Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (studio album) by The Beatles

There have been moments since its release, when I have grown tired of some of the tracks. That it has never strayed far from best-selling, and all-time favourite, album lists, so long after its June 1967 release, is mainly due to the album's energy, spirit and general quality throughout. Made when The Beatles had stopped touring, but were still eagerly composing and preparing great music in the recording studio, gives it a very special quality. Pepper was the first of the tragically few albums that bear witness to the immense but short-lived artistic fuse of the band as they were finally able to concentrate on playing & recording great music in the confines of a studio rather than on the frenzied gigs.

"A Day in the Life" has become, for many of the band's musical fans, one of their most favoured tracks. The title track still sounds good, and still produced a significant audience response, when covered by McCartney on his most recent tours. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Within You Without You" (George Harrison's great offering), and "She's Leaving Home", all great pop/rock classics, remain among their best ever songs.

The Beatles were also often humorous critics of the society that made them entertainment icons. "Lovely Rita" and "Fixing a Hole", particularly the latter, are everyday life odes, almost in the perceptive mould of The Kinks' or The Small Faces'.

It is not my own personal favourite, but it is certainly one of the best records that the Beatles ever made and one of the first albums that someone collecting their work will want to have. Even if it did not represent the 1967 Summer of Love as well as its Californian counterparts, it was undoubtedly the best album of Rock Music's most important summer.

Outstanding Tracks: Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds; Within You Without You; With a Little Help From My Friends; She's Leaving Home & the masterpiece, A Day in the Life

At the Grammys in 1968 this was selected as the album of the year. Best choice of those shortlisted IMO

From DJFresh-Rock 12/29/2024 03:28

Once in a generation, a real game-changer comes along. The Beatles seemed to manage this feat every year or so in the late 60s. The innovative stylings of Sgt. Pepper’s… still stand tall today, and the melodies are of such good quality that you can easily forgive the occasional lyrical misstep.

Like really, most important or influential album? Those who think this is more influential forget the chain of events…

Bob Dylan Covers House Of The Rising Sun
The Animals Cover Houses Of The Rising Sun
Bob Dylan’s Electric Debut At Newport Folk Festival
Bob Dylan Releases Highway 61 Revisited
The Beatles Release Rubber Soul
The Beach Boys Release Pet Sounds
The Beatles Release Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Summer Of Love, 1967
By 1968 Everybody Forgets Psychedelic Music
Seriously, A Hard Day’s Night is better than this album. I LOVE The Beatles, but there’s only 2 OUTSTANDING songs here, the Title Track and A Day In The Life. The rest is mediocre to crap. Just not worth the hype.

I listen to this again and again and my opinion drops, I can't hear what the critics rave about this album, only the title song is good.
They have a mass of brilliant songs, but I haven't heard a complete album that blows my mind.

It's a good album, but I think it's overrated.

Very much the Best Ever Wings album this, with 3 contributions from Lennon and 1 from Harrison. Strawberry Fields Forever was supposed to be in here somewhere but something went wrong. I suppose it would be a real treat with it, this one ;)

Album Rating: 74.00
(888/12)

26.05.1967

The Beatles (UK): Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

It was revolutionary and I preferred this album, as a child. But then you compare it to the likes of Velvet Underground & Nico, which was released earlier in the same year, and Sgt Pepper seems a bit childish and dated compared to that. '

Nowhere near as good as Abbey Road, Revolver or even The White Album

A Day In The Life' is still as wonderful as ever.

1.Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 65
2.With A Little Help From My Friends 74
3.Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 73
4.Getting Better 77
5.Fixing A Hole 70
6.She's Leaving Home 81
7.Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! 77
8.Within You Without You 70
9.When I'm Sixty-Four 58
10.Lovely Rita 76
11.Good Morning Good Morning 67
12.Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) n/a (66) n/a
13.A Day In The Life 100

In order:
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - A Day In The Life 100
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - She's Leaving Home 81
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Getting Better 77
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! 77
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Lovely Rita 76
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - With A Little Help From My Friends 74
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 73
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Fixing A Hole 70
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Within You Without You 70
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Good Morning Good Morning 67
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) n/a (66) n/a
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 65
The Beatles (SPLHCB) - When I'm Sixty-Four 58

A milestone in the history of music

Not my favorite Beatles record. I love Abbey Road, Revolver, and the White Album more. However, that does not take away from the level of influence, creativity, or quality of this album. This was the album that I first heard from the Beatles. I fell in love with them and this album. Just listened to the 50th remastered version and sonically it’s fantastic. Day in the Life could be the best track the Beatles ever recorded…phenomenal. The saddest part of this album is their stupid record company forcing them to release a single (Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever) ahead of this release. If these were included on this album it would have only increased the level of brilliance. Sadly those songs were added to US version of Magical Mystery Tour