Please see my introduction and explanation about this project here.
I grew up and came of age with the soundtrack version of this album as released in the United States by Capitol Records, so my familiarity with this as an album is relatively new. I think the first time I listened to A Hard Day’s Night as the band intended was in 2009 when the box set was released. It’s a great record with plenty of solid songs and shows how the band was firing on all cylinders at this point in their career. Not one cover song on this album. This is the “early” Beatles at their peak.
Presented in order from least to most favorite, in a highly subjective (and subject to change) manner:
“When I Get Home”
Simply a great rock and roll song (and I love the ending)
“I’ll Be Back”
A great ballad (though it would be a great rocker as well)
“If I Fell”
Tentative young love
“Things We Said Today”
A decent picture of a long distance relationship
“Tell Me Why”
I love the guitar work on this one
“And I Love Her”
An interesting ballad with the musical and lyrical arrangement
“Any Time at All”
The ending on this is awesome, sure it’s been done countless times since then, but at the time it was relatively new
“You Can’t Do That”
The musical structure and arrangement on this one is fantastic for this point in their career
“I’ll Cry Instead”
It almost sounds like a Carl Perkins cover
“I’m Happy Just to Dance with You”
Kind of innocent and sweet
“A Hard Day’s Night”
Oh, that opening chord
“I Should Have Known Better”
How can you not love this song?
“Can’t Buy Me Love”
Often mocked for the sentiment it is still a great tune and shows what the band wants to emphasize