Top 10 Beatles Songs
The Beatles broke up 41 years ago, but they’re never far from the headlines. The news that Sir Paul McCartney will be performing at the opening of the 2012 London Olympics, Ringo Starr’s constant touring and last year’s intense promotion of their music on iTunes have all helped keep their music alive.
When you’ve been a Beatles fan your entire life, making a list of what their 10 best songs are is close to impossible. However, this is an attempt to do so. Ask me tomorrow, and it would probably be entirely different.
1. “Day Tripper” - single, 1965
While a lot of people look at the Beatles as a great pop band, they were also a great rock band. “Day Tripper” is one of those ultimate songs by the group where everything clicked (which happened nine times out of ten). The best Beatles songs are the ones where all four made fantastic contributions...and this is one of them.
2. “Strawberry Fields Forever” - single, 1967
It almost goes without saying that any list of greatest songs of all time needs to include John Lennon’s ode to his childhood, “Strawberry Fields Forever.” It’s a perfect song that, despite referencing real places, will always be universal.
3. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” - The Beatles, 1968
Eric Clapton’s guitar solo. Period. It really is the best song George Harrison wrote with the Beatles.
4. “Let It Be” - Let It Be, 1970
Paul’s ballads are great and “Let It Be” is probably the best and most universal of them all. The track is emotional, featuring one of Paul’s best vocals.
5. “Can’t Buy Me Love” - A Hard Day’s Night, 1964
I love the early Beatles tracks. There’s just a sense of exhilaration and fun in every track. “Can’t Buy Me Love” is the epitome of that.
6. “Hey Jude” - single, 1968
Paul has had to perform this song at every show he’s done for a reason. People just love to sing along to it. There’s nothing better than going “Na, na, na, na, na, na, na! Na, na, na, na, Hey Jude!” for five minutes.
7. “Something” - Abbey Road, 1969
I love the story of Frank Sinatra performing the song and calling it his favorite Lennon/McCartney song. In fact, it’s George all the way (who was actually inspired by James Taylor’s equally lovely “Something In The Way She Moves”). “Something” is as powerful in ‘69 as it was today. Another fun note about the track is that it was inspired by his wife at the time, Patti Boyd - who also inspired Eric Clapton to come up with “Layla.”
8. “She’s Leaving Home” - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967
Sgt. Pepper’s is often referred to as the greatest album ever made. While I don’t really agree with that (I love Revolver much more), its influence is undeniable. There will never be another phenomenon like it. “She’s Leaving Home” is one of the centerpieces of it and one of such delicate beauty.
9. “Here, There And Everywhere” - Revolver, 1966
Without a doubt, Paul’s two great love songs are “Here, There And Everywhere” and “And I Love Her.” It’s hard to chose, but “Here, There And Everywhere” is just brilliant with amazing harmonies and such a great vocal.
10. “Rain” - single, 1966
This is an obscure track (if you can call any Beatles song obscure), but it’s so unique that it’s just awesome. Ringo always has said that he thought it was his best drumming performance. You can’t argue with that once you hear it.