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The Beatles — We Can Work It Out
Album: Past Masters
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 969









Released: 1970
Length: 2:12
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Try to see it my way
Do I have to keep on talking till I can't go on?
While you see it your way
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone

We can work it out
We can work it out

Think of what you're saying
You can get it wrong and still you think that it's all right
Think of what I'm saying
We can work it out and get it straight or say goodnight

We can work it out
We can work it out

Life is very short and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend
I have always thought that it's a crime
So I will ask you once again

Try to see it my way
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we might fall apart before too long

We can work it out
We can work it out

Life is very short and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend
I have always thought that it's a crime
So I will ask you once again

Try to see it my way
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we might fall apart before too long

We can work it out
We can work it out
Comments (91)add comment
Great collaboration effort from this little known band. Singer 1 bubbling with optimism- Singer 2   with the slightly world weary refrain - life is very short, there’s no time for fussing and fighting my friend. Great stuff.
Posted 6 months ago by cambuddyf    [ Reply ]
One of Macca's best (with John contributing the middle 8). Godlike indeed. And all in 2'15".
Posted 1 year ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
If this is remastered, I prefer the original, to be honest.
Posted 1 year ago by WilliDoc    [ Reply ]


First issued as a double A-side single with "Day Tripper" in December 1965.  Unbelievable!

Posted 1 year ago by slates13    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

Is that an accordion I hear?



Nope, it is a Harmonium.  
Posted 2 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
The funny thing is, Bill's algorithm has either Pink Floyd or the Beatles follow Radiohead more often than not.  Been listening for 18 years. 
Posted 2 years ago by rlr511    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

Is that an accordion I hear?



It's a harmonium, I think.
Posted 2 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
The released mix is far better. That's why they put it on the original LP.
Posted 3 years ago by todbothom    [ Reply ]
wow

they sure nail those harmonies 
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
clearly God is missing from this equation  Scientist79 wrote:
From a single cell to humans.....from humans to the beatles


 

Posted 4 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
S-I-G-H
Posted 5 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Is that an accordion I hear?
Posted 9 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
What a mean, and awkwardly written, tune.

Still, a good 7. 
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
My favorite folk band, ilyAIMY, from Baltimore, does a neat cover of this.

https://ilyaimy.com
Posted 9 years ago by auburntigerrich    [ Reply ]
This was also on the Yesterday and Today LP.
Posted 9 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
In my teen years you were either a Stones fan or a Beatles fan. I was a Stones fan, but this was the Beatles song that turned me into loving them also.
Posted 10 years ago by The_Walrus    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano} ......... is G O D L I K E
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 Scientist79 wrote:

From a single cell to humans.....from humans to the beatles



 
unfortunately for us only four (if you count ringo) of us (humans) evolved into beatles.  

i only regret that they could not heed their own advice
Posted 11 years ago by gjr    [ Reply ]
Beatles = Godlike
Posted 11 years ago by Orodrigues    [ Reply ]

From a single cell to humans.....from humans to the beatles


Posted 11 years ago by Scientist79    [ Reply ]
Consummate composers, lyricists, and performers.  Their music will last as long as Brahms and Mozart.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Everyone in you-know-who's church loves this one :)
Posted 11 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church is dancing...  love this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]

as marvelous as ever to this day...  incredible song forever...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
"Life is very short..."

Greatest middle eight in pop history? I challenge you to find a better one.
 
In all of my best songs, the crux of the matter should wait for the middle eight. 
Posted 12 years ago by pianocomposer    [ Reply ]
 TJS wrote:
I'm really not a Beatles fan, but this is one of the handful of their songs that I truly love.  10.
 
My personal favorite. {#Biggrin}
Posted 12 years ago by rushed    [ Reply ]
I'm really not a Beatles fan, but this is one of the handful of their songs that I truly love.  10.
Posted 12 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
"Life is very short..."

Greatest middle eight in pop history? I challenge you to find a better one.
 
Not being a musician (but an intensely curious person of eclectic tastes), the above led me off into internet realms to delve into "the middle eight". The current theme is the structure of things.  (I guess it's finally time to read The End of Bigness)  This fit right in. Thanks!
I'll keep a look-see for good middle eights. 
Posted 12 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
"Life is very short..."

Greatest middle eight in pop history? I challenge you to find a better one.
 
Is it really a middle eight? Surely it's just a verse?
Posted 12 years ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
you don't hear harmony like that anymore-classic
Posted 12 years ago by pinem    [ Reply ]
True Beatles harmony at its best!
Posted 12 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
"Life is very short..."

Greatest middle eight in pop history? I challenge you to find a better one.
 
Hmmm, I hadn't really thought about that before.  There are some great middle eights (though this particular example is really more of a "bridge") throughout popular music history; they don't seem to be as prevalent anymore.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
People and Governments of the World !!!  Were you listening? We can work it out!

Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
"Life is very short..."

Greatest middle eight in pop history? I challenge you to find a better one.
Posted 13 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
   ..more than the same 5 words I've ever you seen written by you. You must have been furious to carry on like that (lol) . I appreciate the effort too. But to clarify, my spelling and meaning stands. It was a metaphor, Mr. Literacy. And a pretty good one I think.

 Beatles music is the overly processed easily digestible food that makes you purr like a slobbering diaper wrapped toddler. Literate people can see the Beatles for the commercial hype that they were and are.  As for the capitalization point, I'm not so enamored with corporate anything that I feel it deserves grammatical respect. You can put your nose up corporate America's butt for all I care, and give it a great big smoooch. That's just not my style... 


 

Wow, did someone pyss in your Cheerios for one whole year straight?  And do me a big favor — don't sit next to me at dinner either, because I might be inclined to make you wear your macaroni and cheese.{#Whistle}

Posted 14 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
   You're using 2nd year historiography guides to make points in a discussion of cultural taste ?  I'm gonna guess - you're either in college, you wish you were in college or those years were just the best you've ever had and you can't let go.. straw man's a little off the map here but whatever.

 Here's a refresher on literacy and reasoning my little academe - cognitive skills developed through ritual of book reading and improvement of reading skills:
- Grammar, syntax, spelling and vocabulary.
- Ability to delay impulse toward immediate gratification
- Critical thinking
..agreed then -reasoning and literacy are different; but you obfuscate the point. They have a positive correlation. As one goes, so goes the other.

Now, to anyone who doesn't already know: Ann Coulter has been described as a right wing corporate lacky,  but you should decide for yourself. An example of A.C's intellectual acumen? -  Coulter: "I do think anyone named B. Hussein Obama should avoid using 'hijack' and 'religion' in the same sentence"    there's a lot that could be said after that but I won't


  
STFU!! 

Posted 14 years ago by PeteyGreens    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:
On a more important point: what's the "Past Master" album? Wasn't this on one of the "regular" albums?
 
I don't have my references here at work, but in England it was issued as a single b/w "Day Tripper" at the end of 1965. I'm pretty sure it showed up later on one of Capitol's unfortunate hashes, Yesterday and Today. So, it was really a single that was later on one of the American pseudo-albums.

Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:
literate people generally love the Beatles...
 
Call me semi-literate then, innit?  {#Whistle}
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
   ..more than the same 5 words I've ever you seen written by you. You must have been furious to carry on like that (lol) . I appreciate the effort too. But to clarify, my spelling and meaning stands. It was a metaphor, Mr. Literacy. And a pretty good one I think.

 Beatles music is the overly processed easily digestible food that makes you purr like a slobbering diaper wrapped toddler. Literate people can see the Beatles for the commercial hype that they were and are.  As for the capitalization point, I'm not so enamored with corporate anything that I feel it deserves grammatical respect. You can put your nose up corporate America's butt for all I care, and give it a great big smoooch. That's just not my style... 


 
Bet you're a hoot at dinner parties. {#Whistle}

Posted 14 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
On a more important point: what's the "Past Master" album? Wasn't this on one of the "regular" albums?
Posted 14 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
   ..more than the same 5 words I've ever you seen written by you. You must have been furious to carry on like that (lol) . I appreciate the effort too. But to clarify, my spelling and meaning stands. It was a metaphor, Mr. Literacy. And a pretty good one I think.

 Beatles music is the overly processed easily digestible food that makes you purr like a slobbering diaper wrapped toddler. Literate people can see the Beatles for the commercial hype that they were and are.  As for the capitalization point, I'm not so enamored with corporate anything that I feel it deserves grammatical respect. You can put your nose up corporate America's butt for all I care, and give it a great big smoooch. That's just not my style... 


 
Ahem: "diaper wrapped" should be hypenated, Mr. Literacy.
Posted 14 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
This is one of the earlier Beatles songs that, to me, shows a sort of promise but does not fully realize the potential of its idea and execution. Which is to say, the melody is really catchy and strong and the lyrics are well crafted, but the combination is used up too early. As with Yesterday, I think in their later years they would have expanded more. Possibly this song is better for not being treated that way, but it has a sort of ephemeral quality for me.
Posted 14 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Man, I'm a little emotional tonight...this song evokes beauty and pain.

Posted 14 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Fire bad.  Tree pretty.  I love the Beatles.
 
Thanks, I needed that!...hahahaha
Posted 14 years ago by df1489    [ Reply ]
Fire bad.  Tree pretty.  I love the Beatles.
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
   You're using 2nd year historiography guides to make points in a discussion of cultural taste ?  I'm gonna guess - you're either in college, you wish you were in college or those years were just the best you've ever had and you can't let go.. straw man's a little off the map here but whatever.

 Here's a refresher on literacy and reasoning my little academe - cognitive skills developed through ritual of book reading and improvement of reading skills:
- Grammar, syntax, spelling and vocabulary.
- Ability to delay impulse toward immediate gratification
- Critical thinking
..agreed then -reasoning and literacy are different; but you obfuscate the point. They have a positive correlation. As one goes, so goes the other.

Now, to anyone who doesn't already know: Ann Coulter has been described as a right wing corporate lacky,  but you should decide for yourself. An example of A.C's intellectual acumen? -  Coulter: "I do think anyone named B. Hussein Obama should avoid using 'hijack' and 'religion' in the same sentence"    there's a lot that could be said after that but I won't


 

"In a discussion of cultural taste", or really any discussion, it isn't appropriate to use a straw man like "literate people".  It implies an intellectual high ground, which besides being bad form, begs the question: you're literate because of the way you write, not because you say you are.

On the subject at hand, the song has an 8.8 rating, which in your universe would imply that the illiterates have ruled the day.

These ratings have nothing to do with literacy, and everything to do with what people like.

And at an 8.8 rating, people appear to like it.
  
Bottom line: to say "Literate people can see the Beatles for the commercial hype that they were and are" is just bullshit.


Posted 14 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:

More bullshit.

Check out "The Straw Man" here:

https://skepticreport.com/sr/?p=152

Then, if you're interested, check out the opening sentence of Godless by Ann Coulter.

Literacy and reasoning skills are two different things.

    You're using 2nd year historiography guides to make points in a discussion of cultural taste ?  I'm gonna guess - you're either in college, you wish you were in college or those years were just the best you've ever had and you can't let go.. straw man's a little off the map here but whatever.

 Here's a refresher on literacy and reasoning my little academe - cognitive skills developed through ritual of book reading and improvement of reading skills:
- Grammar, syntax, spelling and vocabulary.
- Ability to delay impulse toward immediate gratification
- Critical thinking
..agreed then -reasoning and literacy are different; but you obfuscate the point. They have a positive correlation. As one goes, so goes the other.

Now, to anyone who doesn't already know: Ann Coulter has been described as a right wing corporate lacky,  but you should decide for yourself. An example of A.C's intellectual acumen? -  Coulter: "I do think anyone named B. Hussein Obama should avoid using 'hijack' and 'religion' in the same sentence"    there's a lot that could be said after that but I won't




Posted 14 years ago by midreaming    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:
   ..more than the same 5 words I've ever you seen written by you. You must have been furious to carry on like that (lol) . I appreciate the effort too. But to clarify, my spelling and meaning stands. It was a metaphor, Mr. Literacy. And a pretty good one I think.

 Beatles music is the overly processed easily digestible food that makes you purr like a slobbering diaper wrapped toddler. Literate people can see the Beatles for the commercial hype that they were and are.  As for the capitalization point, I'm not so enamored with corporate anything that I feel it deserves grammatical respect. You can put your nose up corporate America's butt for all I care, and give it a great big smoooch. That's just not my style... 


 
More bullshit.

Check out "The Straw Man" here:

https://skepticreport.com/sr/?p=152

Then, if you're interested, check out the opening sentence of Godless by Ann Coulter.

Literacy and reasoning skills are two different things.

Posted 14 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:

Uh, Pablum is a processed cereal for infants originally marketed by the Mead Johnson Company in 1931...  so if that is what you mean, then it should be capitalized... but I think what you are trying to say in a very illiterate way is "pabulum"...  with your illiteracy you demonstrate what a cretinous critic you are...

literate people generally love the Beatles...


    ..more than the same 5 words I've ever you seen written by you. You must have been furious to carry on like that (lol) . I appreciate the effort too. But to clarify, my spelling and meaning stands. It was a metaphor, Mr. Literacy. And a pretty good one I think.

 Beatles music is the overly processed easily digestible food that makes you purr like a slobbering diaper wrapped toddler. Literate people can see the Beatles for the commercial hype that they were and are.  As for the capitalization point, I'm not so enamored with corporate anything that I feel it deserves grammatical respect. You can put your nose up corporate America's butt for all I care, and give it a great big smoooch. That's just not my style... 




Posted 14 years ago by midreaming    [ Reply ]
 midreaming wrote:

  This confirms everything I believe about the Beatles and their fans.   one word...  pablum


 

How?

One word .... bullshit.
Posted 14 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]

  This confirms everything I believe about the Beatles and their fans.   one word...  pablum

romeotuma wrote:
This is a great song...  love the way it goes into the minor key in the middle eight, when Lennon sings the chorus part...  the Beatles were the Shakespeare of rock-n-roll...

 keller1 wrote:

Especially the "life is very short" line.  Wow ...
  


Posted 14 years ago by midreaming    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of a schoolboy joke:

Q: How do mathematicians deal with constipation?
A: They work it out with a pencil.

I'll get me coat...
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


love it love it love it love it...
 
Must ask, are you rating everything 10? 
Posted 14 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
classic
Posted 14 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
{#Yes}{#Hearteyes} Mugro wrote:
It's really incredible how fresh this song sounds after almost 50 years.
 


Posted 14 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
It's really incredible how fresh this song sounds after almost 50 years.
Posted 14 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
 supremo wrote:

You mean that Lennon/McCartney crap...

 

No, that Radiohead crap.
Posted 14 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This is a great song...  love the way it goes into the minor key in the middle eight, when Lennon sings the chorus part...  the Beatles were the Shakespeare of rock-n-roll...
 

Especially the "life is very short" line.  Wow ...
Posted 14 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

You mean that David Byrne/Talking Heads crap...

 
Keep the Porcupine Tree and play more Beatles, too..  No reason to limit a brave and brilliant man's output, namely Steven Wilson.

Posted 15 years ago by PeteyGreens    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 supremo wrote:

You mean that Lennon/McCartney crap...

 

Ummmmmmmmmmm...........NO{#No}
Posted 15 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

yes, those Peedles cudent do anyting write

 
LOL{#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Rubber Soul — the glorious era.
Posted 15 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 ICHawk wrote:
2:30 of perfectly crafted pop song.
 
In STEREO too!

Posted 15 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
2:30 of perfectly crafted pop song.
Posted 15 years ago by ICHawk    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This is a great song...  love the way it goes into the minor key in the middle eight, when Lennon sings the chorus part...  the Beatles were the Shakespeare of rock-n-roll...
 
Right on! I saw Paul do this song at Coachella in April. I wish I could have seen The Beatles, but they quit touring before I was old enough for stuff like that.{#Cry}

All you haters? Kiss my {#Ass}.

Both cheeks, and in the middle! {#Wave}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
It just gets better with age.
Posted 15 years ago by Ropes    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

You mean that David Byrne/Talking Heads crap...

 
You mean that Lennon/McCartney crap...

Posted 15 years ago by supremo    [ Reply ]
 dmdurney wrote:

its pathedic.  a 1st grade music class could compose better music than the beetles. its too bad they wasted so much pencil 

 
yes, those Peedles cudent do anyting write

Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 Mugro wrote:

{#Yes}

Bill should move over a little of that Porcupine Tree shit and put more Beatles in!

 
You mean that David Byrne/Talking Heads crap...

Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 El_Penguino wrote:
For me longevity of the art is the true measure of a band.
 

Alot of truth to that statement. But include artists, poets, writers, and all of the creative arts.
Posted 15 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
 erichb wrote:
Shocking that this is the 1st time this has been spun on RP
 
There's a version of this song off of 'One' that was played before this version.

Posted 15 years ago by supremo    [ Reply ]
I'll always love it...
Posted 15 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 erichb wrote:
Shocking that this is the 1st time this has been spun on RP
 
{#Yes}

Bill should move over a little of that Porcupine Tree shit and put more Beatles in!

Posted 15 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
 VicEdee wrote:
not even a favorite Beatle's song,
but - it's amazing how it STANDS OUT from the other music played.............
 

its pathedic.  a 1st grade music class could compose better music than the beetles. its too bad they wasted so much pencil 

Posted 15 years ago by dmdurney    [ Reply ]
As much as I like this song, it is one that seems to have run its course in my brain. There are Beatles songs that are more like sketches for songs that could have been more fully realized. This is one of them. One can see the potential for what was to come.
Posted 15 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
me first comment. to bad I have nothing interesting to say.
{#Cheers}
Posted 15 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
For me longevity of the art is the true measure of a band.
Posted 15 years ago by El_Penguino    [ Reply ]
Shocking that this is the 1st time this has been spun on RP
Posted 15 years ago by erichb    [ Reply ]
not even a favorite Beatle's song,
but - it's amazing how it STANDS OUT from the other music played.............
Posted 15 years ago by VicEdee    [ Reply ]