I can't remember if Lennon talked about "Run for Your Life" in the interviews he did with... I don't remember even though I have the book, the long interview he did right before he was killed. Anyway, the interviewer went through the Beatles catalog asking Lennon to comment on songs. Maybe his comments totally contradict this, but I've always assumed that "Run for Your Life" was Lennon's extrapolation of "Baby, Let's Play House". He was a huge Elvis fan & almost certainly knew the song. John ratcheted up the nastiness, but "I'd rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man" was received vileness, not something randomly popping out of Lennon's head. Which may not make it any less hateful to you. I'm just saying the song came out of a long tradition, much older than Elvis's version, and a tradition in which Lennon was steeped.

I Want You (She's So Heavy)

This is quite possibly my least favorite song ever, not just my least-favorite Beatles song.

I like covers of Beatles songs now more than the originals: same great taste, fresh new packaging! My current fave is Marisa Monte doing "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)".

This is quite possibly my least favorite song ever, not just my least-favorite Beatles song.

How come? Too much menace? Not enough something?

My current fave is Marisa Monte doing "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)".

Technically a George Harrison solo song, but we'll allow it.

Being a rock snob I prefer things like...soul musician covers of Bee Gee songs (of which there are many).

Beatles covers. Hmm, well they're one of the few bands who actually improved on the songs of other musicians. Notably on "Money" and even "Twist and Shout." For people covering the Beatles...I've always liked Earth, Wind and Fire's "Got To Get You Into My Life."

Someone doesn't like U2:

The eleven worst songs of 2004

This is quite possibly my least favorite song ever, not just my least-favorite Beatles song.

I've always disliked that song. The damned thing never ends.

For people covering the Beatles...

Jeff Beck's cover of "She's a Woman" on Blow by Blow is pretty great -- and both versions were produced by George Martin!

Someone doesn't like U2

Proof that the internet is a fun way to kill time, ch. 1,678,921: U2 hater provides a handy French translation for some reason. Couldn't let that pass without popping it into Babelfish, now could I?

• "When U2 did it leave a tube for the last time?"
  
• "Whore of assholes which tell it..."
  
• "Can be that U2 would be less to shit if they stopped a little playing the donors of lesson and that they started to tear a little."

Sorry to run, but like U2, I too must leave a tube, not for the last time I hope.

Siouxsie does a lovely "Dear Prudence."

t re-lurkety

Beatles covers I like:

Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help from My Friends" (hearing it every week at the beginning of the Wonder Years did nothing to diminish my love for it either)
Fiona Apple's "Across the Universe"
Eddie Vedder's "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"
U2's "Helter Skelter"

Phish used to do tons of Beatles covers, once playing the entire White album in order. But they do an especially lovely "Blackbird."
I used to have a tape of XTC doing "Strawberry Fields Forever" from a radio show. Great.

I found a somewhat comprehensive if not hard to read list of Beatles covers (including covers that the Beatles performed) here.

God, who knew there were SO many reggae Beatles tribute albums?

I love the Laibach Let it Be, especiually their surprising "Across the Universe."

Someone doesn't like U2:

I think that guy used to have a different page about how much he hates U2. I don't get the appeal of making a hate page, but I applaud his persistence.