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The Beatles — Because
Album: Abbey Road
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2802









Released: 1969
Length: 2:42
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Aaaaaaah-aaah
Because the world is round
It turns me on
Because the world is round

Aaaaaaah-aaah
Because the wind is high
It blows my mind
Because the wind is high

Aaaaaaah-ah
Love is old, love is new
Love is old, love is you

Because the sky is blue
It makes me cry
Because the sky is blue

Aah-a-a-a-ah-aah-a-ah-a-a-aah
Aah-a-a-a-a-a-ah-ah-ah-ah-aah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-a-a-aah
Aah-a-a-a-ah-aaaaah
Comments (252)add comment
it nearly breaks my heart how I lived in the time of these geniuses
Pretty good - almost Quite Likeable
 kcatalina wrote:

Nice Allan Parsons connection



I wonder how much influence Alan Parsons had on the subtle incorporation of synths and harpsichord mirroring the guitar throughout.  Or was that George Martin? 
I've been now listening to this song/album side  for last several  minutes via my Bose speakers, cranked up.

This really is a freaking masterpiece.  And recored on 1969 technolgy. 

 
Knew the intro ... heard it coming ... oh my, so wonderful.  Takes me back to a far better place.

What a time to be 20.  Thank you guys  for giving me a terrific time growing up.

 ✌️ and ❤️

So this song/album side is 50+ years old. 

It still sounds so experimental,  so provactive,  well-made,  trippy.

How is this possible?   It's called talent.  And divine intervention. And luck.
I wonder how Ringo felt about not being included on tracks like this one. Surely they could have  tucked him in there. His voice wasn't that bad.
I'm going to get no work done right. Nick Drake's Things Behind The Sung and then this?

Also, hearing this in the early 70's really made me aware that I absolutely loved vocal harmonies. Absolutely sublime.
More overplayed shit from the Beatles
 acolt wrote:
I won't ever argue the contributions of the Beatles to the advancement of music, so please don't take the following comment in that sense. It's purely an opinion about this song and a few others.

I don't get it. I just don't. It's not even that I think it's "stoner" music (although it sounds plainly like there were some psychedelics ingested during writing and recording). It's just, I don't know, unremarkable. There's nothing to it. Kind of like "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Just no substance to it. Actually, that's a bad comparison. This song just leaves me saying "Meh." "Hold Your Hand" makes me want to take a power-drill to my temple. Give me "Hey Jude," "I Am the Walrus," "Let It Be," or "Helter Skelter" any time.

Sounds like you didn’t get "That magic feeling" and it left you "Nowhere to go". It’s okay, that happens.
Most of us I think did get that magic feeling.
Fuck - the Beatles truly hit the spot every time…
The whole workplay. So unsusual so great. That magic feeling!!!!! Me pareció escuchar un moog o polymoog al inicio
 macadavy wrote:



Good point!  who sez RP, guided by DJ extraordinaire BillG, can't when the mood strikes 'im suddenly, momentarily become a full album station?  Why not?!  

FCC rules from the old FM days limits playing multiple tracks from any album (record companies didn't want folks recording albums off the airwaves) 

Long Live RP and Short Live stupid outdated rules! 
 BCarn wrote:

Whoa, whoa, who, hold on there RP! It is sacrilige to play only one snippet of the medley from Side 2.  The Commandment is "Thou Shalt play the entire medley from Abbey Road". 



I love hearing that whole side but never really considered this a part of the medley (I thought it began with "You Never Give Me Your Money"). THIS song is simply one of the most beautiful songs ever and stands on its own.
 Sofa_King wrote:
These three gentlemen did a great cover of this song, I think the Beatles would be proud


OK Radio Paradiseners - I need to pile on Sofa King's comment... The hyperlink he provided is to three gents doing an A capella version of Because that sent shivers down my spine. What is mind-blowing is that these three guys are in a Heavy Metal band - Sons of Apollo. If you think that HM bands scream and play it loud because they can't play it good, this will change your mind! Plus, their spin on this Beatles classic will make you re-think the song in its entirety; and re-think the reasons and value to "cover" any song. Thank you, Sofa King!

LLRP 
(Long Live Radio Paradise)
 bam23 wrote:

Sorry to hear of your sickness. I'm not clear why you feel the need to express the fact that you're sick. However, these days, it's good to know this about someone. Contagion, you know?

Because I have heard all the Beatles about a million times or more
It sounds effortless, I'm floored every time.
Nice Allan Parsons connection
 BCarn wrote:

Whoa, whoa, who, hold on there RP! It is sacrilige to play only one snippet of the medley from Side 2.  The Commandment is "Thou Shalt play the entire medley from Abbey Road". 




Good point!  who sez RP, guided by DJ extraordinaire BillG, can't when the mood strikes 'im suddenly, momentarily become a full album station?  Why not?!  
 gjr wrote:
there should be a '15' rating just for this (and most of the rest of Abbey Road) 



There is a road to the right of this  that you cut through from the A41 to the A5 to get around London's congestion zone. You pretty much don't have to look. Nothing is coming through that crossing which is always rammed with people annoyed everyone else is in the shot they thought of.
Still not playing the whole side!!!!! So disappointing. 
 jp33442 wrote:
I an hitting the next button , so sick of The Beatles
 
Sorry to hear of your sickness. I'm not clear why you feel the need to express the fact that you're sick. However, these days, it's good to know this about someone. Contagion, you know?
Because should never be played standalone. It is there to set up the rest of the medley. The medley is a 10. This song alone is only a 6. 
 acolt wrote:
I won't ever argue the contributions of the Beatles to the advancement of music, so please don't take the following comment in that sense. It's purely an opinion about this song and a few others.

I don't get it. I just don't. It's not even that I think it's "stoner" music (although it sounds plainly like there were some psychedelics ingested during writing and recording). It's just, I don't know, unremarkable. There's nothing to it. Kind of like "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Just no substance to it. Actually, that's a bad comparison. This song just leaves me saying "Meh." "Hold Your Hand" makes me want to take a power-drill to my temple. Give me "Hey Jude," "I Am the Walrus," "Let It Be," or "Helter Skelter" any time.

 
It would be very boring if our tastes were all the same. But it can be very confusing when you're in such a small minority.
 jp33442 wrote:
I an hitting the next button , so sick of The Beatles
 
Take a pill of some Matrix color and call an Uber for transport to the musical cure of your choice. 
These three gentlemen did a great cover of this song, I think the Beatles would be proud
I an hitting the next button , so sick of The Beatles
Gotta be "Godlike" for God's sake !
10.
 BCarn wrote:
Whoa, whoa, who, hold on there RP! It is sacrilige to play only one snippet of the medley from Side 2.  The Commandment is "Thou Shalt play the entire medley from Abbey Road". 
 
Totally agree.  
 (anonymous) wrote:
Love the tune -- but it's completely and morally WRONG to bust it out of the side 2 medley. It's like eating peanut butter without jam. Play all of it or don't play it at all!
 
Peanut butter with jam is disgusting   Peanut butter should be eaten with Marmite.
 Tomasni wrote:
Long Live                                                                                   Radio Paradise
My rating is still only                              8 - Most Excellent
 
And this bore repeating because ... ?
 Alexandra wrote:
OMG the harmonies. Geniuses, all four.  
 

Not to be a jerk, but I don't think Ringo is doing anything on this one...
Sigh....did it again.
 Tomasni wrote:
Long Live  RP

My rating 8 - Most Excellent           
 
Should be at least a 9. 
These guys need to harmonize better!  lol   Seriously, one of my fave features of Beatles songs are the harmonies.
It goes against my  nature to like icons like The Beatles, but Abbey Road is one of the best albums ever made.  I used to listen to it daily on my older brother's record player, in his room when he was out, in 1970.  
Rode across Western Canada on my motorcycle when I was 16.
In my helmet, on auto-reverse, was Abbey Road and the best of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Priceless memories.
 yofitofu wrote:
I heard somewhere that the original inspiration for this song was John Lennon turning the music for Moonlight Sonata upside down on the piano and playing the first few notes of it. It is in C# minor. Anyone tried this out?
 
Apparently, Lennon claimed it was built around Beethoven's chords played in reverse order, (not upside-down).  It sounds like there are several shared chords and scale degrees, but it doesn't sound like a complete reversal of the other chord progression.
Whoa, whoa, who, hold on there RP! It is sacrilige to play only one snippet of the medley from Side 2.  The Commandment is "Thou Shalt play the entire medley from Abbey Road". 
I heard somewhere that the original inspiration for this song was John Lennon turning the music for Moonlight Sonata upside down on the piano and playing the first few notes of it. It is in C# minor. Anyone tried this out?
 Typesbad wrote:
I don't recall if I've heard this before, but I feel pretty sure I identified this as a Peter Gabriel song from the sound of the base after just a couple of notes.  Anyone know what makes this bass sound so distinctive?

Nevermind, after writing this I remembered that Google is one click away and got my answer:  Tony Levin and his Chapman Stick.
 
Ahhhh......apparently you were on the wrong page...the next song is the one you want..  Yes, Tony Levin, very distinctive
George for sure.
 Typesbad wrote:
I don't recall if I've heard this before, but I feel pretty sure I identified this as a Peter Gabriel song from the sound of the base after just a couple of notes.  Anyone know what makes this bass sound so distinctive?
 
It's the mix.  A very strange album if you ever listen critically.  There are numerous glitches and other assorted errors in it.  I recently ripped 3 different versions of this on vinyl and the mastering was all different, but the glitches were there in all three.  Its an engineering train wreck but it sounds so damn good that you just get over it.
I don't recall if I've heard this before, but I feel pretty sure I identified this as a Peter Gabriel song from the sound of the base after just a couple of notes.  Anyone know what makes this bass sound so distinctive?

Nevermind, after writing this I remembered that Google is one click away and got my answer:  Tony Levin and his Chapman Stick.
There is no other way to say, other than this is pure God-like.
Genius.
{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy} {#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}
 unclehud wrote:
Love is all; Love is you ...
 
Six years later.  Still accurate.
OMG the harmonies. Geniuses, all four.   Never tire of hearing this.
Sublime.
This one is as good as it gets.
Brilliant. 
i remember an old beatle documentary with george martin describing the recording of this song how he 'told the boys to sing on key and raise it.  they hit it perfectly every time.'  with the song playing in the background and there were actually tears in his eyes.  
he knew perfection when he had seen it.... we are mere mortals that got the luck to be in their presence..... 
there should be a '15' rating just for this (and most of the rest of Abbey Road) 
Love this song... Maybe only because it is in the soundtrack of American Beauty...
 calypsus_1 wrote:


Aaaaaaah-ah
Love is old, love is new
Love is old, love is you
Because the sky is blue
It makes me cry
Because the sky is blue

 
Good lyrics!? Bad lyrics!? For me, this is a nice song!!


Aaaaaaah-ah
Love is old, love is new
Love is old, love is you
Because the sky is blue
It makes me cry
Because the sky is blue



 TerryS wrote:

Yer codpiece is off-center.

 
Don't tell that to Ian Anderson.
to do
 fredriley wrote:
On so many other song boards RP listeners comment about the banality and stupidity of lyrics, yet the Beatles get a free pass on such criticism, despite "because the world is round it turns me on" or "because the sky is blue it makes me cry". The moptops really did let their brains be turned to mush during their 'Indian guru worship' period.

 
Yeah, sure. Only if you lump everything done by any member of the band post-1967 (or thereabouts) into the same genre of banality and stupidity does this glib statement make sense. You may choose to take this position if you choose, but on its face, this is balderdash! Tripe also.
 fredriley wrote:
On so many other song boards RP listeners comment about the banality and stupidity of lyrics, yet the Beatles get a free pass on such criticism, despite "because the world is round it turns me on" or "because the sky is blue it makes me cry". The moptops really did let their brains be turned to mush during their 'Indian guru worship' period.

 
Or perhaps, like so much of the other lyrics in this suite, they are a parody--or at least a sly wink. {#Wink}
Interesting music... I wonder if these giuys will ever get any mainstream attention...
 TerryS wrote:

Yer codpiece is off-center.

 
OMC...oh my cod!
"Oh it´s Beatles, I don´t even have to listen to know its 8+"

pathetic...
On so many other song boards RP listeners comment about the banality and stupidity of lyrics, yet the Beatles get a free pass on such criticism, despite "because the world is round it turns me on" or "because the sky is blue it makes me cry". The moptops really did let their brains be turned to mush during their 'Indian guru worship' period.
Happy belated birthday George. 
Love this.  But Bill, and this cannot be said enough, you need to play the rest of it.  The ending this way is just so jarring.
quick....let me give this another 10...there, thanks, just had to do that

marvelous...  love it...
 
 bronorb wrote:
I'm sorry, you cannot play "Because" without playing the rest.

 
Agreed! Any play from Abbey Road deserves the entire second half, at least. Better yet, the entire album. {#Biggrin}
 Dude wrote:

On the Beatles Anthology 3, disc 2, there is a version of "Because" that is vocals only.  It's mind-blowing.

If there ever was a 10, it's "Because".

 

I agree...  because I love this song...
 
tha'ts the funniest thing i've see all morning n

 
calypsus_1 wrote:

The Beatles by rising70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_first_rays/

Odeon Cinema,Southend-on-Sea,December 9,1963

Copyright All rights reserved

 

 (former member) wrote:


We be dancing...  love this song...


 
Yer codpiece is off-center.
Sublime, of course, but...makes me also crave to hear:  SHE'S SO HEAVY!

The Beatles by rising70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_first_rays/

Odeon Cinema,Southend-on-Sea,December 9,1963

Copyright All rights reserved


 romeotuma wrote:


I'll dance to this...
  and upload the video ?
got 2 c this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PfTH-It-tU&feature=related

Just in case you forget when this came out - 1969-
 Proclivities wrote:
I don't think ARP synthesizers existed until the 1970's.
 
Looks like it was a Moog, if we can trust Wiki:
The Beatles have also experimented with the use of the Moog synthesizer during the recording of their album, Abbey Road, used prominently in the songs "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Because", "Here Comes the Sun", and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)".
I'm sorry, you cannot play "Because" without playing the rest.
the most beautiful song ever.....period
 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Cool photo, but I think the Beatles used an ARP. Or maybe both, depending on the song?

 
I don't think ARP synthesizers existed until the 1970's.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Cool photo, but I think the Beatles used an ARP. Or maybe both, depending on the song?

 
I've read before that it was a Moog.  The first (and I suppose the last) time they ever used it was on this album.  Maybe the first electronic instrument they EVER used, but that's open to verification.

I won't ever argue the contributions of the Beatles to the advancement of music, so please don't take the following comment in that sense. It's purely an opinion about this song and a few others.

I don't get it. I just don't. It's not even that I think it's "stoner" music (although it sounds plainly like there were some psychedelics ingested during writing and recording). It's just, I don't know, unremarkable. There's nothing to it. Kind of like "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Just no substance to it. Actually, that's a bad comparison. This song just leaves me saying "Meh." "Hold Your Hand" makes me want to take a power-drill to my temple. Give me "Hey Jude," "I Am the Walrus," "Let It Be," or "Helter Skelter" any time.

I always loved this song and its excellent harmonies........and then I saw "Love!" - the Beatles Cirque show in Vegas, and now I love it even MORE!!!

All I can think of of is circ du soleil love ... ten ten ten.
 romeotuma wrote:


The song "Because" has a 3-part harmony vocal performance between Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, overdubbed three times to make nine voices in all... absolutely awesome...

 
 
On the Beatles Anthology 3, disc 2, there is a version of "Because" that is vocals only.  It's mind-blowing.

If there ever was a 10, it's "Because".

 shawshank wrote:
Bring back the MOOG!!!!

 
Cool photo, but I think the Beatles used an ARP. Or maybe both, depending on the song?

Sometimes Bill can just seem to find the right song for the right day.  This appears to be a song about the new, which fits me today!
 romeotuma wrote:


The song "Because" has a 3-part harmony vocal performance between Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, overdubbed three times to make nine voices in all... absolutely awesome...

 
 
wow, cool info, thanks for sharing!

Love is all; Love is you ...
Absolutely mind-blowingly awesomely beautiful.  "Because the world is round, it turns me on..."  indeed.  Pure joy.

{#Notworthy}
I had this rated as an 8???? What the hell was I thinking?? 10, rectified, feel better.{#Meditate}
The era...sigh |o)  The sunny day it was, relegated to the antique mall and our minds.
wonderfull, big music, uauuuu
you wonder if this just came to them one day, and didn't think much of it when it did.  at least, that's how I imagine how their minds worked.
Bring back the MOOG!!!!


Always and forever - stops me in my tracks.  Makes me LISTEN.  Altered my life in so many ways.  LOVE - LOVE - LOVE
..because...
because it fills up my heart and soul. because it reminds me how it feels to be young and free. because it makes me happy enough to weep, i love this song the most.
 azdcryan wrote:
Many moons ago as a 12 year-old I joined Columbia House (at the time, soooo exciting!).  Abbey Road was one of the first CD's I ever bought (along with Led Zeppelin II, and The Who's Greatest Hits).  I remember receiving those 3 disks...unwrapping them one spring afternoon when I had the whole house to myself.  I listened to them all start to finish on the bitchin "Technics"  hi-fi home audio system we had...with the hideous, big tower speakers cranked...a truly spiritual experience for a young boy who knew almost nothing at the time (well, I guess I knew enough to order those albums anyway).

I was in kindergarten when most of this music was released and I recall hearing it regularly as a small child...some of my earliest childhood musical memories.  Several years later, sitting all alone on the floor of our living room shiny new CD cases in hand, it was almost like hearing it again for the very first time.  I remember being truly creeped out scared by the end of Abbey Road...such haunting and psychedelic sounds coming from both the instruments and the players.  I had never really "heard" anything like it, completely blown away...a total revelation.

To this day, and perhaps for the rest of my life this music will be just about as good as it gets.  True expression.
 

Your memory just gave me chill bumps....well said.
I needed to hear this.
best pop song of all time.  period.
 romeotuma wrote:


Yes, this is great stuff...  and it is from one of the top ten albums of all time...
 
This is actually my favorite Beatle album and I think it is probably top 5 of all times!
 azdcryan wrote:
Many moons ago as a 12 year-old I joined Columbia House (at the time, soooo exciting!).  Abbey Road was one of the first CD's I ever bought (along with Led Zeppelin II, and The Who's Greatest Hits).  I remember receiving those 3 disks...unwrapping them one spring afternoon when I had the whole house to myself.  I listened to them all start to finish on the bitchin "Technics"  hi-fi home audio system we had...with the hideous, big tower speakers cranked...a truly spiritual experience for a young boy who knew almost nothing at the time (well, I guess I knew enough to order those albums anyway).

I was in kindergarten when most of this music was released and I recall hearing it regularly as a small child...some of my earliest childhood musical memories.  Several years later, sitting all alone on the floor of our living room shiny new CD cases in hand, it was almost like hearing it again for the very first time.  I remember being truly creeped out scared by the end of Abbey Road...such haunting and psychedelic sounds coming from both the instruments and the players.  I had never really "heard" anything like it, completely blown away...a total revelation.

To this day, and perhaps for the rest of my life this music will be just about as good as it gets.  True expression.
 
Nice reminiscence. Thank you for sharing this.

{#Music}  Macca lays down a mean bass track on this.
 azdcryan wrote:
Many moons ago as a 12 year-old I joined Columbia House (at the time, soooo exciting!).  Abbey Road was one of the first CD's I ever bought (along with Led Zeppelin II, and The Who's Greatest Hits).  I remember receiving those 3 disks...unwrapping them one spring afternoon when I had the whole house to myself.  I listened to them all start to finish on the bitchin "Technics"  hi-fi home audio system we had...with the hideous, big tower speakers cranked...a truly spiritual experience for a young boy who knew almost nothing at the time (well, I guess I knew enough to order those albums anyway).

I was in kindergarten when most of this music was released and I recall hearing it regularly as a small child...some of my earliest childhood musical memories.  Several years later, sitting all alone on the floor of our living room shiny new CD cases in hand, it was almost like hearing it again for the very first time.  I remember being truly creeped out scared by the end of Abbey Road...such haunting and psychedelic sounds coming from both the instruments and the players.  I had never really "heard" anything like it, completely blown away...a total revelation.

To this day, and perhaps for the rest of my life this music will be just about as good as it gets.  True expression.
 

Great story...nice job.
 Jungle_Jim wrote:
As good as it gets. I think RP's ratings scores should go to 11, like Nigel Tufnel's amp, just for tracks like this.
 
   I respecfully dissagree !
  It is far too complicated as it is,,a simple YES or NO and even I will
 understand the rating system !{#Stupid}
As good as it gets. I think RP's ratings scores should go to 11, like Nigel Tufnel's amp, just for tracks like this.
Many moons ago as a 12 year-old I joined Columbia House (at the time, soooo exciting!).  Abbey Road was one of the first CD's I ever bought (along with Led Zeppelin II, and The Who's Greatest Hits).  I remember receiving those 3 disks...unwrapping them one spring afternoon when I had the whole house to myself.  I listened to them all start to finish on the bitchin "Technics"  hi-fi home audio system we had...with the hideous, big tower speakers cranked...a truly spiritual experience for a young boy who knew almost nothing at the time (well, I guess I knew enough to order those albums anyway).

I was in kindergarten when most of this music was released and I recall hearing it regularly as a small child...some of my earliest childhood musical memories.  Several years later, sitting all alone on the floor of our living room shiny new CD cases in hand, it was almost like hearing it again for the very first time.  I remember being truly creeped out scared by the end of Abbey Road...such haunting and psychedelic sounds coming from both the instruments and the players.  I had never really "heard" anything like it, completely blown away...a total revelation.

To this day, and perhaps for the rest of my life this music will be just about as good as it gets.  True expression.
 jbunniii wrote:
This song illustrates how fortunate we are that the Beatles didn't use synthesizers more often.
 

Since this was their last studio recording and the first to use synthesizers, I think they did a pretty good job keeping them suppressed. Here Comes the Sun would not have had the brightness, either.
Great article in the latest issue of Guitar Player Magazine about the engineering of this album. Especially about the recording of The End. I recommend it.
too bad paul and the lads still aren't being paid what they're worth courtesy of good ol mj. guess there is such a thing as karma.{#Whistle}
This song illustrates how fortunate we are that the Beatles didn't use synthesizers more often.
 romeotuma wrote:
This is soooo good for the ears...
 
 Because?.....
The a cappella version of this song is the best thing on the huge Anthology set.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this song!
Possibly the best album side of all time. . .
 jedley wrote:
Hearing this song in the context of all the surrounding stuff - in this case preceded by the great Peter Gabriel and followed by the formidable Morphine - makes ya realize just how vastly far out of everyone else's league the Beatles were, are and always will be.
 
Excellent comment! I couldn't agree more.

By my count, 83% of the ratings for this song are 8 and above. RP listeners are the best! {#Clap}

A big fat 10.  Why?  Because, that's why!
Hearing this song in the context of all the surrounding stuff - in this case preceded by the great Peter Gabriel and followed by the formidable Morphine - makes ya realize just how vastly far out of everyone else's league the Beatles were, are and always will be.