#172 – You Won’t See Me with Sean Nelson (singer/songwriter, writer, ex-Harvey Danger)

As one of several songs Paul wrote at the end of 1965 during a rough patch with Jane Asher, “You Won’t See Me” provides a glimpse into the real-life on-goings of Paul McCartney, something listeners only ever get careful, glancing views of. With this piano-driven, Motown influenced track, buoyed by an incredibly strong vocal, the lads create something that sounds fresh even today. Recorded on the last day of Rubber Soul sessions, the song showcases a Paul who’s hurt, a bit angry and salty, but also completely desperate to get his partner back. It’s a fantastic track on a fantastic album, and the only drawback may be that it kind of reveals itself to you completely rather early on. But to paraphrase Macca, “it’s the bloody Beatles’ Rubber Soul, shut up, Jonathan.”

Returning to the pod this week is singer, songwriter, writer, and fellow Beatles nerd Sean Nelson! In this episode, we touch on a LOT of topics…Paul planting his flag in the sand on this record, relationships between Beatles and their partners, and Paul’s ability to show us exactly how much he wants us to see. We also talk Sean’s brilliant Harry Nilsson covers album Nelson Sings Nilsson, drinking with Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, and how Sean’s old band ended up providing the theme song to a beloved British television comedy. 

Check out Nelson Sings Nilsson as well as Sean’s other solo album Make Good Choices and Harvey Danger’s 3 albums anywhere you get your music, then thank us later. Songs in this episode include

“Gotta Get Up” – Sean Nelson, Nelson Sings Nilsson
“Meetings With Remarkable Men (Show Me The Hero)” – Harvey Danger, King James Version
“Daddy’s Song” – Sean Nelson, Nelson Sings Nilsson
“Don’t Forget Me” – Sean Nelson, Nelson Sing Nilsson

What do you think? Too high? To low? Just right? Be sure to follow along, leave your comments, and join in on the discussion on the rankings at Facebook (facebook.com/rankingthebeatles), on Twitter @rankingbeatles, and on Instagram @rankingthebeatles. Enjoying the show and want to show your support? Check out https://anchor.fm/rankingthebeatles/support!

Reviews

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Judge Timbers

Ranking the songs of the Beatles? What could possibly go wrong? But somehow this podcast gets it just right thanks to the wit and charm of the co-hosts and their guests. The listener quickly discovers the rankings are used not to incite heated arguments but rather as a starting point to spark a positive deep dive into every Beatle song. Put simply, Ranking The Beatles is a welcome addition to the Beatle podcast universe.

spazaru

Required listening if you like The Beatles at all. Great guests every week and Jonathan and Julia are fun and genuinely funny (even the tired Mike Love jokes). I listen every Tuesday morning as soon as I wake up. One week around Christmas they took the week off so I just slept the whole week until there was a new episode. It was worth the wait.

finfan64

Nice to see a truly excellent new Beatles podcast. This one is hosted by a very appealing young couple, who along with their well selected guests, have a winning combination of professional musical knowledge and the enthusiasm of fans. It’s an interesting format that by definition promises to only get better as it goes along. If they can make the “Only a Northern Song” episode good then they’re unstoppable

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