – The Beatles – Julia (1968)

Escrita por John Lennon mas creditada à dupla Lennon/McCartney, foi gravada em 13 de outubro de 1968 e lançada em 22 de novembro de 1968 no Album Branco. John Lennon gravou sozinho a canção. A canção foi em homenagem à mãe de John, Julia Lennon, que morreu aos 44 anos de idade, em 1958, atropelada.

John toca violão e canta. Foi escrita na Índia. Essa foi a única vez na história que John tocou sozinho num disco dos Beatles. Julia foi atropelada por um policial bêbado, de folga. Ela havia encorajado John na música e comprou pra ele seu primeiro violão. Quando ela se separou do pai de John, John foi morar com a tia Mimi e Julia começou outra família com outro homem.

Apesar dela morar perto dele, nunca havia passado muitos momentos com ele por muitos anos. O relacionamento deles começou a melhorar quando ele estava se tornando um adolescente. A meia irmã dele, disse que John se dava bem com o pai dela e quando John ia pra casa deles, ele ficava ouvindo discos com a mãe e com a irmã.

Ela era fã de Elvis e os dois viviam cantando Heartbreak Hotel e outras músicas. E ela insistia com ele pra tocar as músicas até acertar. John tocou violão acústico e violão clássico na gravação.

Julia foi regravada Sean Lennon e Kurt Cobain, entre outros. Julia era a música favorita dos Beatles de Kurt Cobain.

A letra:

Half of what I say is meaningless
But I say it just to reach you, Julia

Julia, Julia, oceanchild, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia

Her hair of floating sky is shimmering, glimmering
In the sun

Julia, Julia, morning moon, touch me
So I sing a song of love, Julia

When I cannot sing my heart
I can only speak my mind, Julia

Julia, sleeping sand, silent cloud, touch me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
Hum hum hum hum... calls me
So I sing a song of love for Julia, Julia, Julia

A versão de Sean Lennon:

A versão de Hugh Coltman:

A versão de Elisabetta Padrin e Gaetano Lo Presti:

727 – The Guess Who – These eyes (1968)

Escrita por Randy Bachman e Burton Cummings, foi gravada em setembro de 1968 e lançada em dezembro de 1968 num compacto que tinha Lightfoot como Lado B. Chegou ao número 7 no Canadá e ao número 6 nos Estados Unidos, vendendo mais de um milhão de cópias.

Burton Cummings cantou e tocou teclado. Randy Bachman tocou guitarra. Jim Kale tocou baixo e Garry Peterson tocou bateria.

Foi regravada por Alton Ellis e Michael Bolton, entre outros.

A letra:

These eyes cry every night for you
These arms long to hold you again
The hurtin's on me, yeah
But I will never be free, no, my baby, no, no
You gave a promise to me, yeah
And you broke it, you broke it, oh, no

These eyes watched you bring my world to an end
This heart could not accept and pretend
The hurtin's on me, yeah
But I will never be free, no, no, no
You took the vow with me, yeah
And you spoke it, you spoke it, babe

These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you

These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you

These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you

These eyes cry every night for you
These arms, these arms long to hold you, hold you again, ahh

These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you

These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you

These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you

These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you
Baby, baby, baby, baby

A versão do Guess Who:

A versão de Natalie Cole:

A versão de Alton Ellis:

726 – Dusty Springfield – Son of a preacher man (1968)

Escrita por John Hurley e Ronnie Wilkins, foi gravada em setembro de 1968 e lançada em 8 de novembro de 1968 no compacto que tinha Just a little lovin' como Lado B.

Chegou ao número 10 nos Estados Unidos e número 9 no Reino Unido. Foi feita no Alabama para Aretha Franklin, que chegou a gravar, mas o produtor Jerry Wexler pensou que não combinava com as outras músicas do disco dela e pediu pra Dusty gravar. O pai de Aretha Franklin era pastor, por isso a história com o pastor.

Mas Erna, irmã de Aretha, gravou também uma versão, lançada em 1970.

A versão de Dusty é a número 240 da lista das 500 maiores canções de todos os tempos da revista Rolling Stone.

Foi regravada também por Nancy Sinatra, Skeeter Davis, Bobbie Gentry, Liza Minnelli, Tina Turner, Phoebe Cates, Jessica Simpson, Dolly Parton, entre outras mulheres.

A letra:

Billy-Ray was a preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered round and started talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
A-through the backyard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows to my surprise

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was
Ooh, yes he was

Being good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd come and tell me everything is all right
He'd kiss and tell me everything is all right
Can I get away again tonight?

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was
(Ooh...) Lord knows he was
Yes he was

How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Takin' time to make time
Tellin' me that he's all mine
Learnin' from each other's knowing
Lookin' to see how much we've grown

And the only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was
Ooh, yes he was

The only one who could ever reach me
He was the sweet-talking son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
I kissed the son of a preacher man
The only one who could ever move me
The sweet-lovin' son of a preacher man
The only one who could ever groove me
Ahh, ooh, ahh....

A fantástica versão de Dusty Springfield:

A versão de Joss Stone:

A versão de Sarah Connor:

725 – The Beatles – Rocky Raccoon (1968)

Escrita por Paul McCartney mas creditada à dupla Lennon/McCartney, foi gravada em 15 de agosto de 1968 e lançada no Album Branco, em 22 de novembro de 1968. George Martin tocou o piano no estilo honky-tonk velho oeste. Foi a última canção dos Beatles que John tocou gaita.

A letra fala de um triangulo amoroso. Rocky, Magill e Dan. Dan toma Magill de Rocky que jura vingança. Em vez de matar Dan, Dan atira em Rocky.

Paul cantou e tocou violão. John fez backing vocals, tocou orgão, baixo de seis cordas e gaita. George Harrison fez backing vocals. Ringo tocou abateria e George Martin tocou honky-tonk piano.

Foi regravada por Richie Havens, Jack Johnson, James Blunt, Jimmy Buffett, Crowded House, Jason Mraz, entre outros.

A letra:

Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota
There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon
And one day his woman ran off with another guy
Hit young Rocky in the eye Rocky didn't like that
He said I'm gonna get that boy
So one day he walked into town
Booked himself a room in the local saloon

Rocky Raccoon checked into his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
Rocky had come equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival
His rival it seems had broken his dreams
By stealing the girl of his fancy
Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil
But everyone knew her as Nancy
Now she and her man who called himself Dan
Were in the next room at the hoe down
Rocky burst in and grinning a grin
He said Danny boy this is a showdown
But Daniel was hot, he drew first and shot
And Rocky collapsed in the corner, ah

D'da d'da d'da da da da
D'da d'da d'da da da da
D'da d'da d'da da d'da d'da d'da d'da
Do do do do do do

D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do d'do d'do d'do d'do
Do do do do do do

Now the doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said Rocky you met your match
And Rocky said, doc it's only a scratch
And I'll be better I'll be better doc as soon as I am able

And now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt
To help with good Rocky's revival, ah
Oh yeah, yeah

D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do do
D'do d'do d'do do do d'do d'do d'do d'do
Do do do do do do

D'do d'do d'do do do do, come on, Rocky boy
D'do d'do d'do do do do, come on, Rocky boy
D'do d'do d'do do do d'do d'do d'do d'do
The story of Rocky there

A versão de Jack Johnson e Zach Gill:

A versão de Benjamin True:

A versão dos Meadows Brothers:

724 – The Zombies – Time of the season (1968)

Escrita por Rod Argent, foi gravada em agosto de 1967 e lançada em março de 1968 no compacto que tinha I'll call you mine como Lado B. Chegou ao número 3 nos Estados Unidos e número 1 no Canadá. Também chegou ao número 2 na África do Sul.

A canção se destava bem pelos vocais do cantor Colin Blunstone, pelo riff de baixo e pela improvisação psicodélica de Rod Argent. Também é conhecida pelo estilo de call-and-response de alguns versos.

Foi regravada pelo próprio Rod Argent, The Guess Who, Dave Matthews Band, America, entre outros.

A letra:

It's the time of the season
When love runs high
In this time, give it to me easy
And let me try with pleasured hands

(To take you in the sun to) Promised lands
(To show you every one)
It's the time of the season for loving

What's your name? (What's your name?)
Who's your daddy? (Who's your daddy?)
(He rich) Is he rich like me?
Has he taken (Has he taken)
Any time (Any time)
(To show) To show you what you need to live?

(Tell it to me slowly) Tell you what
(I really want to know)
It's the time of the season for loving

What's your name? (What's your name?)
Who's your daddy? (Who's your daddy?)
(He rich) Is he rich like me?
Has he taken (Has he taken)
Any time (Any time)
(To show) To show you what you need to live?

(Tell it to me slowly) Tell you what
(I really want to know)
It's the time of the season for loving

A versão dos Zombies ao vivo em 2011:

A versão de Dave Matthews Band ao vivo:

A versão de Guess Who:

0061 – Beside you - Van Morrison (1968)

Escrita por Van Morrison, foi gravada em 25 de setembro de 1968, no Century Sound Studios, em New York City. Foi lançada em novembro de 1968 no disco Astral Weeks.O produtor foi Lewis Merenstein. Van cantou e tocou violão. Jay Berliner tocou violão clássico. Richard Davis tocou contrabaixo. Warren Smith Jr. tocou vibraphone.

Little Jimmy's gone a way out of the backstreet
Out of the window through the fallin' rain
Right on time, right on time

That's why Broken Arrow

Waved his finger down the road so dark and narrow
In the evenin' just before the Sunday six-bells chime,

Six-bells chime and all the dogs are barkin'

Way on down the diamond-studded highway where you wander
And you roam from your retreat and view
Way over on the railroad
Tomorrow all the tippin' trucks will unload together
Every scrapbook stuck will glue
And I'll stand beside you
Beside you oh child
To never never never wonder why at all

No no no no no no no no
To never never wonder why at all
To never never never wonder why it's gotta be

It has to be

Way across the country where the hillside mountain glide
The dynamo of your smile caressed the barefoot virgin child to wander
Past your window with a lantern lit

You held it in the doorway and you cast against the pointed island breeze
Said your time was open, go well on your merry way
Past the brazen footsteps of the silence easy
You breathe in you breathe out you breathe in you breathe out you breath in
You breathe out you breathe in you breathe out
And you're high on your high-flyin' cloud
Wrapped up in your magic shroud as ecstasy surrounds you
This time it's found you

You turn around you turn around you turn around you turn around
And I'm beside you
Beside you

Oh darlin'
To never never wonder why at all
No no no no no

To never never never wonder why at all
To never never never wonder why it's gotta be
It has to be and I'm beside you
Beside you Oh child
To never never wonder why at all
I'm beside you, Beside you
Beside you, Beside you Oh child

 

A versão de Van Morrison:

 

A versão de Luke-De-Sciscio:

A versão de Van Morrison ao vivo em 2008:

722 – The Beatles – I'm so tired (1968)

Escrita por John Lennon, mas creditada à dupla Lennon/McCartney, foi gravada em 8 de outubro de 1968 e lançada em 22 de novembro de 1968 no Album Branco.

John escreveu-a num campo de meditação transcendental, quando ele não conseguia dormir. Depois de três semanas de meditação e palestras, John começou a sentir saudade de Yoko, que havia começado um relacionamento. E também estava tendo uma insonia violenta. Essa canção relata a fragilidade do estado mental de John nessa época. John disse que essa canção era uma carta aberta à Yoko e que ele gostava demais da canção e como a cantou. O tema insonia complementa I'm only sleeping, do disco Revolver.

John tocou violão, guitarra solo, orgao e cantou. Paul tocou baixo, piano elétrico e fez backing vocal.

George Harrison tocou guitarra solo e Ringo tocou bateria. 

Foi regravada por Silverchair, entre outros artistas.  

A letra:

I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink
I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink
I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink
No, no, no

I'm so tired I don't know what to do
I'm so tired my mind is set on you
I wonder should I call you but I know what you would do

You'd say I'm putting you on
But it's no joke, it's doing me harm
You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain
You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane
You know I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind

I'm so tired, I'm feeling so upset
Although I'm so tired I'll have another cigarette
And curse Sir Walter Raleigh
He was such a stupid git

You'd say I'm putting you on
But it's no joke, it's doing me harm
You know I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain
You know it's three weeks, I'm going insane
You know I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind
I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind
I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind

(Monsieur, Monsieur, Monsieur, how about another one?)

A versão demo dos Beatles:

A versão de Elliot Smith:

A versão de Nando Reis:

721 – The Band – Tears of rage (1968)

Escrita por Bob Dylan e Richard Manuel, foi gravada em 1967 e lançada em 1968, como música de abertura do disco de estréia da Band, chamado Music from Big Pink. Manuel fez os vocais principais. Levon Helm disse que foi uma das melhores performances de Manuel em toda a vida dele.

A canção é inspirada na tragédia de Shakespeare King Lear. Destruído por amargura e arrependimento, o narrador pensa nas promessas quebradas e verdades ignoradas, e como ambição envenenou o poço das boas intenções e como as filhas podem negar os desejos dos seus pais.

Um forte tema biblíco corre por toda a canção. O tema de a vida ser breve, que é forte no Velho Testamento. Como pai, Dylan compreende que não há coração mais partido do que o coração de um pai. A canção fala sobre os laços familiares.

Richard Manuel cantou e tocou piano acústico. Rick Danko tocou baixo e fez backing vocals. Levon Helm tocu bateria. Garth Hudson tocou orgao e saxofone soprano. Robbie Robertson tocou guitarra e John Simon tocou pandeiro e corneta barítono.

Foi regravada por Jimi Hendrix, Gene Clark, Jerry Garcia, Albert Lee, Joan Baez, entre outros artistas.

A letra:

We carried you in our arms on Independence Day
And now you'd throw us all aside and put us all away
Oh, what dear daughter 'neath the sun could treat a father so?
To wait upon him hand and foot and always tell him "No"

Tears of rage, tears of grief
Why must I always be the thief?
Come to me now, you know we're so alone
And life is brief

It was all very painless
When you went out to receive
All that false instruction
Which we never could believe
And now the heart is filled with gold
As if it was a purse
But, oh, what kind of love is this
Which goes from bad to worse?

Tears of rage, tears of grief
Why must I always be the thief?
Come to me now, you know we're so alone
And life is brief

We pointed you the way to go
And scratched your name in sand
Though you just thought it was nothing more
Than a place for you to stand
I want you to know that while we watched
You discovered no one would be true
That I myself was among
The ones who thought
It was just a childish thing to do

Tears of rage, tears of grief
Why must I always be the thief?
Come to me now, you know we're so alone
And life is brief

A versão da Band:

A versão de Ray LaMontagne e John Mayer:

A versão de Joan Baez Acapella:

720 – B.B. King – Paying the cost to be the boss (1968)

Escrita por B.B. King, foi lançada no décimo quarto disco de sua carreira, chamado Blues on top of blues, em 1968. Paying the cost to be the boss é a música número 8.

Nesse clássico, B.B. Fala dos direitos e responsabilidades de um casal, no seu ponto de vista. Ele alega que uma vez que está pagando as contas da casa, a esposa faz o que ele quer, pois ele é o chefe. Bebe se quiser, joga poker se quiser, que ela não tem direito de dizer nada. Ele alega estar trabalhando e tomando conta dela, então não o perturbe.

A letra:

You act like you don't want to listen
When I'm talking to you
You think you outta do baby
Anything you wanna do
You must be crazy baby
You just gotta be outta your mind
As long as I'm payin' the bills woman
I'm payin' the cost to be the boss

I'll drink if I want to
And play a little poker too
Don't you say nothing to me
As long as I'm taking care of you
As long as I'm workin baby
And payin' all the bills
I don't want no mouth from you
About the way I'm supposed to live
You must be crazy woman
Just gotta be outta your mind
As long as I foot the bills
I'm payin' the cost to be the boss

Now that you got me
You act like you ashamed
You don't act like my woman
You just usin' my name
I tell you I'm gonna have all the money
And I don't want no back-talk
Cause if you don't like the way I'm doin'
Just pick up your things and walk
You gotta be crazy baby
You must be outta your mind
As long as I'm payin' the bills woman
I'm payin' the cost to be the boss

A versão de BB King ao vivo em 2007, com alguns amigos:

A versão de Pat Benatar:

A versão de BB King com os Rolling Stones:

0046 –Back in the U.S.S.R. - The Beatles (1968)

Compositores: John Lennon e Paul McCartney

• Foi gravada em 22 e 23 de agosto de 1968, nos estúdios da EMI, em Londres. Foi lançada em 22 de novembro no White Album. Na verdade, ela abre o disco.

• Foi escrita em forma de paródia à Back In the U.S.A., de Chuck Berry e California girls, dos Beach Boys.

• Ringo brigou com o grupo e saiu sem participar dessa gravação. Paul cantou, fez backing vocals, tocou piano, baixo, bateria, guitarra solo, percussão e ateu palmas. John fez backing vocals, tocou guitarra base, tocou baixo, bateu palmas, tocou bateria e percussão. George Harrison fez backing vocals, tocou guitarra base e solo, tocou baixo, bateria, bateu palmas e percussão.

• Foi regravada por Chubby Checker, Dead Kennedys, Elton John e Lemmy, entre outros artistas.

A letra:

Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC
Didn't get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful flight
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR, yeah

Been away so long I early knew the place
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind
Oh, come on
Hu hey hu, hey, ah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm back in the USSR
You don't know how lucky you are, boys
Back in the USSR

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the west behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind

Oh, show me round your snow peaked
Mountain way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your balalaika's ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I'm back in the USSR
Hey, you don't know how lucky you are, boy
Back in the USSR
Oh, let me tell you, honey

 

A versão de Paul McCartney na Rússia ao vivo em 2003:

A versão de Billy Joel ao vivo em 1987:

A versão de Chubby Checker:

0058 – A beautiful morning - The Rascals (1968)

Compositores: Felix Cavaliere e Eddie Brigati

• Foi lançada em 1 de março de 1968 no compacto que tinha Rainy day como Lado B.

• Chegou ao número 1 no Canadá e número 3 no Billboard Hot 100.

• Foi escrita em uma manhã em Honolulu, Hawaii.

• Atingiu um milhão de cópias vendidas em 28 de junho de 1968.

A letra:

It's a beautiful mornin'
I think I'll go outside a while,
An just smile.
Just take in some clean fresh air, boy
Ain't no sense in stayin' inside
If the weather's fine and you got the time.
It's your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day.
Either way,
It's a beautiful mornin'
Each bird keeps singin' his own song.
So long
I've got to be on my way, now.
Ain't no fun just hangin' around,
I've got to cover ground, you couldn't keep me down.
It just ain't no good if the sun shines
When you're still inside,
Shouldn't hide, still inside, shouldn't hide,

There will be children with robins and flowers;
Sunshine caresses each new waking hour.
Seems to me that the people keep seeing
More and more each day, gotta say, lead the way,
It's okay, wednesday, thursday, it's okay,
Monday, wednesday, friday, weekday

 

A versão dos Rascals:

A versão de Cory Bedell:

A versão de Jeff McNeal:

717 – Marvin Gaye – I heard it through the grapevine (1968)

Escrita por Barret Strong e Norman Whitfield, foi gravada por Marvin Gaye em fevereiro e abril de 1967 e lançada em outubro de 1968 no compacto que tinha You are what's happening como Lado B. Foi primeiramente gravada por Gladys Knight and The Pips, mas a cravada mesmo da canção foi a que escolhemos, com o grande Marvin Gaye. Foi regravada também pelos Miracles em 1968.

A versão de Marvin Gaye no entanto, ficou sete semanas no topo dos charts pop americanos. É a música número 81 das 500 maiores canções de todos os tempos da revista Rolling Stone. Ganhou um Grammy também.

Foi também regravada pelo Creedence Clearwater Revival.

A letra fala a história em primeira pessoa do sentimento de ter sido traído do cantor, dizendo que ouviu falar da infidelidade through the grapevine.

A idéia veio a Barrett Strong enquanto ela andava na Michigan Avenue, em Chicago e ouvia as pessoas falando essa frase sem parar. A frase é associada com os escravos negros durante a guerra civil americana. O grapevine era o telegrama deles.

A letra:

I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
'Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I loved you more
It took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh I'm just about to lose my mind

Honey, honey yeah.
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine baby

I know a man ain't supposed to cry
But these tears I can't hold inside
Losin' you would end my life you see
'Cause you mean that much to me
You could have told me yourself
That you loved someone else
Instead I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I'm just about to lose my mind

Honey, honey yeah
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine, baby

People say believe half of what you see
Son and none of what you hear
But I can't help but be confused
If it's true please tell me dear
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?

Don't you know I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
I heard it through the grapevine
I'm just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
I heard it through the grapevine,
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah

Honey, honey, yeah
I heard it through the grapevine,
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah yeah
I heard it through the grapevine,
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah yeah

A versão de Marvin Gaye ao vivo:

A versão de Gladys Knight and The Pips:

A versão do Creedence Clearwater Revival:

716 – The Beatles – Ob-la-di, ob-la-da (1968)

Escrita por Paul McCartney mas creditada à dupla Lennon/McCartney, foi gravada enre 8 e 15 de julho de 1968 e lançada no disco Album Branco, em 22 de novembro de 1968.

Foi escrita no período em que o Reggae estava ficando popular no Reino Unido. A frase que começa dizendo Desmond has a barrow in the market place fazia referencia ao artista de reggae e ska jamaicano Desmond Dekker. A frase ob-la-di, ob-la-da life goes on, brah era uma expressão usada por um tocador de conga nigeriano chamado Jimmy Scott-Emuakpor, um conhecido de Paul.

Quando voltaram da Índia, se reuniram na casa de George pra gravar demos pro disco Album Branco. Essa foi uma das 27 demos gravadas ali. John Lennon e George Harrison odiaram a música. Mas numa volta ao estúdio cheio de maconha na cabeça, John tocou no piano a introdução, mais rápida e mais alta do que estava usando e disse, a canção tem que ser gravada assim. E assim ficou, Paul aceitou.

Paul cantou, tocou baixo elétrico, baixo acústico, bateu palmas e fez percussão vocal. John tocou piano, fez backing vocal, bateu palmas, falou e fez percussão vocal. George Harrison tocou violão, fez backing vocal, bateu palmas, falou e fez percussão vocal. Ringo tocou bateria, bongôs, maraca, bateu palmas e fez percussão vocal.

Foi regravada por Jimmy Cliff, No Doubt, Youssou N'Dour, Pato Fu, Desmond Dekker, Inner Circle, entre outras coisas.

A letra:

Desmond has a barrow in the market place
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly "girl I like your face"
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand

Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on

Desmond takes a trolley to the jeweller's stores
Buys a twenty carat golden ring (Golden ring?)
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing (Sing)

Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on, yeah (No)

In a couple of years they have built
A home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones
(Ah ha ha ha ha ha)

Happy ever after in the market place
Desmond lets the children lend a hand (Arm! Leg!)
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening she still sings it with the band

Yes, ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on (Ha ha ha)
Hey, ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on

In a couple of years they have built
A home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones
(Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)

Yeah, happy ever after in the market place
Molly lets the children lend a hand (Foot!)
Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face
And in the evening she's a singer with the band

Yeah, ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on
Yeah, ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La-la how the life goes on

And if you want some fun
Take ob-la-di ob-la-da

(Thank you, uh, ha ha ha!)

A versão de Paul McCartney no Brasil:

A versão de No Doubt:

A versão de Julie Berthelsen:

715 – Etta James – I'd rather go blind (1968)

Escrita por Ellington Jordan e Billy Fosters, foi gravada por Etta James em 1967 e lançada em 1968 no compacto que tinha Tell Mama no Lado A.

Ela ouviu um pedaço da canção do amigo Ellington quando ela o visitou na prisão. Ela então escreveu o resto da canção com ele e deu os créditos pro marido dela, por questão de impostos, Billy Foster.

Chegou ao número 5 dos charts de R&B e número 23 dos charts pop americanos.

Foi regravada por Rod Stewart, B.B. King, Beyoncé Knowles, Mich Hucknail, entre outros.

A letra:

Something told me it was over
When I saw you and her talking
Something deep down in my soul said, 'Cry, girl.'
When I saw you and that girl walkin' out

Whoo, I would rather, I would rather go blind, boy,
Than to see you walk away from me, child, no

Whoo, so you see, I love you so much
That I don't wanna watch you leave me, baby
Most of all, I just don't, I just don't wanna be free, no

Whoo, whoo, I was just, I was just, I was just
Sitting here thinkin' of your kiss and your warm embrace, yeah
When the reflection in the glass that I held to my lips now, baby,
Revealed the tears that was on my face, yeah

Whoo, and baby, baby, I'd rather, I'd rather be blind, boy
Than to see you walk away, see you walk away from me, yeah
Whoo, baby, baby, baby, I'd rather be blind boy
[Fade out:] Baby, baby, baby...

A versão de Etta James:

A versão de Rod Stewart:

A versão de Beth Hart e Jeff Beck:

714 – The Beach Boys – Little bird (1968)

Escrita por Dennis Wilson e Stephen Kalinich, foi gravda em 29 de fevereiro de 1968 no estúdios que Brian Wilson tinha na sua casa. Foi lançada em 8 de abril de 1968 num compacto que tinha Friends como Lado A. Chegou ao número 47 nos Estados Unidos e 25 no Reino Unido.

Foi regravada por Norah Jones, entre outros.

A letra:

Little bird up in a tree
Looked down and sang a song to me
Of how it began

Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na

The trout in the shiny brook
Gave the worm another look
And told me not to worry
About my life

Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na

Tree in my own backyard
Stands all alone
Bears fruit for me
And it tastes so good

Where's my pretty bird
He must have flown away
If I keep singing
He'll come back someday

Dawn, bird's still gone
Guess I'll go mow the lawn

What a day, what a day
Oooo, what a beautiful day this is

Ooooooooo

Little bird up in a tree
Looked down a sang a song to me

The trout in a shiny brook
Gave the worm another look
And told me not to worry about my life

Little bird looked down
And sang a song to me
Little bird looked down
And sang a songto me
Little bird looked down
And sang a song to me

A versão dos Beach Boys:

A versão de Shiny Brook Band:

A versão de Of Montreal: