They were known as the Fab Four and when they came across the “pond” all American Music just stopped and let them pass by. The Beatles were a musical force of nature. They originally started out as a typical “boy band” when they first arrived on the scene but transformed into a butterfly and flew beyond the constraints of popular culture to become iconic musicians in each of their own rights. While they have dozens and dozens of great songs in their portfolio, below are my favorite five songs from the Beatles.
In My Life (Rubber Soul, 1965) Named the best song in rock history by Mojo Magazine, this quintessential ballad had lyrics written by Lennon with the music by McCartney. The song originally was written from the perspective of a bus trip through Liverpool with streets such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, but Lennon thought that was a terrible set of lyrics and re-wrote the song with McCartney. The line, “Some are dead and some are living” was in reference to the Beatles original Stu Sutcliffe who had died in 1962.
A Day In The Life (Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967) A great story song that ends the Sgt. Pepper album, really started out as two songs or ideas, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The inspiration for this song possibly came from Tara Browne, a friend of the Beatles and heir to the Guiness fortune, who had recently died in a car accident. While the situation wasn’t exact, Lennon was quoted as saying that his friend was on his mind as he was writing the song.
Eleanor Rigby (Revolver, 1966) A song almost completely done in one chord (E, for Elenore?), Eleanor Rigby is a mournful ballad about a lonely woman accompanied by a string octet arranged by George Martin. According to McCartney, the original name of Eleanor Rigby was Miss Daisy Hawkins. Father McKenzie was made a clergyman to make sure they weren’t talking about Paul’s own father darning socks. In later years, a gravestone for an Eleanor Rigby was found in St. Peter’s Parish Church in Liverpool, not far from another gravestone marked “McKenzie”. When brought to the Beatle’s attention, Paul stated that if there was more than a coincidence, it came from his subconcious and nothing more.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles, 1969) This rock ballad by George Harrison came from his reading of the I-Ching and wrapping his mind around eastern philosophy. He based the lyrics off of the song by taking a random book, opening it and using the first two words he saw – “Gently Weeps”. The other Beatles really didn’t care for the song and Harrison invited his friend, Eric Clapton to come in and give a go at it. Clapton played lead guitar while George played rhythm guitar and sang lead vocals.
Here, There, and Everywhere (Revolver, 1966) This song may not make anyone else’s list, but it is absolutely one of my favorite songs from the Beatles. Written primarily by Paul McCartney, this song combines a bittersweet melody and contrasts this with cheerful lyrics. McCartney, Lennon, and George Martin have all commented this is one of their favorite songs the Beatles performed. McCartney has described the lyrics as trying to have a Beach Boys feel mixed with a little Marianne Faithfull. The song is awesome in its simplicity.
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#1 by Waggs2999 on July 14th, 2009
Where’s Hey Jude???
#2 by Susan on August 10th, 2009
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://disturbialyrics.net
#3 by Mike on December 8th, 2009
Where’s Strawberry Fields Forever idiot. If that’s not in your top five then your opinion means nothing. That song was so UNBELIEVABLY epic I feel like the world is going to collapse into itself every time I listen to it. It’s so great it transcends time. I couldn’t imagine another song created that could possibly challenge it. Lennon and the Beatles were at their absolute apex when he sang this song.
#4 by Jimm on December 8th, 2009
@Mike: It amazes me that you profess to love the Beatles and have so much passion about them, but then fall woefully short of everything they stood for. Other than needing lessons in etiquette and manners, your opinion is valued and recognized. Note: Your comment only made it onto these boards because I allowed it. Show some respect or it will be your last comment heard here.
#5 by Mike on December 8th, 2009
How dare you talk to me that way! I have never been so offended in my life! You sir are nothing but a hairy, knuckle dragging, troglodyte. There is absolutely no excuse for your boorish behavior. I am deeply concerned for your community in the wake of your vulgar comments. I don’t know who raised you (by the sounds of it, a pack of neanderthals), but I’m sure they would be shocked and disappointed to see the abysmal manner in which you purport yourself. Hopefully your brusque demeanor is not reflective of society as a whole, or we’re in heaps of trouble.
#6 by Jimm on December 9th, 2009
I thought about editing your latest comment into a cute little phrase about how sorry you were, but I’ll let the record stand. YOU came to MY site and called ME an “idiot” for not mentioning YOUR favoirite song. Then you take offense when I call you rude. You know what? Too bad. I’ll let you pull out your thesaurus and feign shock about being insulted. So what? Live with it.
#7 by Mike on December 9th, 2009
You sir are a brute.
#8 by Mike on December 9th, 2009
Del Negro should be fired on the spot. That loss yesterday was absolutely unacceptable.