The Beatles - Future Legends/Shoot Us Instead (1974)

The Beatles were on top of the world. Their last two studio albums, both titled Ziggy Stardust, were massive successes, and the world tour that followed was immensely well received. But now, starting in 1974, the Beatles were at a crossroads. David Bowie was willing to retire the Ziggy Stardust character in favor of something new, and their glam rock inspired sound was starting to get tired and old to the Beatles, as was usual of them. A new opportunity would come when George Orwell's estate allowed the Beatles to do a film adaptation of Nineteen Eighty-Four, one of Bowie's favorite novels. Before filming started, the Beatles would take the opportunity to write new songs for the film and its inevitable soundtrack album. However, before filming could begin, legal issues made it impossible for the film to be created, and it was scrapped. It was a massive blow to the band, but they now had a large amount of songs that could be put towards an album with its own identity.

The album (whose working title was Tragic Moments) became Future Legends, and it was released on May 24, 1974. Compared to their previous works, this album was quite experimental and varied in terms of genre, harkening back to the White Album sessions of 1968. Whether you wanted the hard rockers, the ballads or even a country tune, the Beatles had you covered. The album was received very well, with critics pointing out this variability as a plus, although it wasn't received as well as the Ziggy Stardust albums. It was a good time to be a Beatles fan, with so much material being released.

THE BEATLES - FUTURE LEGENDS
Released: 24 May 1974
Genre: Pop rock, glam rock, symphonic rock, soft rock
Producer: The Beatles

Side A
The Diamond Dogs
(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna
Bless You
Let Me Roll It
Rebel Rebel

Side B
No Words
Rock 'n' Roll with Me
Steel and Glass
Sally G
Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)
Goodnight Vienna (Reprise)

Track list sources:

All of Bowie's songs are from Diamond Dogs ("The Diamond Dogs" is "Future Legends" and "Diamond Dogs" put together). The rest of the tracks are from Goodnight Vienna, Walls and Bridges, Band on the Run, and Venus and Mars (Archive Collection).

Back cover

In fact, the Beatles had so much material during this time that they decided to include a bonus EP along with the album, titled Shoot Us Instead, a nod to Elton John's Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player. This contained sillier and more laid-back songs with a party atmosphere to them. Interestingly, the first song on the EP had a credit to one L'Angelo Mysterioso II. But dedicated apple scruffs already had a feeling they knew who this was.
THE BEATLES - SHOOT US INSTEAD
Released: 24 May 1974
Genre: Pop rock
Producer: The Beatles

Side A
Travelling Express
My Carnival

Side B
Rip It Up/Ready Teddy
Las Brisas
Big Brother Chant
Ya Ya

Track list sources:

Tracks are sourced from Dark Horse, Venus and Mars (Archive Collection), Rock 'n' Roll, Ringo's Rotogravure, Diamond Dogs, and Walls and Bridges, respectively. "Travelling Express" is "Hari's on Tour (Express)", and "Big Brother Chant" is "Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family".

Back cover


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