I know; I'm being completely pretentious. Why mess with something that's such a classic? It is after all Rolling Stones 14 best album, and considered one of the Beatles' "most tightly constructed albums" (or so says Wikipedia). Well for one, because I for some reason am a big fan of concept albums, or even albums that while not meant to necessarily be concept albums, somehow accidentally end up telling a story. So it always disappointed me that while this album has quite a few of my favorite all-time Beatles' tunes, it never really flowed the way I wished it would, despite the inclusion of the conceptualized "Abbey Road Suite". So here you go my interpretation of how the tracks should go.
If for some reason you actually try to listen to the album in this order, please be aware that yes some song transitions are going to be a bit more abrupt, it would have to be completely re-recorded and mixed in order for it to sound the way I would want it to. Also I haven't quite worked out some of the finer plot points yet, to make the characters fit in more with the songs.. so this is currently categorized WIP (work in progress).
Track 1) Because - I could be partially biased here, since the Cirque Du Soleil production of "Love" begins with this track (and inevitably always gives me chills) but I like the idea of the album starting off with a sort of elemental theme. So I start off with "Because" mainly for it's earth/air theme but also because it's one of the quieter peaceful tracks and seems like a nice way to kick off the story. [ETA 3:43PM 5/6/08]: I thought visually it could be interesting if a juxtaposition was provided by having this song accompanied by Maxwell slacking off in school. I kind of half thought of starting by looking at the earth from space and then slowly zooming into the classroom scene where we realize Maxwell is daydreaming and the teacher yelling at him to pay more attention, somethign like that.
Track 2) Sun King - I had a difficult time deciding which of the two "Sun" themed tracks to put in this slot, and finally settled on "Sun King" because it flowed better with the surrounding songs. [ETA 3:48PM 5/6/08]: Possibly the two of the murder scenes occuring somplace during the Italian lyrics. Kind of a "Son of Sam" thing... the "Sun King" is talking to Maxwell and he has strange hallucinations of everybody speaking in Italian and he isn't able to understand and lashes out in frustration accidentally killing Joan and then later the teacher
Track 3) Maxwell's Silver Hammer - Maxwell, the ex-science student and pathological killer. As the song indicated he escapes judgment (by killing the judge). [ETA 3:49PM 5/6/08]: This song will accompany the court scene (in a tip of the hat to "Pink Floyd's "The Wall" maybe) with a really cartonish vision of the judicial system, culminating in Maxwell's third murder (the judge) and his escape. But what happens then? In my story Maxwell and Mr. Mustard are in fact the same person.
Track 4) Mean Mr. Mustard - Thus begins the only section of the "Abbey Road Suite" which I have left intact. Maxwell makes his transition into Mr. Mustard, the mean "old-man" derelict of the local park. We are also introduced to his sister Pam (whose story continues in a later song). Pam is the only person who is aware of Maxwell's dual identity, and often visits him in the park bringing him warm clothing and food. She has tried to talk him into living with her, but he always refuses... he lives in self-induced squalor as payment for the crimes he has committed.
Track 5) Her Majesty - Paul originally omitted this from the "Abbey Road Suite" and an ambitious engineer tacked it on to the end of the album as an afterthought. I've put it back in where it belongs. I was always a bit pissed at Paul about this. Instead of trying to find a way to make it work musically, he just sort of tossed it in the trash. I mean I guess at that point they were all about fed up with each other and probably didn't want to spend much more time on the album than necessary, but still. As with Maxwell/Mustard; Her Majesty/Pam is also the same person. Pam is admired from afar by the story's un-named hero (who is the one singing this track). A fellow park frequenter he has noticed her generosity towards the derelict Mr. Mustard and it has warmed his heart. [ETA 3:52PM 5/6/08]: I've decided to name the protagonist John. I was looking for somethign Beatles-esque, but determined that most the good males names were already used on the characters in "Across the Universe" so instead named the character after John Lennon.
Track 6) Polythene Pam - Our completely unconventional heroine (at least in my version). I love the idea of this quirkily dressed sexually ambiguous (and experimental) lady being the love interest. I have no idea why... just go with it. :-) This song in my head is sung by either other derelicts in the park or kids hanging out at the local convenience store sort of thing (in fact this same group probably also should/would sing Mr. Mustard.. I think I'll tentatively call/cast them as "rumour-mongers"). Basically as a street scene... hey what's with that weird girl... these are the local stories sort of thing. In other words, no one in town is very nice to Pam. [ETA: 3:54PM 5/6/08]: In order to better suit lyrics in the song "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" Pam will be the daughter of a wealthy family (Maxwell's school will be some sort of boarding school or other such rich-kids type of institution) who is trained in dancing, but then uses that talent after she discommunicates herself from her family, to work at various strip-clubs and seedy joints. hence the strange attire, sordid rumors, etc.
FURTHER EDITING NEEDED FROM THIS POINT FORWARD
Track 7) You Never Give Me Your Money - This is the un-named hero's track. This takes place at his place of employ, a factory. He is essentially complaining to his boss about his dissatisfaction with his wages and position. The boss kind of blows him off, so the hero organizes a labor strike
Track 8) Come Together - this is the labor strike anthem. Since the lyrics of this song are so intentionally obtuse to begin with, you can sort of make it to whatever you want it to mean. In my version the hero's is pointing out the boss' ridiculousness in some way. Spouting "the man's" faults as it were and riling up the other workers. At some point the riots spill out into the street and Pam (on her way to the park) is pushed into a massive crowd, eventually finding safety by climbing through the bathroom window of the factory, where our hero then finds her.
Track 9) She Came in Through the Bathroom Window - Yeah you knew I was going there when I described the scene in the last explanation. So kind of more the introduction of the hero and Pam transitioning into...
Track 10) Oh Darling - as previously stated our hero already has a soft spot for Pam, and now he finds himself with the perfect opportunity to introduce himself, only problem is she's still scared shitless from the riot. He sings this song to gain her trust and eventually convinces her to come to his nearby flat and get some rest until the streets are safe again.
Track 11) Golden Slumbers - the hero sings this to Pam to help her fall asleep once they are back at his flat.
Track 12) Octopus' Garden - weird dream sequence. Because really what else are you going to do with this song? I mean I love this song but it's just too bizarre to fit anywhere else but a dream sequence. So yeah Pam has a dream about being under the sea with the newly discovered hero, and realizes that even though she's just met him she's falling in love with him (because essentially he's the only one in the story so far that's even remotely nice to her).
Track 13) Something - the hero admires Pam while she sleeps
Track 14) Here Comes the Sun - day breaks and Pam awakens... the pair make small talk and have breakfast, but when it finally comes down to the bit where they have to separate they cannot bear to part.. They embrace, kiss and well other stuff
Track 15) I Want You/She's So Heavy - yeah it's the sex scene song (of course it is) and not just because it was in "Across the Universe" it just lends itself to that sort of thing because of the lyrics and the guitar riff. In my version "she's so heavy" is a way of saying that they're "so in love" the "weight" is the feeling of that...
Track 16) Carry That Weight - as previously mentioned in my version the "weight" is a metaphor for love. The hero decides to "carry that weight" meaning he decide he wants to spend the rest of his life with Pam. Originally the Heo has reservation during what will be the wedding scene (original lyrics) but the lyrics would then be expanded to add verses which finish off the sotry. They continu with the wedding and then go together to take care of Maxwell in the park. The hero gets promoted at work (despite the riot/strike) and Pam is no longer ridiculed by the locals and becomes a "respectable" member of society and eventually a mother (they have a kid)
Track 17) The End - Well duh! Let the credits roll... LOL!