In 1965 the Beatles released their album "Rubber Soul" and an exclusive double A-side single titled "Day Tripper" / "We Can Work It Out". As usual during the early 60's in North America they released the album with another tracklisting leaving out 4 songs to be replaced by 2 songs from the previous album "Help!" to reach a maximum of 12 songs. A bad habit in those days in North America that ended around 1968.

Original group photo used for the cover

At this point the Beatles were tired of touring and running away of screaming fans. They would only do a short tour in the summer of 1966 before quiting touring completely. They now wanted to fully concentrate on making creative albums. On "Help!" they already started writing all the songs themselves instead of covers. The album was recorded in only 4 weeks in Abbey Road Studios at the end of 1965. One of the strengths of Rubber Soul, like Revolver, is the diversity of musical styles and sounds. 

Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out - single cover

We can hear some french spoken words as well in “Michelle”. “Sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble, Très bien ensemble.” means exactly the same as “These are words that go together well, Together well” in that song. Harrison played a sitar on "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" for the first time. Most songs were composed by Lennon and McCartney. Lennon wrote the song "Norwegian Wood" about a secret affair he had when he was married with his first wife, Cynthia. And the fact he had to hide this for her. In "You Won't See Me" McCartney describes the difficulties he was experiencing in his relationship with actress Jane Asher due to her refusal to put her acting career aside for his needs. In "Nowhere Man" Lennon reflects concerns about his experiences with LSD. Lennon is the nowhere man himself. "Think For Yourself" is a protest song by Harrison influenced by Bob Dylan. Lennon wrote "Girl" about an archetypal woman he had been searching for and would finally find in Yoko Ono. Like "You Won't See Me" and "We Can Work It Out", "I'm Looking Through You" focuses on McCartney's troubled relationship with Asher. "If I Needed Someone" was a love song to Harrisson's girlfriend Pattie Boyd he would marry a month after the release of "Rubber Soul". Finally in 1977 they divorced after she cheated on George by dating and finally marrying his best friend Eric Clapton.

Beatles in 1965 on tour

"Rubber Soul" remains one of their best albums and the beginning of their creative peak!

Original album cover

Rubber Soul (1965) official tracklisting
Drive My Car / Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) / You Won't See Me / Nowhere Man / Think for Yourself / The Word / Michelle / What Goes On / Girl / I'm Looking Through You / In My Life / Wait /  If I Needed Someone / Run for Your Life

Original North American cover

Rubber Soul (1965) North American tracklisting
I've Just Seen a Face (officially from Help!) / Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) / You Won't See Me / Think for Yourself / The Word / Michelle / It's Only Love (officially from Help!) / Girl / I'm Looking Through You / In My Life / Wait / Run for Your Life


Day Tripper

Norwegian Wood

Michelle

Girl