Just Three Words, #4! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Help!

A great song by John, it quickly reached number one in both Britain and the US in 1965. It was evidently originally intended to be done more slowly than the version released. John said in a 1980 interview that he actually was crying out for help in the song.

Answer: Eleanor Rigby

It is on the "Revolver" album and was also a hit single in 1966. Musically, it is one of the most complex and interesting of the Beatles composition. There actually is an Eleanor Rigby buried in the church cemetery of St Peter's parish, Woolton, Liverpool; Paul and John first met at a party at this parish in 1957. Paul has no recollection of seeing the gravestone, but has suggested the name might have implanted itself in his subconscious.

This has always been one of my favorite Beatles songs.

Answer: A Day in the Life

This song was written mainly by John, with Paul contributing the middle section. It appeared as the final track on the "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album in 1967. The line "I'd love to turn you on" led to it being banned by the BBC at the time of its release.

Answer: Run For Your Life

This song appeared on the "Rubber Soul" album. It was written by John, who later said he really disliked the song. The lyrics "I'd rather see you dead, little girl than to be with another man" were from the song "Baby, Let's Play House," which Elvis Presley had recorded in 1955.

Answer: The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill

John here mockingly recounts a true incident. A fellow student at the Maharishi's ashram left to go big-game hunting, accompanied by his mother, and later expressed remorse at this action. It appears on "The White Album."

Answer: Dig a Pony

Written by John, this song appeared on the "Let It Be" album. In 1972, Lennon said he "was just having fun with words" and called it a "nonsense song." However, a few years later he called it a "piece of garbage." You can decide for yourself.

Answer: Eight Days A Week

Recorded in October 1964, it first appeared in the UK on the album "Beatles For Sale" in December. In the US it appeared as a single in February 1965 and went to number one and then was on the US album "Beatles VI" a few months later. Although very popular, the Beatles themselves did not rate the song highly; John called it "a bit manufactured."

Answer: I Don't Want to Spoil the Party

Mainly written by John, this song -- which has a slightly "country" sound -- has lyrics that reflect his common themes of alienation and estrangement. It may have been written with Ringo as the intended singer, but it was recorded with John on lead vocal.

Answer: And Your Bird Can Sing

Another Beatles song with lyrics that seem largely nonsensical, it may actually be an oblique reference to the band's rivalry with the Rolling Stones. If so, the "bird" is likely Marianne Faithfull, a singer and girlfriend of Mick Jagger's. The song was written mainly by John and is on the "Revolver" album.

Answer: Revolution

In this song, John expressed his support for radical change, but not if it meant using violence. As he said (some years later): "Don't expect me on the barricades unless it's with flowers." The hit version was the B-side of "Hey Jude," but a much slower version of the song had been released a few months earlier on the "White" album.