EPTTop 50 Beatles
Shoutout to cameron, the only person on TL i've met who likes beatles nearly as much and as obsessively as I do.
I was planning to do just what cam had done, except I was too lazy and didn't feel like talking bad about that many Beatles songs! So I did this instead. Some choice might be controversial, some placements of songs relative to others might provoke statements like "that's dumb", or "that's retarded", or "whoever wrote this is a gay fat baby" and while I certainly am, I am also someone who's listened to the Beatles a lot and I haven't formed these opinions willy-nilly. So here you go.
Honorable Mentions, aka songs i'd feel guilty if i ignored totally
George's Brilliant Songs: The Inner Light, Love You To, Think For Yourself, Taxman, I Want To Tell You, Long Long Long, Only A Northern Song, It's All Too Much, Blue Jay Way (This one really should have been in lol..)
Barely Didn't Make The Cut: Why Don't We Do It In The Road, Help!, Girl, Michelle, And Your Bird Can Sing, Most The Stuff on Sgt. Peppers.
Oh and Devil in Her Heart is a beautiful vocal performance and wonderful song. Ok let's start...
+ Show Spoiler [50-25] +
50. I'm Looking Through You (Rubber Soul)
A very very strong vocal, one of the most memorable ones from Rubber Soul.
49. You Can't Do That (A Hard Day's Night)
This song's cool and badass in every way. This is one that might have made the cut from my experience and all the fun i've had playing and singing it. I'll touch on this later when I get to another song that has lyrics somewhat in the same vein, but I think the lyrics makes it more fun and adds a new level of enjoyment for me. Sounds awful but stick around.
48. Getting Better (Sgt. Peppers)
I underrated this one. I sort of just forgot about it unfortunately, but this is a fantastic damn song, mostly owing to Lennon's backing vocals. That's what makes the song. Without them it's just another song as far as i'm concerned.
47. In My Life (Rubber Soul)
Someone might be pissed I put this here. But I have to be honest, and I don't enjoy this song as much even as I enjoy the next one in line. It's brilliant, but I can't say there aren't like a hundred Beatles songs I'd rather listen to.
46. You Like Me Too Much (Help!)
...Like this one! That's gonna make Cam see red. There's something I find incredibly endearing about some of George's earlier vocals like in this one. When the singing starts after the piano intro, its just wonderful. I think it's catchy, memorable and the vocals are what make it as good as it is. It's not the most endearing set of early George vocals though. More on that later.
45. She Loves You (Single)
I think the only real early classic that I included, so obviously I think it's the best one. The drum roll at the start followed by the belting chorus with the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, absolutely wonderful.
44. The Ballad Of John And Yoko (Single)
It's hard for me to explain why this song is on here. When I first got the Blue and Red album and listened to The Beatles (I only listened to those two compilation records for a long time), I listened to this song over and over and over. I would literally have it on repeat while doing whatever I was doing. I think it amassed at least a hundred listens, and I'm not sure what grabbed me about it. Anyway, I'm aware that Cam despises this so it might be another semi-controversial choice. Whatever.
43. Ticket To Ride (Help!)
Just always been a huge classic to me. I can tell the guitar riff and drums a mile away. Not sure what else to say.
42. It's Only Love (Help!)
The melody and rhythm is irresistible and beautiful to me. Even Lennon/McCartney dismiss it as filler and say the lyrics are trash, but honestly they don't feel much worse than what they were doing at the time, with some exceptions.
41. Revolution (Single Version)
Just a damn good anti-violence track (he's made his mind up on this one) though I sort of like the ambiguity, sort of humble "What do I know really" attitude. Probably reading too much into the word "In" but yeah whatever. It's heavy.
40. Here Comes The Sun (Abbey Road)
HArrison. This Man. Brilliant songwriter. He comes Through. Here Comes The Sun. Great Track.
39. For You Blue (Let It Be)
Underrated, definitely. I get it though, its not as grand or wonderful as Here Comes The Sun or.. That other Abbey Road song by Harrison that may or may not get brought up later. Its quite a tongue in cheek sort of song, really. The spoken lines in the instrumental break is gold and adds a lot of good mood to the song. It sounds like they were having fun with it.
38. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey (White Album)
Lennon's highest note ever was hit in this song, and I'm proud to say my range has finally expanded to allow me to sing it. Granted, it'll be the last thing I sing well for the day, but whatever. One of the many beautiful heavy songs from the white album, but not the best!
37. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! (Sgt. Peppers)
The lyrics are gorgeous beyond what the rest of Sgt. Peppers does, with a few exceptions of course. Its worthy of note that not Lennon, nor McCartney, actually wrote those lyrics (all ripped almost verbatim from a 19th century circus poster, except for the name 'Henry' for the horse, which was different in the original). Its just great luck that Lennon found the poster and they fit in so well in the beatles' great list of absurd/psychedelic lyrics
36. Norwegian Wood (Rubber Soul)
I remember playing this song and my mom subsequently coming upstairs to badger me about how _technically_ you're supposed to sing McCartney's melody in the bridge. I pointed out that Lennon's the one you'd naturally follow because thats the only voice in the verse. We settled on "Well if you ever do a proper recording of it, do both voices"
35. Got To Get You Into My Life (Revolver)
GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!
34. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band/Reprise (Sgt. Peppers)
I'm sort of cheating. I'm putting Sgt peppers and the reprise on a single spot. Because I can't say I like one over the other and they both are goddamn good. Something just amazingly epic, almost goosebump-inducing about them. Just makes me sort of think about how amazing this album and period was for the band.
33. Run For Your Life (Rubber Soul)
Alright, so.. This is one of my favourite Rubber Soul songs, maybe the favourite. And its partially because of the lyrics. This is one thing where i think the playing aspect comes in, because i really really like songs that make whoever's listening double-take or sort of wake up their ears, and this is one of them. Its obvious I don't support the message, but there's something sort of thrilling about delivering "-thats the end-ah, little girl" with those two foreboding chords (G and F# I think? Anyway i play it in C# but with a capo on the first house, so i can play it easier in C). I actually really wouldn't listen to this song normally, but it's been a very important song for me to play.
32. If I Fell (A Hard Day's Night)
Beautiful low vocals by Lennon. Beautiful harmony. Its something that has the potential to be Cheesy like Do You Want To Know A Secret, PS I Love You or Ask Me Why but pulls it off so much better. McCartney also goes quite high in the bridge, still just barely outside my comfort zone. An example of McCartney and Lennon's vocals mixing beautifully.
31. Julia (White Album)
I actually had this higher up on the list first. But I actually overrated how much I like this song. It's very wonderful, obviously, but when I looked at it alongside the other highest rated songs, it didn't fit in. So here it is. Good song. Julia.
30. I'm Happy Just To Dance With You (A Hard Day's Night)
I honestly have no super good justification for listing this so high, except I enjoy this song more than about 80% of beatles songs. This is the best early Harrison performance by far, has all the charm and natural charisma of You Like Me Too Much but amplified.
29. The Long And Winding Road (Let It Be)
Ho boy, lol. This is one that even Camcouldn't defend. Cam, who loves the Granny songs and Yellow submarine and Ringo's vocals, could not find it in his heart to say anything vaguely nice about The Long and Winding Road. Me? I think its one of the best things on that album, if not the best.
28. I Want You (She's So Heavy) (Abbey Road)
Just a great great jam, super singable chorus (if you can call it that, it obviously doesnt entirely follow standard song structure) and worth all 7 minutes. I don't think it drags on at all.
27. Hey Jude (Single)
I almost forgot to put this in, Christ.. What can you say. Same as I said about I Want You. It's not too long. It's a great demonstration of Paul's vocals and writing skills. It's probably my earliest memory of The Beatles.
26. Let It Be (Let It Be)
My enjoyment of this song has sort of diminished over the years, unfortunately. Doesn't mean its not fuckin amazing and probably the best application of the Four Chords of Pop in the history of pop music.
25. Happiness Is A Warm Gun (White Album)
This is a wonderful song, like a patchwork of different songs that somehow come together to make something damn cool and also damn impossible to sing well ;_;
A very very strong vocal, one of the most memorable ones from Rubber Soul.
49. You Can't Do That (A Hard Day's Night)
This song's cool and badass in every way. This is one that might have made the cut from my experience and all the fun i've had playing and singing it. I'll touch on this later when I get to another song that has lyrics somewhat in the same vein, but I think the lyrics makes it more fun and adds a new level of enjoyment for me. Sounds awful but stick around.
48. Getting Better (Sgt. Peppers)
I underrated this one. I sort of just forgot about it unfortunately, but this is a fantastic damn song, mostly owing to Lennon's backing vocals. That's what makes the song. Without them it's just another song as far as i'm concerned.
47. In My Life (Rubber Soul)
Someone might be pissed I put this here. But I have to be honest, and I don't enjoy this song as much even as I enjoy the next one in line. It's brilliant, but I can't say there aren't like a hundred Beatles songs I'd rather listen to.
46. You Like Me Too Much (Help!)
...Like this one! That's gonna make Cam see red. There's something I find incredibly endearing about some of George's earlier vocals like in this one. When the singing starts after the piano intro, its just wonderful. I think it's catchy, memorable and the vocals are what make it as good as it is. It's not the most endearing set of early George vocals though. More on that later.
45. She Loves You (Single)
I think the only real early classic that I included, so obviously I think it's the best one. The drum roll at the start followed by the belting chorus with the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, absolutely wonderful.
44. The Ballad Of John And Yoko (Single)
It's hard for me to explain why this song is on here. When I first got the Blue and Red album and listened to The Beatles (I only listened to those two compilation records for a long time), I listened to this song over and over and over. I would literally have it on repeat while doing whatever I was doing. I think it amassed at least a hundred listens, and I'm not sure what grabbed me about it. Anyway, I'm aware that Cam despises this so it might be another semi-controversial choice. Whatever.
43. Ticket To Ride (Help!)
Just always been a huge classic to me. I can tell the guitar riff and drums a mile away. Not sure what else to say.
42. It's Only Love (Help!)
The melody and rhythm is irresistible and beautiful to me. Even Lennon/McCartney dismiss it as filler and say the lyrics are trash, but honestly they don't feel much worse than what they were doing at the time, with some exceptions.
41. Revolution (Single Version)
Just a damn good anti-violence track (he's made his mind up on this one) though I sort of like the ambiguity, sort of humble "What do I know really" attitude. Probably reading too much into the word "In" but yeah whatever. It's heavy.
40. Here Comes The Sun (Abbey Road)
HArrison. This Man. Brilliant songwriter. He comes Through. Here Comes The Sun. Great Track.
39. For You Blue (Let It Be)
Underrated, definitely. I get it though, its not as grand or wonderful as Here Comes The Sun or.. That other Abbey Road song by Harrison that may or may not get brought up later. Its quite a tongue in cheek sort of song, really. The spoken lines in the instrumental break is gold and adds a lot of good mood to the song. It sounds like they were having fun with it.
38. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey (White Album)
Lennon's highest note ever was hit in this song, and I'm proud to say my range has finally expanded to allow me to sing it. Granted, it'll be the last thing I sing well for the day, but whatever. One of the many beautiful heavy songs from the white album, but not the best!
37. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! (Sgt. Peppers)
The lyrics are gorgeous beyond what the rest of Sgt. Peppers does, with a few exceptions of course. Its worthy of note that not Lennon, nor McCartney, actually wrote those lyrics (all ripped almost verbatim from a 19th century circus poster, except for the name 'Henry' for the horse, which was different in the original). Its just great luck that Lennon found the poster and they fit in so well in the beatles' great list of absurd/psychedelic lyrics
36. Norwegian Wood (Rubber Soul)
I remember playing this song and my mom subsequently coming upstairs to badger me about how _technically_ you're supposed to sing McCartney's melody in the bridge. I pointed out that Lennon's the one you'd naturally follow because thats the only voice in the verse. We settled on "Well if you ever do a proper recording of it, do both voices"
35. Got To Get You Into My Life (Revolver)
GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!
34. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band/Reprise (Sgt. Peppers)
I'm sort of cheating. I'm putting Sgt peppers and the reprise on a single spot. Because I can't say I like one over the other and they both are goddamn good. Something just amazingly epic, almost goosebump-inducing about them. Just makes me sort of think about how amazing this album and period was for the band.
33. Run For Your Life (Rubber Soul)
Alright, so.. This is one of my favourite Rubber Soul songs, maybe the favourite. And its partially because of the lyrics. This is one thing where i think the playing aspect comes in, because i really really like songs that make whoever's listening double-take or sort of wake up their ears, and this is one of them. Its obvious I don't support the message, but there's something sort of thrilling about delivering "-thats the end-ah, little girl" with those two foreboding chords (G and F# I think? Anyway i play it in C# but with a capo on the first house, so i can play it easier in C). I actually really wouldn't listen to this song normally, but it's been a very important song for me to play.
32. If I Fell (A Hard Day's Night)
Beautiful low vocals by Lennon. Beautiful harmony. Its something that has the potential to be Cheesy like Do You Want To Know A Secret, PS I Love You or Ask Me Why but pulls it off so much better. McCartney also goes quite high in the bridge, still just barely outside my comfort zone. An example of McCartney and Lennon's vocals mixing beautifully.
31. Julia (White Album)
I actually had this higher up on the list first. But I actually overrated how much I like this song. It's very wonderful, obviously, but when I looked at it alongside the other highest rated songs, it didn't fit in. So here it is. Good song. Julia.
30. I'm Happy Just To Dance With You (A Hard Day's Night)
I honestly have no super good justification for listing this so high, except I enjoy this song more than about 80% of beatles songs. This is the best early Harrison performance by far, has all the charm and natural charisma of You Like Me Too Much but amplified.
29. The Long And Winding Road (Let It Be)
Ho boy, lol. This is one that even Camcouldn't defend. Cam, who loves the Granny songs and Yellow submarine and Ringo's vocals, could not find it in his heart to say anything vaguely nice about The Long and Winding Road. Me? I think its one of the best things on that album, if not the best.
28. I Want You (She's So Heavy) (Abbey Road)
Just a great great jam, super singable chorus (if you can call it that, it obviously doesnt entirely follow standard song structure) and worth all 7 minutes. I don't think it drags on at all.
27. Hey Jude (Single)
I almost forgot to put this in, Christ.. What can you say. Same as I said about I Want You. It's not too long. It's a great demonstration of Paul's vocals and writing skills. It's probably my earliest memory of The Beatles.
26. Let It Be (Let It Be)
My enjoyment of this song has sort of diminished over the years, unfortunately. Doesn't mean its not fuckin amazing and probably the best application of the Four Chords of Pop in the history of pop music.
25. Happiness Is A Warm Gun (White Album)
This is a wonderful song, like a patchwork of different songs that somehow come together to make something damn cool and also damn impossible to sing well ;_;
+ Show Spoiler [24-1] +
24. Penny Lane (Magical Mystery Tour)
What can you say, just one of the finest examples of Paul's songwriting, and beautiful instrumentation.
23. I Saw Her Standing There (Please Please Me)
The highest-rated song from their earliest days, I think! And it's damn-well deserved. Just listen to that count-in. that might sound facetious, considering that at this point we're talking about monoliths like Happiness is a Warm Gun, Let It Be and Hey Jude, that i'm noting some lame count-in. But it's not about that, really, it's about the fact that this is one of the best ways to start a debut album imaginable, and for that it's very very noteworthy. I think to date the only album intro as good might be Welcome To The Jungle.
22. I'm Only Sleeping (Revolver)
Classic classic classic Revolver track. Absolutely Revolver. Couldn't in a million years mistake this for Sgt. Peppers or Rubber Soul or Anything else, because its like you can still feel the mop-top orthodox normal-ness but its been twisted into something very beautifully different, that's unlike what Walrus-era John would make
21. Yellow Submarine (Revolver)
I feel like I'm putting this higher in the rankings than I almost should, but its one of those iconic Beatles songs that isn't something huge and grand like Let It Be, etc. It's just simple and has been interpreted in a million different ways. Ringo's simple, unassuming sort of vocals really help this and gives you the impression that there's not even any double meaning here. It's really just about a Submarine. Wonderful sound effects.
20. Octopus' Garden (Abbey Road)
Ringo's best piece of songwriting that I've seen. Maybe there's something hiding on one of his 80's albums, but until I hear it, this is his best work. People who don't like this are not good people and are probably contributing to the lack of world peace.
19. Baby You're A Rich Man (Magical Mystery Tour)
This... This I actually put too low. This one is almost top 10, it is waaaaay too good. The clavioline, or whatever it is making that beautiful solo sound at the start before the vocals come in, is just mindblowingly good and unique and it totally sets it apart. The chorus is also one of the most damn singable things ever. This is underrated.
18. Oh! Darling (Abbey Road)
Now this is quality. This is actually Paul's best vocal work in his entire career. Thats a career of well over 20 solo albums and major contributions on all beatles records. Several hundred songs. And this is his BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE EVER. Nothing more to say to it.
17. Carry That Weight & 16. You Never Give Me Your Money (Abbey Road)
So, i'm putting these with one comment on them because I put them both here for the same reason: I think they're the most essential bits of the Abbey Road medley. It's arguable, I guess, but these are the most beautiful parts in my opinion. I had to represent that glorious 16 minute musical orgasm somehow because its one of the things i like the most about any beatles record. So this is it.
15. Yer Blues (White Album)
EAGLE PICKS MY EYES
WORM HE LICKS MY BONES
the consonants! The fuckin consonants! some of lennon's best beatles work! GOddamn!
14. I Am The Walrus (Magical Mystery Tour)
This is just an amazing piece of experimentation and lyrical colourfulness. Just tickles your head with the words, really, sort of like a Rodriguez song but in a different way obviously. I'm also quite attached to the song and know it note by note, every single little effect and strange bit of sound. It's just up there as one of the best songs John ever did, no argument. It's an essential part of this period of Beatles, everything pre-White album and post-Revolver.
13. Within You, Without You (Sgt. Peppers)
Harrisons's only track on peppers, and what a damn shame Northern Song didnt get on there. I only just recently realized that Within You, Without You has defined what I think of when i think "Indian music", for at least 5 years. Like, when i think Indian Music I think the melody in Within You Without You note-by-note, and I wasn't even aware. That says more than I can say.
12. A Day In The Life (Sgt. Peppers)
Might seem like I didn't rate it highly enough. The thing is, It's hard for me to say anything nice about it because it's such a huge deal you'd expect at least top ten. What I think is: It's a fucking amazing song that's the 12th best song the Beatles ever made. That's a compliment
11. Eleanor Rigby (Revolver)
Revolver is one of the best collections of music that's ever been heard by the public. I can't kiss this albums' ass enough. It has Eleanor Rigby on it, that alone is like enough to make it a top 5 beatles album even if every other song on it were Ringo crooning old country standards (no offense meant to Ringo and his beautiful country voice)
10. Tomorrow Never Knows (Revolver)
Brilliant experimentation. Can't know what else I want to say about it, It's simply the Third best song on Revolver. You could write five essays on it, how its more diverse and interesting than most music ever made but only uses one chord, etc. I mean.. But It's best to just listen
9. With A Little Help From My Friends (Sgt. Peppers)
Ringo's best vocals on a beatles song, it's perfect for him. It's a perfect song. I don't know what else to say because at this point the songs are just like.. Yess, they're just spot on, I don't know what to say.
8. All You Need Is Love (Magical Mystery Tour)
I guess, this one would seem weird to some people but also not weird at all to most. The reason I think its top 10 is sort of partially because every time i hear the chorus it makes me remember the video I saw of all the crying people in front of the Dakota after Lennon's death, All You Need Is Love being blasted, its just really powerful, and it makes it one of the most emotional and most enjoyable Beatles tracks to me.
7. Helter Skelter (White Album)
Just a remarkable, mind-bendingly fucking fantastic song in every respect. It invented a genre for fucks sake, and mccartney just decided to write it. That's his power. thats how good mccartney is. So fuckin good.
6. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (White Album)
Feel stunned here because I have no idea what to write about this. Ranking speaks for itself. Sometimes, George Harrison is one of the best songwriters ever.
5. Yesterday (Help!)
It's almost a joke that they decided to put this as the second to last song on Help! Opting to finish with 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy!' which I don't have any personal qualms with but which you might notice is not really as good as Yesterday, some would argue. Yesterday is beyond compliment, really. It's been covered by two million people, there, thats your compliment.
4. Strawberry Fields Forever (Magical Mystery Tour)
Every new listen not only lets you hear something new and amazing but lets you enjoy what's you've already heard a hundred times. The lyrics just never get old and every "Nothing is real" is chills-inducing. It's Lennon's best song while he was with the Beatles, which, one could argue, makes it his best song ever.
3. Something (Abbey Road)
Best love song ever? I'm not gonna give it that title just yet. Best Harrison song ever? Definitely, though several All Things Must Pass tracks give it a run for its money. But it is perfectly written. And it is perfectly recorded. And it is beautiful almost beyond words.
2. For No One & 1. Here There & Everywhere
These songs are twins. They are opposites, but they're both on the same album and they're both by the same person, about the same person (Jane Asher, look her up, like most mccartney did around this time was inspired by her, as early as 'We Can Work It Out'). Whereas Here There & Everywhere's chords go in an ascending pattern, making them sound hopeful and beautiful and warm, For No One descends down, making it heavy and sad. They mirror each other so well without even necessarily trying. It's just Perfect, with a capital P. The two greatest pieces of music ever composed, and they compliment each other like no other music I've ever heard.
I've had a very short life so far, but I'll still make a note of the fact that the highest peak of music I have ever heard is when, in Here There & Everywhere, the bridge transitions back to the verse smoothly, returning to the major chord. It's the warmest sound I've ever heard.
So yeah, those are the best songs ever written. I think the beatles are a pretty good band
What can you say, just one of the finest examples of Paul's songwriting, and beautiful instrumentation.
23. I Saw Her Standing There (Please Please Me)
The highest-rated song from their earliest days, I think! And it's damn-well deserved. Just listen to that count-in. that might sound facetious, considering that at this point we're talking about monoliths like Happiness is a Warm Gun, Let It Be and Hey Jude, that i'm noting some lame count-in. But it's not about that, really, it's about the fact that this is one of the best ways to start a debut album imaginable, and for that it's very very noteworthy. I think to date the only album intro as good might be Welcome To The Jungle.
22. I'm Only Sleeping (Revolver)
Classic classic classic Revolver track. Absolutely Revolver. Couldn't in a million years mistake this for Sgt. Peppers or Rubber Soul or Anything else, because its like you can still feel the mop-top orthodox normal-ness but its been twisted into something very beautifully different, that's unlike what Walrus-era John would make
21. Yellow Submarine (Revolver)
I feel like I'm putting this higher in the rankings than I almost should, but its one of those iconic Beatles songs that isn't something huge and grand like Let It Be, etc. It's just simple and has been interpreted in a million different ways. Ringo's simple, unassuming sort of vocals really help this and gives you the impression that there's not even any double meaning here. It's really just about a Submarine. Wonderful sound effects.
20. Octopus' Garden (Abbey Road)
Ringo's best piece of songwriting that I've seen. Maybe there's something hiding on one of his 80's albums, but until I hear it, this is his best work. People who don't like this are not good people and are probably contributing to the lack of world peace.
19. Baby You're A Rich Man (Magical Mystery Tour)
This... This I actually put too low. This one is almost top 10, it is waaaaay too good. The clavioline, or whatever it is making that beautiful solo sound at the start before the vocals come in, is just mindblowingly good and unique and it totally sets it apart. The chorus is also one of the most damn singable things ever. This is underrated.
18. Oh! Darling (Abbey Road)
Now this is quality. This is actually Paul's best vocal work in his entire career. Thats a career of well over 20 solo albums and major contributions on all beatles records. Several hundred songs. And this is his BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE EVER. Nothing more to say to it.
17. Carry That Weight & 16. You Never Give Me Your Money (Abbey Road)
So, i'm putting these with one comment on them because I put them both here for the same reason: I think they're the most essential bits of the Abbey Road medley. It's arguable, I guess, but these are the most beautiful parts in my opinion. I had to represent that glorious 16 minute musical orgasm somehow because its one of the things i like the most about any beatles record. So this is it.
15. Yer Blues (White Album)
EAGLE PICKS MY EYES
WORM HE LICKS MY BONES
the consonants! The fuckin consonants! some of lennon's best beatles work! GOddamn!
14. I Am The Walrus (Magical Mystery Tour)
This is just an amazing piece of experimentation and lyrical colourfulness. Just tickles your head with the words, really, sort of like a Rodriguez song but in a different way obviously. I'm also quite attached to the song and know it note by note, every single little effect and strange bit of sound. It's just up there as one of the best songs John ever did, no argument. It's an essential part of this period of Beatles, everything pre-White album and post-Revolver.
13. Within You, Without You (Sgt. Peppers)
Harrisons's only track on peppers, and what a damn shame Northern Song didnt get on there. I only just recently realized that Within You, Without You has defined what I think of when i think "Indian music", for at least 5 years. Like, when i think Indian Music I think the melody in Within You Without You note-by-note, and I wasn't even aware. That says more than I can say.
12. A Day In The Life (Sgt. Peppers)
Might seem like I didn't rate it highly enough. The thing is, It's hard for me to say anything nice about it because it's such a huge deal you'd expect at least top ten. What I think is: It's a fucking amazing song that's the 12th best song the Beatles ever made. That's a compliment
11. Eleanor Rigby (Revolver)
Revolver is one of the best collections of music that's ever been heard by the public. I can't kiss this albums' ass enough. It has Eleanor Rigby on it, that alone is like enough to make it a top 5 beatles album even if every other song on it were Ringo crooning old country standards (no offense meant to Ringo and his beautiful country voice)
10. Tomorrow Never Knows (Revolver)
Brilliant experimentation. Can't know what else I want to say about it, It's simply the Third best song on Revolver. You could write five essays on it, how its more diverse and interesting than most music ever made but only uses one chord, etc. I mean.. But It's best to just listen
9. With A Little Help From My Friends (Sgt. Peppers)
Ringo's best vocals on a beatles song, it's perfect for him. It's a perfect song. I don't know what else to say because at this point the songs are just like.. Yess, they're just spot on, I don't know what to say.
8. All You Need Is Love (Magical Mystery Tour)
I guess, this one would seem weird to some people but also not weird at all to most. The reason I think its top 10 is sort of partially because every time i hear the chorus it makes me remember the video I saw of all the crying people in front of the Dakota after Lennon's death, All You Need Is Love being blasted, its just really powerful, and it makes it one of the most emotional and most enjoyable Beatles tracks to me.
7. Helter Skelter (White Album)
Just a remarkable, mind-bendingly fucking fantastic song in every respect. It invented a genre for fucks sake, and mccartney just decided to write it. That's his power. thats how good mccartney is. So fuckin good.
6. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (White Album)
Feel stunned here because I have no idea what to write about this. Ranking speaks for itself. Sometimes, George Harrison is one of the best songwriters ever.
5. Yesterday (Help!)
It's almost a joke that they decided to put this as the second to last song on Help! Opting to finish with 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy!' which I don't have any personal qualms with but which you might notice is not really as good as Yesterday, some would argue. Yesterday is beyond compliment, really. It's been covered by two million people, there, thats your compliment.
4. Strawberry Fields Forever (Magical Mystery Tour)
Every new listen not only lets you hear something new and amazing but lets you enjoy what's you've already heard a hundred times. The lyrics just never get old and every "Nothing is real" is chills-inducing. It's Lennon's best song while he was with the Beatles, which, one could argue, makes it his best song ever.
3. Something (Abbey Road)
Best love song ever? I'm not gonna give it that title just yet. Best Harrison song ever? Definitely, though several All Things Must Pass tracks give it a run for its money. But it is perfectly written. And it is perfectly recorded. And it is beautiful almost beyond words.
2. For No One & 1. Here There & Everywhere
These songs are twins. They are opposites, but they're both on the same album and they're both by the same person, about the same person (Jane Asher, look her up, like most mccartney did around this time was inspired by her, as early as 'We Can Work It Out'). Whereas Here There & Everywhere's chords go in an ascending pattern, making them sound hopeful and beautiful and warm, For No One descends down, making it heavy and sad. They mirror each other so well without even necessarily trying. It's just Perfect, with a capital P. The two greatest pieces of music ever composed, and they compliment each other like no other music I've ever heard.
I've had a very short life so far, but I'll still make a note of the fact that the highest peak of music I have ever heard is when, in Here There & Everywhere, the bridge transitions back to the verse smoothly, returning to the major chord. It's the warmest sound I've ever heard.
So yeah, those are the best songs ever written. I think the beatles are a pretty good band
