What better way to celebrate MLL’s 300th post than with The Beatles? I really like today’s video – it’s casual, fun & without a billion screaming girls!
Ticket to Ride became a single in April of 1965 and was from the band’s 10th North American release, Help! The lyrics were primarily written by Lennon, though it was officially credited to Lennon/McCartney. There was dispute surrounding McCartney’s actual contribution from Lennon, with McCartney saying he wrote more of the song than Lennon had stated.
Disputes were also carried to the song’s title. McCartney stated that the title was inspired by “a British Railways ticket to the town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight,” which has been today’s consensus. However, Don Short, a journalist who traveled with The Beatles during the 1960′s, claimed Lennon said it came from, “cards indicating a clean bill of health carried by Hamburg prostitutes in the 1960s.” Short also added, ” John could of been joking – you had to be careful with him like that.”
The track was very successful in the United States, Canada, and the UK charting at #1. After it made the #1 spot in the US, the Beatles became the 4th consecutive British group to hold the top spot. It was also their third of six number one singles in a row.
In 1969, the Carpenters released a cover version. Listen to it HERE. Very different than the original…not really my taste but I thought I’d share it anyways!
