Why Do People Hate Mr. Moonlight by the Beatles?

Yeah, the organ sounds "cheesy", but it's not a joke. The way that they chose to perform the song was an affectionate nod to the older music that they loved. I suspect that listeners who are not familiar with this sort of music might not immediately get that.

 

Two word answer - "it's corny"

 

The song is kind of cheesy ,but ironically it contains one of Lennon’s best vocals ever,IMHO

 

Although the organ sound alone makes it - after the exclusively-Beatles songwriting tour-de-force that was A Hard Day's Night most of the covers on this album pale. Does anyone think that had The Beatles been given more time to put together a whole LP's worth of original compositions, they would have?

 

I think Mr. Moonlight is great! Lennon's vocal is strong and it sounds like he's having a lot of fun recording it. If not, it sure sounds like he is.

 

I dont see why the choice always comes down to those two tracks.
I dont particularly like Rock and Roll Music and would gladly trade its place for Kitten.

 

Another vote for outstanding Lennon vocal.

 

I don't hate it, but I do think it's the weakest track on Beatles For Sale/Beatles '65. As for covers during this period, I think "Bad Boy", "Dizzy Miss Lizzie", "Kansas City", and "Honey Don't" are great! They crackle with raw rock'n'roll energy and don't sound phoned in at all. Actually I prefer the Hollies' cover of "Mr. Moonlight" to that of the Beatles. The Hollies released it before the Beatles did, although it had been in the Beatles' set list since their Hamburg days. I love the live version on the Beatles' Star Club recordings where they sing "Here I am on my nose."

 

I hate it because it is in a dumb key of F#. Who ever writes a song in F#? No one because it's a dumb sounding key.
And that stupid corny cheesy sounding organ sounds like my old grand dad's organ.

 

Obviously, they themselves must have thought it a good song otherwise they wouldn't have bothered recording it. To my ears, it's always a joy hearing John and Paul harmonising together and as stated before on this thread, John's opening vocal line is killer. For me, it's maybe not top notch Beatles but I'm always surprised to see it receive as much criticism as it seems to.

 

I likes it

 

Who cares! I love it and that's all that matters.

 

FWIW, a pretty good songwriter named Irving Berlin — author of approximately 1,500 songs, including White Christmas, God Bless America, 19 Broadway shows and 18 Hollywood film scores — could play piano only in F-sharp!

He did use a "transposing" piano (apparently somewhat common in the early 20th century), which enabled him to play in other keys while using the F-sharp scale.

 

Ladies & gentlemen, I give you ... the most honest man on SHMF!!!

 

Who say that people hate it?

 

My girlfriend says it's her least favorite Beatles tune, she says it's "flat" and monotonous.

 

It does seem to repeat one note continuously in "Mis.. ter...Moon...Light...come...a...gain...please..." I think it has a charming inartful quality about it though.

 

"You came to me..."

Lol

 

It repeats that note for good reason...it is perfect with that pleading quality of the lyric. Think how pretentious it would sound if it had an arching melody.

 

Just curious:
Has your GF ever heard Wild Honey Pie?
The longest 52 seconds in the Beatles discography.

 

I agree with her regarding the "flat" and "monotonous"sound. It is not exactly loaded with contrasting textures is it. Also, the harmonic rhythm is pretty static staying on one chord for measure after measure.
It is monotonous and very unlike most of their songs.....except maybe for George's Indian stuff.

 

I used to jam in F# with your old grand dad on the organ back in the days of '49. Always refused to do Mr. Moonlight, though. Granddad, he drove a tractor....granddad...he got drunk...

 

Is that organ in any of their other songs? I can't think of any.

 

It's always a good sign for the relationship when the girlfriend can't get into Mr. Moonlight. Buy her flowers this weekend...

 

I don't know what it is with me and F#. I have synestheisa and I see blood red when I hear F#. I get mad and grouchy.