We Can't Work It Out: The Fab War -- Round 6

"She Said, She Said" v. "Penny Lane" v. "Not Guilty" v.
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)"

I almost wish the track listing would have worked out so that A-side faced B-side; but I think the winner would be the same -- "Penny Lane" would bulldoze a path through "Strawberry Fields." When I was younger, I adored Lennon's experimentation. Now that I'm older, I still admire it, but it doesn't seem to have enough room in one song to truly breathe. "Penny Lane" is still innovative, but in subtle ways that don't overshadow the melody's own beauty. "Penny Lane" is a perfect pop symphony.

"Not Guilty," a White Album outtake, is a gorgeously prototypical George composition that deserved to be released on the album. Beautiful as it is, however, the tune is too soft-spoken to outshine "She Said, She Said" which hangs on a happy riff that betrayws the lyric's loathing. One of the tracks that made Revolver a blast, "She Said" places John in second this round.

The reprise of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" opens with a barrage of drumming that may stand as Ringo's best recorded work. Sadly underrated, this song deserves to do better than last, and it would in any other competition.

This round:

John - 3
Paul - 4
George - 2
Ringo - 1

Totals thus far:

Paul - 20
John - 18
George - 13
Ringo - 9