More than fifty years have passed since The Beatles released the White Album, yet the opening blast of “Back in the U.S.S.R.” still hits with the speed of a jet engine. Paul McCartney threw himself into this track with a swaggering Jerry Lee Lewis style, driving it with pounding piano and sly humor about Cold War life.
What makes it unforgettable is the mix of parody and pure adrenaline. McCartney borrowed Chuck Berry’s “Back in the USA” and sprinkled in Beach Boys harmonies creating a mash of American sunshine and Soviet grit. The result is tongue-in-cheek, fast and loud. It feels like The Beatles were poking fun but also proving they could out rock anyone.
The Beatles – Back In The U.S.S.R. (2018 Mix / Lyric Video)
Fans continue to celebrate the song’s playful chaos. One listener laughed that it was “Paul flexing before punk even existed,” while another praised the “insane energy for an album opener.” A third comment summed it up best: “This song is why they were not just pop stars, but the loudest band of their time.”
That sense of grit flows right into another overlooked powerhouse. During the recording of “Lady Madonna,” a moment of barking turned into something far heavier: “Hey Bulldog.” This track carried the same spirit of fun, but with a sharper edge. Where “Back in the U.S.S.R.” felt cheeky, “Hey Bulldog” came across bold and brash.
The Beatles – Hey Bulldog (Promo video)
“Hey Bulldog” stands tall as one of The Beatles’ fiercest jams. Its rolling piano riff collides with a snarling guitar solo and thick fuzz bass. Lennon’s voice bites through the mix with a rough confidence that fans still call underrated. Many say it is the song that proves they could stomp as hard as any blues-rock band of the late 60s.
The truth is, The Beatles never stayed in one lane. They could write gentle ballads, but they could also shake the walls with songs like these. That range is what made them so timeless. They were not just dreamers; they were rockers with fire in their veins. Follow The Beatles on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.