Walking through Abbey Road

I think I'm bold enough to claim that Abbey Road is my favorite Beatles album. It's the last album The Beatles recorded together as a group, and its album cover is probably the most known and copied (maybe mocked). Funny, it's such a simple cover: the four Beatles walking on the crosswalk of Abbey Road ( why Paul has no shoes on, I don't have the faintest idea, but I refuse to believe those Paul is dead conspiracies). Who would have thought that years later, people still cross Abbey Road trying to copy the infamous cover.

Musically, Abbey Road, to me at least, is a perfect summary of The Beatles' style of rock. It coagulates and shows a progression of how they evolved.The songs have styles and experimentation from their older albums, not to mention, some contain the same storyteller-like lyrics as well. From whimsical songs to beautiful ballads, Abbey Road has it all.

Come together, right now... over me.

John Lennon got the idea for Come Together from Timothy Leary's campaign slogan against Ronald Reagan for California governor : "Come together, join the party". There has been great speculation about the lyrics. Some claim that each verse is a reference to a Beatle, while others claim it's a self portrait of John Lennon. The song itself has a deep bluesy vibe to it that makes it feel very early 60s. There is a bit of a debate over who did the back up vocals and who played the keyboard (whether it was Lennon or McCartney).

I don't want to leave her now. You know I believe and how.

Following Come Together on the A-side, George Harrison's love ballad Something. Written between many recording sessions,Something can be considered one of the greatest Beatles love song. Some claim that Harrison wrote the song for his wife at the time, Pattie Boyd, but in a 1996 interview, Harrison stated that he was thinking of Ray Charles while writing it. The music video contains footage of The Beatles couples at the time.

Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon her head.

Paul McCartney's first song on the A-side of Abbey Road is a whimsical song, detailing downfalls of life. Or better put as George Harrison claimed: "it's one of those instant whistle-along tunes which some people hate and other people really like. It's a fun song, but it's kind of a drag because Maxwell keeps on destroying everyone." Harrison is right, it is a fun song, but with a morbid tone. The way its sung and the tune, makes it sound like a quirky children's song you learn in kindergarten.

Oh! Darling, please believe me. I'll never do you no harm...

Oh!Darling is the fourth song on the A-side written and sung by Paul McCartney. Apparently, it's been considered, at least by John Lennon that it was one of McCartney's songs he didn't sing too well. It has a rough bluesy 50s-early 60s feel making it more of an R&B type of song.

I'd like to be, under the sea, in an octopus's garden with you.

Octopus's Garden was written by Ringo Starr, the funny Beatle. He collaborated with George Harrison to create a very folksy friendly song that often is considered as a song for children. Ringo encountered the idea on a trip in Sardinia where he was told about how an octopus gathers stones and objects to build its garden. This is Ringo's second solo and song he wrote.

I want you, I want you so bad...

This is the final song of the A-side. It is a bit unconventional to the typical Beatles' style. The guitar itself is deep and a bit heavy. It's slow paced and has that blues vibe, not to mention it's roughly 8 minutes long.

Here comes the sun, and I say, it's alright...

Arguably one of the most well known Beatles' songs, this is George Harrison's second song on Abbey Road. It is a gentle song with acoustic guitar that seems to emulate the sweet spiritual character of George Harrison.

Ah, because the world is round, it turns me on...

Because was written by John Lennon and based the melody off of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Apparently, the chords are the same chords of the sonata only played backwards. It is played on an electric harpsichord

The love you take... is equal to the love you make...

This is what many people consider as the climax of Abbey Road. The 'medley' per se consists of 8 short songs that segue into the next song.

The first song of the Medley is: You Never Give Me Your Money. Then it softly transitions to Sun King , which portrays the harmonies of Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison. After that it goes to the bouncy Mean Mr. Mustard, which was based off their experience in India. It immediately jumps into Polythene Pam, another Lennon contribution. Next is She Came in Through the Bathroom Window , which is actually based off of a true incident to McCartney.

Finally, the best , or what I deem the best for last of the medley in the form of a trio. Starting off with Golden Slumbers, a gentle and soothing song, fit for a lullaby, which is then followed by the more powerful and emotional Carry that Weight, which is then concluded by the climax of the album: The End, which includes Ringo's only drum solo, and the other three Beatles with guitar solos.