Back in the USSR - The Ladders (Beatles cover)

Mike Love himself suggests a few lines for the opening track of The Beatles' “White Album”. A good-natured poke at the surf rock of his Beach Boys' “California Girls“, as well as the rock and roll of Chuck Berry' “Back in the USA“… Paul McCartney conceived “Back in the USSR“ as a parody (and at the same time a tribute) to the rock 'n' roll of Chuck Berry and the Beach Boys. The song is so convincing that it becomes a standard of the genre itself. Mike Love of the Beach Boys, who is with the Beatles in India at that time, suggests including references to Russian girls in the bridge, just like the Beach Boys did in “California Girls.“ The recordings of “Back in the USSR“ (and the subsequent track on the White Album, “Dear Prudence“) happen during a period of tensions that lead to Ringo Starr temporarily leaving the band. It is primarily McCartney who steps in to replace the drummer while he is in Sardinia as a guest of