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Ranking The Beatles: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jonathan and Julia Pretus
Musician and self-described Beatles fanatic Jonathan Pretus ranked the entire recorded catalog of the Beatles, because he's a big, big nerd. Then he decided to make a podcast to talk with other people and learn about their connection with The Beatles' music. Jonathan and his guests, joined by his co-host/wife Julia (a more level-headed, casual fan), discuss the rankings, what they think makes each song so great (or not-so-great), and see if it really is a fool's errand to try and rank the music of the greatest band of all time.
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- 2 weeks ago1h 44m
#61/#60/#59 - Mean Mr. Mustard/Polythene Pam/She Came In Through The Bathroom Window with Sean Nelson
We told you we'd be back, and here we are! To make up for the absence, we're returning with our first every TRIPLE EPISODE! As part of side 2 on Abbey Road, "Mean Mr. Mustard," "Polythene Pam," and "She Came in Through The Bathroom Window" represent an amazing joining of John and Paul's sensibilities firmly in what we now usually consider Paul's territory of character songs. These fragments from the year before get joined together in a brilliant streak of creativity and self-editing, and showcase the band at some of their finest playing of the hour (esp. George and Ringo on "Pam"). Was this an attempt to beat The Who at their A Quick One-iest, or was it a way to pull together whatever was lying around to finish up the album? Whatever it is, it's gosh darn great.Joining to dive into all this is our old pal and bon vivant Sean Nelson, making his way into the 5 Timers Club of RTB (not quite as prestigious as the one on SNL, but it's what we got). We catch up with the former Harvey Danger frontman to discuss, well, all kinds of stuff. It's a long one, cuz we're talking about a LOT of music here, but it's a good one.What do you think about these songs coming in at #61, #60, and #59 respectively? Too high, too low or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram (be sure to follow our new account, @rankingthebeatlespod), or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!Check out the new album by The Walrus, A New Orleans Beatles Experience Elysian Fields Forever! 12 Beatles classics reimagined through the wide lens of New Orleans music. Available on vinyl and CD and streaming everywhere!Catch up with all our previous rankings here!
- Jul 3, 20261h 39m
#62 - Leave My Kitten Alone with Dr. Richard Mills
Is this it? The great Beatles missed opportunity? How can something THIS GOOD have been NOT GOOD ENOUGH to add to Beatles For Sale? Pulled out of the bag when they lads were looking for oldies but goodies to fill out their fourth album, it features arguably one of John's greatest rock vocal performances, and the band is $hIt hot. The common take is how this got shelved whereas "Mr. Moonlight" didn't, but I'd argue this is better than any other cover on the album, and maybe more enjoyable than the originals on it as well. That this song sat in the archives until the 90s is just wild to me. So we better unpack this one.Joining us this week is Dr. Richard Mills, a Beatles scholar and author of several books on the group, including his latest, "The Beatles and Black Music." Richard joins us to chat about DNA influence on music, Beatle-named pets, the fan impact of the upcoming Sam Mendes films, and so much more! What do you think about "Leave My Kitten Alone" at #62? Too high, too low or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!Catch up with all our previous rankings here!
- Jun 19, 202659 min
#63 - Bad Boy with Brian Pretus
When the suits in America came asking the Beatles for some market exclusive songs, they reached back into the bag o' tricks, in particular their (John's) affection for Larry Williams, and knocked out a particularly racuous cover of "Bad Boy." It's one of those covers that smokes the original, and it's lead by John, doing his full-throated, rip-out-yer-larynx vocal. This is one of those tracks that could've been a career-maker for a lesser band, and that it lost out on an album spot to Dizzy Miss Lizzy is maybe the main reason it's not as well known or well loved.We're joined this week by a very special guest, guitarist/songwriter/producer/Jonathan's brother Brian Pretus! His band Bad Operation has a killer new album out, Everything Must Go, and they're hitting the road this summer and fall. We talk about the Beatles to punk and ska pipeline, scented records, the best band names of all time, and more! What do you think about "Bad Boy" at #63? Too high, too low or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!Catch up with our previous rankings here!
- May 1, 20261h 16m
#64 - I'm So Tired with Giggens & Jenny Jamball
While immersed in meditation with the Maharishi in India, John was not only substance-free for the first time in years, he was also coming to terms with the fact that he was falling in love with Yoko Ono. With an unclouded brain and an open consciousness, he found himself battling intense insomnia in Rishikesh, which he turned into "I'm So Tired," a song which lives firmly in the darker side of The White Album we've discussed previously. It's one of those brilliant songs which marries the mood and feeling of the song with the lyrics perfectly. You can FEEL that this man is TIRED...tired from the non-stop years of Beatling, tired from abusing his body for years, tired of the mental anguish he's dealt with, tired of being tired. When he sing's "I'M GOING INSANE" it really feels like it, and it's an absolutely cathartic moment on the record.We're joined this week by the wonderful GIggens and Jenny Jamball! Giggens and Jenny met over a shared deep love of the Beach Boys (we get it), and well, they've just got one of the best meetcutes you'll ever hear. We talk about discovering the Beatles via dads and chipmunks, the shift in our favorite bands social medias, Butter Music, and so much more! What do you think about "I'm So Tired" at #64? Too high, too low or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!Catch up with all our previous rankings here!
- Apr 10, 20261h 33m
#65 - Happiness Is A Warm Gun with Josh Bloom
We're back on the creepy side of the White Album this episode, exploring John's definitely not drug-influenced "Happiness Is A Warm Gun." This song moves through 3 different movements so quickly and adeptly you'd think it was a Paul tune. It's got an ominous vibe to it, though features some absolutely brilliant playing from the lads, and some insane time shifts. It's a really intriguing and vibey song, and it makes me feel a whole lot of things...including the creeps.Joining us this week is Josh Bloom, author of the book The Apples In Stereo , a biography about the band The Apples In Stereo. He's also a music publicist and industry vet we've worked with in the past, and have had a great time getting to know. He's a big Beatles nerd like us and a really funny fella. Check out iamjoshbloom.com to get a copy of the book, check out his substack, his videos, and more!What do you think about "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" at #65? Too high, too low or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!
- Mar 27, 20261h 2m
#66 - Boys with Jon Wurster
Ok, ok, ok, I know y'all might disagree with me. But for my money, "Boys" is one of the most fun, and energetic moments on Please Please Me. It's all energy and youthful rock and roll leaning right into it's Shirelles-roots, straight out of the garage. It's Ringo's most ROCKING vocal (why did he never sing with this much bravado ever again?) and while it's not rocket science, I challenge you not to get up and dance to this song. I'm here to get justice for "Boys," one way or the other.Joining us this weeks is Jon Wurster, drummer for Mountain Goats (formerly of Superchunk) and a whole bunch of other projects and things you've seen and heard. Jon joins us to chat what makes Ringo Ringo, the best Wings song Wings never wrote, Julia discovers Ognir Rrats, and more! Check out Jon on tour with Mountain Goats this year and on the REM tour with Michael Shannon!What do you think about "Boys" at #66? Too high, too low or just right? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!
- Mar 13, 20261h 6m
#67 - Rock and Roll Music with Kyle Melancon
There's just something magical when the most powerful band in the world reaches back into their bag for a song that's such a part of their DNA, they only need one take at knocking out an absolutely barn burning cover of it, and that's exactly what The Beatles did with Chuck Berry's "Rock and Roll Music." Propelled by Ringo's swinging backbeat (he can't blues it ((also did you know John was singing "you can't blues it?" I didn't until now)) and John demonstrating again that in 1964, he was the greatest rock and roll vocalist on the planet, this track serves as a nice calling card to remember exactly what the band was there for, rocking and rolling. I know this one doesn't always get a lot of recognition, but I love this cover.Our ol pal Kyle Melancon is back with us for the first time in a hot minute. We chop it up about the new Man on the Run doc, 6 handed piano mysteries, and much much more! What do you think about "Rock and Roll Music" at #67? Too high? Too low? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!
- Feb 27, 20261h 3m
#68 - All I've Got To Do with Mary Devlin (aka @beatledirt)
"The rhythm's in the guitars" is how the Beatles used to excuse the fact that they had no drummer in the early days. And this rather obscure song features some really great syncopated, sophisticated rhythm guitars. It's moody groove which finds John in his blue-eyed soul mode, and more importantly, how can a song with no real chorus be SO DARN GOOD? This one's a real sleeper tune on a sleeper album; it's bookended by such big moments, it never gets it due. But that ends today at #68!Joining us this week is the wonderful Mary Devlin (aka @beatledirt on socials, if you follow Beatles content, you know her). When she's not Beatling, she's a singer/songwriter with a GREAT new single out now (like today!) called "Reduce You" and y'all should all go jump on it because it's a jam. Click here to listen! Stream it here or here or anywhere you stream! We chat about her new song, the origins of Beatle Dirt, songwriting and content creating, and so much more! What do you think about "All I've Got To Do" at #68? Too high? Too low? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you're digging what we do, don't forget to Buy Us A Coffee!!
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About Ranking The Beatles
Musician and self-described Beatles fanatic Jonathan Pretus ranked the entire recorded catalog of the Beatles, because he's a big, big nerd. Then he decided to make a podcast to talk with other people and learn about their connection with The Beatles' music. Jonathan and his guests, joined by his co-host/wife Julia (a more level-headed, casual fan), discuss the rankings, what they think makes each song so great (or not-so-great), and see if it really is a fool's errand to try and rank the music of the greatest band of all time.
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