The Top 20 Beatles Songs
I remember that I was probably the only one of my friends at the time that really liked them, and as time went on, my appreciation for the guys grew like a weed. Not only are their lyrics great, but their instrumentals just blow me away. They have experimented with sounds that no one else had dared to go or even thought possible. The end result was nothing short of brilliance.
Then, they also have their catchy tunes with just a few basic chords. Even then, there was just something about these guys that made almost whatever they did seem magical. They just had that “it” factor when they were together. That is something that so many bands want, but very few have. Anyhow, without further ado, here is my list of what I consider the top 20 Beatles song of all times, along with some honorable mentions.
No. 20 – Blackbird – Paul sings lead on this, and does great as usual. The song is very simple and so mellow (an acoustic guitar and some tapping), but the lyrics are wonderful and the song is amazing.
No. 19 – And Your Bird Can Sing – WONDERFUL guitar solo by George, and that pretty much makes the whole song go round. John did a good job on vocals and once again had people scrambling to figure out just what he meant. I think that the song represents something simple : Material things aren’t everything and really don’t amount to much ( You tell me that you’ve got everything you’ve wanted/And your bird can sing/But you don’t get me/You don’t get me ). It may be just my take on it, but I think people bent the meaning of this song out of shape when really it was quite simple. Great tune.
No. 18 – Helter Skelter : Probably one of the hardest sounding Beatles songs. I love Paul’s screeching vocals on this one. Many people get this song confused with Manson and all the chaos and the murders that surrounded him. However, this song is really (believe it or not) about a kids slide/ride in an amusement park in England. Such an innocent meaning really, that can be taken in so many different contexts.
No. 17 – Here Comes the Sun – This is one of those lovely laid back Beatles ballads from The Abbey Road album. I am not really sure why I like this so much, but I do. Maybe because this song is just so friendly and and has such a happy feeling about being out in the sun ( Here comes the Sun/Do do do do/Here comes the Sun/It’s Alright/It’s Alright ). It’s just one of those feel good songs with a catchy beat, and a chance to see just how talented George really is.
No. 16 – Don’t Let Me Down – John takes lead on this one (my favorite Beatle guy), and delivers a nice performance. I am pretty sure he is talking about Yoko in this piece, and about his true love for her (and his fears as well) ( I’m in love for the first time/Don’t you know it’s gonna last/It’s a love that lasts forever/It’s a love that has no past ). The instrumentals are wonderful on this song, and every time I hear it , it always reminds me that this was the last song that guys ever performed live together (and on top of a building at that).
No. 15 – Come Together – Great Lennon vocals with a great message.
No. 14 – While My Guitar Gently Weeps – George got down on this song. I’ve always wondered why George did not have more opportunities to make songs like these, because he really shines.
No. 13 – Hey Jude – What is there not to like about this one? Paul wrote this for John Lennon’s son, and it became one of The Beatles biggest hits of all times.
no. 12- Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club – Upbeat, cute lyrics, fun song, and just awesome instrumentals. What’s not to like?
No. 11 – I Want You (She’s So Heavy ) – Just listen to the guitar and you’ll know what I mean.
No. 10 – Happiness is a Warm Gun – Sometimes the tempo changes too quickly and there are minor flaws throughout the song, but this is a great tune besides those little things (that I just ignore now anyways). Deciphering the meaning can be a bit tough since there are so many different opinions about what it is that John is really talking about. Every time I try to analyze the lyrics , I find something new in the song and thus have to start all over again. I just listen now. John is a musical genius. That’s all I can say.
No. 9 – Let It Be – Just an amazing song that always lifts my spirits and gives me hope when I hear it. ( When I find myself in times of trouble/Mother Mary Comes to Me/Speaking Words of Wisdom/Let it Be ).
No. 8 – Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds – Written because John’s son drew a picture of a cartoon named Lucy? I guess we’ll never really know, but the results were outstanding. Many think that this song is a bit too strange even for The Beatles (right…listen to Revolution 9. Now even I agree that is one Beatles song that I can’t get into), but I enjoy everything little weird thing about it.
No. 7 – Ballad of John and Yoko – A simple song with simple chords about the wedding and honeymoon of John and Yoko. As simple at it may be, it has a catchy beat and John sounds perfect crooning behind keyboards, guitars, and maracas.
No. 6 – In My Life – A simple song with beautiful piano work about John looking back on all the places, people, and things he has loved in his life. This song always reminds me of someone or something different (from my past) almost every time that I hear it.
No. 5 – Eleanor Rigby – Beautifully written, beautifully sung, and especially beautiful instrumentals. This is one of those songs that just grew on me the more I heard. I originally was not a big fan of this particular song, but it has now become a favorite after listening more and realizing just how interesting this song really is.
No. 4 – With a Little Help From My Friends – I love it when Ringo sings lead, and I also love the lyrics to this song ( What would you do if I sang out of tune?/Would you stand up and walk out on me?/Lend me your ear and I’ll sing you a song/And I’ll try not to sing out of key/I get by with a little help from my friends/Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends ). Ringo does a fabulous job with this song. One of my personal favorites of all time. This one came close to the top three, but I just couldn’t see bumping the others down.
No. 3 – I am the Walrus – The words make no sense and some are even made up. The music is experimental and it seems to come across is just one truly strange song. Well, that is exactly why I love it. John is at his most brilliant moments (in my opinion anyways). I could listen to this song over and over and over and never tire of it.
No. 2 – Strawberry Fields Forever – Another song that is a bit experimental but the end results are amazing.
No. 1 – A Day in the Life – The first time I heard this song I was blown away so much that I immediately played it over and over again. There is so much accomplished in just this one little song (instrumentals, lyrics, vocals) that it still amazes me every time I listen to. The way John starts out slowly and Paul falls in (the song moving into a more upbeat rhythm), and both bringing their own own lyrics from previous songs to combine it into this one song makes this piece just outstanding.
Honorable Mentions
– Yer Blues
– Mother Nature’s Son
– Across The Universe
– I’ve Got a Feeling
– Norwegian Wood
– You’re a Rich Man
