The Word

All You Need Is Love was the perfect anthem for the Summer of Love when the Beatles sang it on the first-ever global satellite broadcast Our World in 1967.  However, diehard fans of the group knew even then that the theme of universal love was not a new one for the Fab Four.  The boys had already covered the same ground about a year and a half earlier on the album Rubber Soul with the deep cut The Word.

As to why Lennon and McCartney were attracted to that idea in late 1965, one of the only explanations they came up with in later interviews was that they were very much into marijuana at the time.  Lennon was the primary writer of the track, and, after McCartney helped him finish it up, the two reportedly lit up a joint as Paul wrote out the lyric sheet and adorned it with watercolors.

The group recorded The Word on November 10th, 1965, at the penultimate session for Rubber Soul.  As was often the case, they must have rehearsed a good deal before rolling the tapes, because it only required three takes to achieve the master.  This master features Paul on piano, Ringo on drums, and John and George playing their guitars.  It is the many overdubs, however, that truly distinguish the track.

First up was John's lead vocal, which he then double-tracked.  Then came the three-part harmonies from John, Paul and George, which grow in complexity as the song progresses.  These were also double-tracked, with Paul adding yet a third layer to his vocal contribution.  Ringo was also busy overdubbing two separate parts on maracas.

Producer George Martin was kept busy, as well, adding a chord on harmonium that he builds upon impressively for both the instrumental break and the fadeout of the song.  Rhythmically, my favorite part is Paul's overdubbed bass line.  His playing during the refrains creates what is probably the only time that a track by the Beatles can be described as funky.

There are many different mixes available for The Word.  On the mono mix, John's lead vocal is single-tracked.  The first stereo mix was sent to Capitol Records in America, but George Martin made a new stereo mix for the British release.  When Rubber Soul was issued on CD for the first time in the 1980's, Martin saw fit to make a new stereo mix of the entire album.  Whether you are hearing the lead vocals, the backing vocals, or the maracas on one side or both sides all depends on which version of the stereo mix you are listening to.

The Word is only available on the album Rubber Soul, late on side one between Harrison's Think For Yourself and McCartney's Michelle.  It is a shame that it has never appeared on any compilations over the years, because it is truly a terrific song (in my mind, even better than All You Need Is Love), and deserves to be heard on a wider basis.