This is a continuation of my “John Vs. Paul” series I’m doing for every Beatles album. So far John Lennon won the battle for Please Please Me, With the Beatles, & A Hard Day’s Night so he’s up 3 to 0.

Beatles For Sale (1964)

Beatles For Sale is often seen as a disappointing album because it followed the songwriting breakthrough that was A Hard Day’s Night. It’s really sandwiched between two superior albums (A Hard Day’s Night & Help!) and I think because of that it’s actually somewhat underrated. I think in comparison with The Beatles first two albums it actually comes out a bit ahead.

Like the first two albums, it has 8 original songs and 6 covers. A Hard Day’s Night had only Lennon/McCartney originals and Help! only had 2 covers.

01. “No Reply” – John

One of my favorite lesser known Beatles songs. I think it’s far superior to the opener of With The Beatles (“It Won’t Be Long.”) Paul sang the higher harmony part because John couldn’t hit those high notes.

02. “I’m a Loser” – John

The Bob Dylan influence is really heard for the first time on a Beatles record. This is another great tune. I really think the originals on this album are quite a bit better than those on With The Beatles, I never understand why people highlight Beatles For Sale as the worst Beatles album when With The Beatles is quite a bit weaker in my opinion.

03. “Baby’s in Black” – John & Paul

This one was co-written and they sang their respective parts into the same microphone. It was in 6/8 time (although it’s slower tempo makes it sound more like 3/4.) It was their first song in 6/8 time. All three of the opening tracks have a sad/somber sound to them. I really like the way this album starts, it has a real feel to it.

04. “Rock and Rock Music” – John

This is a good enough cover (John always did a great job singing these early rock songs) but it definitely destroys any of the “real feel” built up by the first three songs.

05. “I’ll Follow the Sun” – Paul

Now that introspective mood is back. I love the originals on this album. They sound to me like an earlier attempt at doing Rubber Soul type songs. Considering that this song was apparently written way back in 1959, quite an early attempt indeed.

06. “Mr. Moonlight” – John

Cover song sung by John. One of my least favorite Beatles recordings, although that organ solo is pretty cool.

07. “Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey” – Paul

Great vocal by Paul, but at this point the album has completely lost any sense of direction. It’s beginning to sound like just a collection of random covers. Like a recording of a (pretty darn good) bar band.

08. “Eight Days a Week” – John & Paul

John sings the lead vocal which makes me think it was more his composition but this is one that John & Paul apparently wrote together. While The Beatles apparently didn’t think that much of this song themselves (they never performed it live and Lennon once called it “lousy”) it was a huge hit in the US.

09. “Words of Love” – John & Paul

They sang this Buddy Holly cover together. It’s a lovely song and cover and it does fit with the mood/sound of the originals much better than the other covers on this album.

10. “Honey Don’t”

Ringo sings lead on this Carl Perkins cover. I could definitely do without this. Whenever The Beatles would do their “country & western” thing it makes me cringe and this is no exception.

11. “Every Little Thing” – Paul

It’s quite unusual in the Beatles catalog as Lennon sang the lead vocal even though McCartney wrote the song. McCartney has said that it was an attempt at writing a single but that it didn’t quite work out so was included as an album track instead. I find this to be quite a catchy little tune and I love the timpani drum during the chorus.

12. “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” – John

Another great underrated original. I love the lyrics. I love the melody. The whole feeling of the song just works for me, particularly in the context of the other originals on the album. Yes it does have a slightly “country & western” feel at times but it’s not to the point where it ruins the song, it’s only a slight influence.

13. “What You’re Doing” – Paul

I love this one too. I think the originals on this album are criminally underrated. This to me sounds like it could have been a classic single in alternate universe. I love the drum intro, the guitar riff. It’s a great vocal performance by Paul. And again it has a sort of “tense” and slightly “dark” sound to it that fits in great with the other original songs on this album. Basically I think if you take out the covers – you’d have an excellent 8 song EP of originals which really fit together in a certain mood more so than any other collection of Beatles songs.

14. “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby”

Yeah, no. I don’t think I like Carl Perkins one bit. I could really do without any of the covers on this album but it’s “Mr. Moonlight,” “Honey Don’t,” & “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby” that really ruin it.

VERDICT: John

I think this is a close one, but what gives John the edge is that he actually sings the lead vocals on one of Paul’s originals and he sings lead on 3 covers while Paul only sings lead on 1. As far as the actual original songwriting for this album I think it’s extremely close but “No Reply,” “I’m a Loser,” & “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” do beat out “I’ll Follow the Sun,” “Every Little Thing,” & “What You’re Doing” I think. Although I’m not sure – I really like those Paul tunes. “Eight Days a Week” & “Baby’s in Black” were co-written so they’re a wash.

John’s up 4-0, Help! is coming up next.

Buy Remastered Beatles For Sale CD

The Beatles Box Sets

Beatles For Sale is included in both The Beatles Mono Box Set & The Beatles Stereo Box Set. They can both be ordered online now at Amazon.com

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