There were SO MANY songs from which to choose: simple songs, "transitional" songs, psychedelic songs, political songs. It was a challenge to narrow the list to just 40, and then to prioritize them in ascending order as I did in 2011.
My criteria was basically: a song's complexity or lack, the "tunefulness" of the melody, the instrumentation, the harmonies (if there were any), how they make me feel as I listen to and sing along, their uniqueness. I understand this is 100% subjective; in fact, while some of their most well known songs make my Top 40, for the most part they are closer to the bottom than to the top of my list.
I love their songs. I love how their songs have enriched my life since that fateful Sunday night on the Ed Sullivan show so long ago. I love how fun it is to sing along to their hundreds of songs. I love that their songs are on my brain's "hard drive" which allows me to sing along with no effort. To me, they are the greatest rock group of all time.
So here is my Beatles Top 40, with some commentary about each:
39. We Can Work It Out. The lyrics of the song's bridge resonate through the years: "Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend."
38. I Am the Walrus. "Koo-koo-ka-choo." A psychedelic masterpiece that seems to say in the chant toward the end "Smoke pot, smoke pot, everybody smoke pot."
37. Fool on the Hill. Another psychedelic masterpiece sung by Paul. "The eyes in his head see the world spinning round."
36. Day in the Life. This was Rolling Stone's #1 Beatles song. It's innovative, interesting, political, and has the tremendous multiple piano strike at its conclusion.
35. Hey Jude. This song, dedicated to John's son, Julian, is a classic by any measure. It is a crowd favorite at Paul McCartney concerts to this day.
34. Nowhere Man. John and Paul would occasionally start a song without instruments; this is one of them. Great harmonies amid the "la-las." Rather than just pointing out what this fictional person is missing, John finally sings "isn't he a bit like you and me?"
33. Yesterday. The most covered pop song ever. This song began its life as "Scrambled Eggs" until Paul figured it out. A haunting, wistful melody to be sure.
32. All My Loving. An early song that has a driving beat with a nice George instrumental interlude in the middle. I like hearing Paul's soaring vocals and the harmonies of this piece.
31. Honey Don't. My favorite of songs sung by Ringo. This, like "What Goes On," has an attractive (to me) country sound. I like hearing Paul's "boogie-woogie" type bass on parts of the tune.
30. Michelle. Another ballad sung by Paul, interspersed with French. Can't say the lyrics grab me, but it has a nice melody line.
28. Roll Over Beethoven. This was my favorite song on my first Beatles album. It sounds like it should be in the movie "Back to the Future." That's because it was written by Chuck Berry, the original duck-walker!
27. Savoy Truffle. An obscure song from the White Album about a yummy dessert. This tune sung by George has what sounds like baritone or bass saxophones--an unusual touch.
26. Let It Be. One of the best known Beatles tunes. It was immortalized for a new generation when Sesame Street spoofed it, using the tune to sing about the"Letter B."
25. I'll Follow the Sun. Harking back to the beginnings, the hidden gem is a nice ballad sung by Paul, full of lovely harmonies. "Tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun."
24. She's a Woman. This song is not to be found anywhere in the box set. Strange, because it was really popular back in the day. There is a little time signature changing which makes it more interesting.
23. Piggies. You have to love a pop song that has pig sounds in it. This piece is full of vindictive railing against the "Establishment" and sung with snide by George.
22. Norwegian Wood. "I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me." Thus begins the lyric of this all acoustic song sung with relish by John.
21. Think for Yourself. This is a song that I didn't discover until a few years ago, and I really like it. I enjoy listening to Paul's fuzz bass throughout the song.
20. Good Day Sunshine. The tune is a upbeat, positive, happy tune that makes me feel good. I remember thinking about this song on a vacation trip to Bear Lake many years ago.
18. Paperback Writer. This song has a driving beat with a memorable guitar riff throughout. Nice harmonies, but not a love song.
17. In My Life. This romantic ballad sung by John is a favorite. It has had special meaning through the years since it was played at my California wedding reception.
16. Eight Days a Week. Another song from my early days, I always wondered why it wasn't called Seven Days a Week. Nice harmonies.
15. No Reply. To me, this has a rather haunting melody, perhaps because it was written in a minor key. I love the melody and the harmonies in this song about someone who is obsessed.
14. Strawberry Fields Forever. This psychedelic song is full of experimentation, the boys wanting to push the envelope musically. It's most unique feature is at the end when the music is played backwards. Then to perpetuate the rumor, at the end we hear "I buried Paul."
13. Here, There and Everywhere. A romantic ballad sung in a fairly high register. "When she's beside me I know I need never care." This song was the title song of an infamous American-released album.
12. You've Got to Hide Your Love Away. A memorable song from the memorable "Help" soundtrack. Sung by John, I do a pretty good imitation of him singing it.
11. I'll Be Back. This song also has a haunting melody. A rather obscure song, it is also written in a minor key. Except for the bridge, nearly all of the song's melody is joined with harmony, which I find marvelous.
10. I Want to Hold Your Hand. This was the last and for me the most memorable song of their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. That first appearance was seen by over 73 million viewers--and me!
8. I Feel Fine. This song begins with one of the most well-known guitar riffs ever. I've heard it in a number of other songs by other groups. "I'm so glad that she's my little girl." Hmmmm.
7. Blackbird. An acoustic beauty with just gentle tapping, Paul's unmistakable voice, and a blackbird singing. This is a great song to teach yourself if you are learning to play the guitar.
6. Another Girl. A great song from the "Help" soundtrack. I will always remember how cool it was to see Paul playing this song in the movie with a girl in a bikini and her arm extended as his guitar.
5. The Night Before. One more song from the "Help" soundtrack, it is full of harmonies and memorable lyrics. "When I held you near, you were so sincere."
4. I'll Cry Instead. My favorite of their upbeat songs. I've always liked this song from the early years. Not only a great melody, but it has Paul playing down the neck of his bass guitar--which I've always loved.
3. And I Love Her. Paul is at his finest in this early love ballad. Great lyrics, a lovely melody, yet another song in a minor key that finally resolves on the last note.
2. Abbey Road--Side 2 Medley. Comprising almost the entire 2nd side of the album, it is the Beatles at their best, able to comfortably compose and perform in a number of different styles with ease. "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." It was the end. And #1 is...
1. If I Fell. A beautiful, romantic ballad full of harmonies. I cannot control myself when I hear this tune; I have to sing John's harmony part. Is it the Beatles' best song? I think so.
1 comment:
So which album is your favorite? Mine is Sargent pepper's. My favorite song is lovely Rita. It just always puts me in a good mood. I love the Beatles. Glad you do too Dad. Now I'd like a list of your fav Simon and sting songs. :)
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