A perfect three minute pop song?

Here is a 1965 promotional film (what they used to call music videos) the Beatles made for one of their best pre-Sgt. Pepper singles, "Ticket to Ride". I love how poorly (sometimes intentionally) they lip-synch. Only disingenuous performers could take lip-synching seriously, and the Beatles were usually all about being honest and cutting through the bull. I think Lennon looks particularly cool in this one. The camera frames his face in close-up a couple of times.



Within a year John Lennon would be writing lyrics such as Lay down all thought, surrender to the void ("Tomorrow Never Knows" off of Revolver)and "Always, no sometimes, think it's me, but you know I know when it's a dream" (from "Strawberry Fields Forever").

"Ticket to Ride" was on the Help! soundtrack.

John Lennon believed "Ticket to Ride" was one of the earliest heavy-metal records (droning bassline, repeating drums, and loaded guitar lines).

It's a Lennon song, but Paul McCartney came up with the lopsided drum pattern.

The guitar solo was played by Paul, the first time the bassist played lead guitar on a Beatles record.

It's among a trio of songs from this period in which the guitar lick was the primary focus (the others being "I Feel Fine" and "Day Tripper").

This was the first Beatles song that was over 3 minutes long.

The Carpenters covered this in 1969. It was their first single.