The Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night (1964) Review

The Beatles’ 1964 album, A Hard Day’s Night, is the perfect representation of their early sound. The album is full of early jangle-pop and Rickenbacker guitars. From the iconic intro track to the end of “I’ll Be Back,” the album is the Beatles’ first truly timeless album.

“A Hard Day’s Night” is one of the first jangle-pop songs and the sound of a Rickenbacker always does it for me. The solo is super memorable, the cowbell rules and John’s vocals are great. I love the outro guitar you can clearly hear the tone The Smiths would use 20 years later.

“I Should’ve Known Better” is a good song all around. The vocal melody during the bridge is fantastic. The guitar work is so simple, yet so good, and jangly, and bright. “If I Fell” has some great quintessential Beatles harmonies. The song is good but it’s not the best that this album has to offer.

“I’m Happy Just To Dance With You” is a fun and pretty little song that is a charming highlight for me. The instrumental is solid and the bridge is the best part of the song. Saying The Beatles were great and gifted at writing melodies would be an obvious understatement.

“And I Love Her” is a genuinely incredible song and a major highlight on the album. Everything on this track works, from the guitar work to the vocals with pretty and dramatic lyrics. The classical guitar feels fresh right after the past few songs had similar soundscapes. The arpeggios on this song are great and this song trumps the two big singles on this album.

“Tell Me Why” is a solid song that has upbeat music but with more pessimistic lyrics. John’s falsetto is my favorite part of the song. “Can’t Buy Me Love” is another classic early Beatles song. It is a perfect representation of the best of their early years. The guitar’s got a great sound, especially during the solo and that is a recurring feature throughout this whole album. Paul McCartney’s vocals, particularly on this track, are iconic and memorable.

“Anytime at All” is a decent straightforward track. The vocal performance is passionate. Opening with the chorus works so well since the chorus is the best part of the song. “I’ll Cry Instead” is a straightforward mopey John Lennon song. It’s fine overall, but definitely not in the top end for songs on A Hard Day’s Night.

“The Things We Said Today” shows how Paul’s songwriting was really beginning to shine. It’s an excellent song that is both laid-back and dreamy sounding. “When I Get Home” has an insane guitar tone. It basically sounds like garage rock. The bridge, once again, is one of the best parts of the song, and the vocal performance is strong.

“You Can’t Do That” sounds very rock and roll inspired. The song has an upbeat instrumental with typical jealous John lyrics. It’s fine, but not my favorite. The closing track on the album is “I’ll Be Back” and it is good. It has great vocals by John, but the only thing is that it doesn’t feel like a closing track. I think something like “Anytime at All” or “Can’t Buy Me Love” might’ve been better, but what do I fucking know, I’m not the Beatles.

A Hard Day’s Night is arguably the Beatles’ first great album or at least the best album of their early years. Not many bands have accomplished what the Beatles did in under 10 years and we still haven’t even begun any of the albums that make the Beatles the greatest of all time.

8/10 - Great