Why ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ / ‘Penny Lane’ is the greatest single of all time…

If you enjoy this video, then please consider checking out my ongoing White Album series where I take a in-depth look into each track on the album: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmlgynYCJ-Yx5jYiQjAUHoj…

I was in college in Ohio when Magical Mystery Tour came out. Someone on the street held the record above his head and said "I've got the new Beatles record." A crowd of total strangers began following him, like the Pied Piper. We all ended up in a totally darkened room, sitting in a circle. We listened to both sides without a sound, several pipes circulating in the darkness. The Sixties were magical, and the Beatles were a big part of that magic.

I was twelve years old when the single came out and Strawberry Fields Forever changed my musical tastes for the rest of my life. I must have listened to the single hundreds of times over the next few months. I became an instant superfan of the Beatles. It led me to become a lover of all avant-garde music which I am still to this day. I've always thought SFF/P: was by far the greatest single ever. It's wonderful that younger generations can still appreciate how mind-blowing and ground-breaking it was.

The single may not have reached number one in Britain, but Penny Lane became number one in America.

The childhood theme, the videos, the advancement in technology, the creative jump, the double A sided, makes this masterpiece the greatest single of all time.

Ps I just saw Paul at the “ Hollywood F____ing Bowl!” He was a performer at Jimmy Buffet memorial concert . I had to restrain myself a little from SCREAMING , as I was 9 when the Beatles hit , and I was screaming then and now ! Now and Then ,,, MEATLESS MONDAYS !

Bravo. My sentiments exactly. This single is like when Dorothy opens the door to the colorful land of Oz in the movie “The Wizard of Oz”. An interesting side note, I was exposed to SFF early as it was first released on one of the very first American bootlegs. Entitled : “The Beatles Original Greatest Hits” on Suta Records here in the US. Interestingly, besides SFF, that LP contained only early Beatles songs from the first year (including the Ringo drums version of Love Me Do) but plugged Strawberry Fields Forever” on the front cover. I’m pretty sure that release was mob backed and an early pirated tape was smuggled from the UK before its official release here in the US. My grandad picked up the LP in Grand Central Station in NYC on the way to a visit to see my family in 1967.

I agree. I loved these two songs.

You're right on here. That much music power on a "single" record? Can't be topped. Both of those songs will be being played and known to people for hundreds of years to come I would think.

You’ve really upped the game when it comes to production value here! Great video and you make a very good case for this being the greatest single, it’s very difficult to argue anything otherwise, only other contenders for me would be something like Waterloo Sunset or This Charming Man but they don’t have great/iconic b sides

An excellent review of the greatest single of all-time!

I have to admit when this single came out, I was't really over keen on it . But it grew on me, and it is one of the best singles of time. I do think Strawberry fields could have slotted into SGT Pepper, somewhere, and it was a crime it did't reach number one ,I guess the public were not quite ready ,but the fans were hence the success of SGT Pepper.

Great video. Got the feeling the channel is about to explode.

This was in a period where the between albums singles would have fit right into the next album. These two could be right at home in Sgt. Pepper.

Yes it is the greatest single ever released along with the two promo films made for each song.

Paperback Writer/Rain. The single that finished their transition, unbeatable.

Paperback Writer/ Rain, is another perfect 🥰 single

You couldn't be more right, mate. SFF is my favorite all time song, and PL is easily in my top 50 - if not 20. EASILY the greatest single in the history of recorded humanity.

I can't believe that there's not even a mention of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry, Baby" b.w. "I Get Around". That was a pretty d---n strong double A-side as well!

George Martin challenged John and Paul to each write a song about their childhood, so they had a single to release to tide over the fans while they spent extra time on Pepper. Sadly both were not included on Pepper