Ranking The Beatles

23/05/2025

#72 - I've Just Seen A Face
Out now at rankingthebeatles.com or anywhere you get podcasts

It's weird how many songs the Beatles have that aren't "hits" but are still universally loved. It seems everyone knows and loves "I've Just Seen A Face," despite never being a single and never appearing on the big compilations. Maybe it's just one that's found a way to sink its' teeth into anyone who's ever known the rush of new love. Maybe it's just one of those classic Paul melodies. Maybe it's the kind of country, kind of rock, kind of acoustic line it seems to walk so well. Maybe it's all of those. Either way, it's an absolute gem.

Joining us this week is ⁠Jack Petruzelli, producer, songwriter, musician, and founding member of ⁠The Fab Faux⁠, in addition to his work with folks like Rufus Wainwright, Joan Osborne, and more. He joins us to talk about what makes the Fab Faux work (they're probably the best Beatles tribute around, no wigs or costumes needed, just A-list players). We take a trip across previous rankings to question my sanity, while also discussing the upcoming ⁠Magical Mystery Camp⁠ (June 24-27), an all-inclusive, once-in-a-lifetime music vacation experience in the heart of the Catskills, exploring the music of The Beatles via performances, workshops, songwriting clinics and more! You can join the Fab Faux, Peter Asher, Joan Osborne, Laurence Juber and more, along with Beatle authors (and former RTB guests) Robert Rodriguez and Jerry Hammack, Ken Womack, and more in the Catskills for a Fab time! Learn more and sign up at https://www.magicalmysterycamp.com/

What do you think about "I've Just Seen A Face" at #72? Too high? Too low? Let us know in the comments below!

13/05/2025

Ok Beatle friends (and fellow musicians and music industry friends)…here’s my big ask…finally planning our upcoming trip to the UK for July. Do I know anyone with a contact that could get Julia and I a tour at Abbey Road? It’s a bucket list dream, and I’m putting it out Into the universe.

09/05/2025

#73 - Blackbird
Out now at rankingthebeatles.com or wherever you get podcasts!
McCartney's ability to craft the most capitvating, simple, and gorgeous melodies never fails to amaze. Conceived (we think/he tells us) as a song of encouragement and support for the civil rights movement, in full swing by 1968, "Blackbird" has become one of Paul's signature songs. It was the title of his poetry collection. It's one of the most tattoo'd Beatle lyrics and imagery. It's one of his best, and he knows it, and we know it.

Joining us this week is Allan Kozinn, co-author of the brilliant McCartney Legacy book series. Vol.2 dropped at the end of 2024, and like Vol. 1 before, has garnered rave reviews. It's the most in-depth and thoughtful dive on Paul's non-Beatles years ever done, and we can't recommend it enough! Allan drops in to talk his "demonic" book, the human side of Paul, uncovering treasures in plain sight, and more! Grab a copy at ⁠https://www.mccartneylegacy.com!

What do you think about "Blackbird" at #73? Too high? Too low? Let us know in the comments!

30/04/2025

YOU GUYS!! How great is this cover? Absolutely cannot wait to get our hands on this, the official and long-awaited Paul McCartney & Wings book! Let's goooo!

23/04/2025

#74 - Julia
Out now at rankingthebeatles.com or anywhere you get podcasts!
One of the best things about the White Album is seeing so many different sides of each Beatle. To close out the first disc, we get a rare glimpse of the really vulnerable and sensitive John, a side we really haven't seen laid bare prior to this. It's a gorgeous track, lead by an almost hypnotic finger picking pattern, with a single note, bare lead vocal practically forcing you to listen to what he's singing about. Of course Julia was his mother, but is this just a song to/about her? I'd always thought so, until this conversation.

Joining us this week is the always wonderful Jude Southerland Kessler, the author of The John Lennon series. Jude always seems to know just how to blow our minds with her knowledge and telling of John's story, and this episode is no different. The newest book in the series, Volume 5.2, which is called Some Forever ,Shades of Life Pt 2 covers August of 1965-1966 and contrary to what we discuss in the episode, will be out around August of this year (darn printing delays!). These books are fantastic, we can't wait to dive it and suggest you do the same as well! Check it out at johnlennonseries.com.

What do you think about "Julia" at #74? Too high? Too low? Let us know in the comments below!

07/04/2025

Respect!

Paul McCartney’s Venus and Mars charts again in the U.S. after a massive 5,435% sales spike, which comes via a remastered vinyl edition.

27/03/2025

#75 - Get Back
Out now at rankingthebeatles.com or wherever you get podcasts!
Ever seen an artist create a global smash hit from the moment of inception through each and every moment of rehearsal and refinement to recording, live premier, and continued real time performances 60 years later? With "Get Back," now you have. Pulling this out of the ether during the 1969 Twickenham sessions, this seedling turns into a fantastic performance by the lads, brought to its' full potential with assistance from Billy Preston. As it says in the ad for the single, it's "music to rollercoast to" and who are we to argue?

Joining us this week are Robert Rodriguez and Jerry Hammack! You may know Robert from his brilliant and long running podcast, Something About The Beatlesand his books, and Jerry's the author of the The Beatles Recording Reference Manuals a fab 5 volume series documenting how each and every musical sausage was made by the band. They've joined forces now for Ribbons of Rust: The Beatles Recording History in Context. It's a fascinating deep dive into the recordings and the world, musical and otherwise, that informed them. Volume 1 is out now, covering 1954-1963, so there's A LOT more to look forward to! Grab a copy at ⁠RibbonsofRust.net!

What do you think about "Get Back" at #75? Too high? Too low? Let us know in the comments!!

25/03/2025

Last year at The Fest For Beatles Fans, a gentleman guffawed at me and said "yOu CaNT rAnK thE BeaTLeS!" To that gentleman I replied, "Oh sir, but yet I have," and this year, with the assistance of our podpals and ranking brethen Blotto Beatles, will rank a song live, in real time, recorded for posterity and future release! "Now and Then" will find its' rightful place! If you're going to the fest, come join us! A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

21/03/2025

We're a week away from The Fest For Beatles Fans! We can't wait! Here's our schedule! Come catch Jonathan's acoustic set Friday afternoon (any requests?), and then a LIVE PODCAST taping with our pals Blotto Beatles, in which we'll discuss the art of ranking, and try to find a home for Now and Then!
Note: our panel will be Friday at 8:00pm, not Sunday as listed on the schedule. We'll be hanging around all weekend with fun, games, surprises and freebies, so come find us!

12/03/2025

I'll be having this, please and thank you!

04/03/2025

🎭🎉⚜️HAPPY MARDI GRAS, Y’ALL!!🎭🎉⚜️
- Krewe of Ranking the Beatles