I know, I know. I wrote a scathing opinion piece a few weeks back complaining about the announced tracklist for The Beatles: Rock Band. Perhaps I was a little quick to judge. I realize now that Harmonix and Apple (records not computers) are picking songs based not on popularity, but on how fun they are to play. As of last week, the grand total of announced songs stood at 26 (with “Ticket to Ride” being the newest addition). Less than a month until the game’s release, that leaves 19 of the game’s 45 songs a mystery. Or does it?
Two recent articles in The Boston Globe and The New York Times may have spilled the beans on a few more songs. Sunday’s Globe name-dropped the popular George Harrison ballad “Something”:
“Olivia Harrison felt that the early storyboards for ‘Something,’ which was originally Indian-themed, didn’t reflect the meaning of George’s song, and encouraged a redesigned dreamscape that connected the curves of a woman and the curves of a guitar.”
Of course, the mention doesn’t guarantee the song’s inclusion in the game, since it’s a key track on the previously announced Abbey Road full-album DLC, slated to hit soon after release.
Harder to dismiss are the Times’ references to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Hey Bulldog,” and “I’m Looking Through You” being in the game. “Guitar” originally appeared on the White Album, which has not been announced as a full-album download (though Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band were, in the same article). Fingers crossed “While My Guitar” be in the final game, as it tops this Beatles fan’s wish list. Either way, we’ll find out soon. With the game’s September 9 release rapidly approaching, Harmonix is running out of time to announce the remaining songs.
By Erich Asperschlager