A while back here I decided to work out my least favourite Beatles songs. This was a tricky job as I regards the Fab Four as the best band that ever existed, or will ever exist. So, I decided to look at the other end of the telescope, and list my top ten favourite songs - after about 30 seconds it became clear that choosing only ten would be impossible, I had twelve jotted down without thinking - so I expanded it to twenty. Now, I have my personal favourites, but I have found over the years that certain "classic" songs have been "all played out", that is to say, despite their obvious qualities, and universal approval, I really don't need to hear them again. I have written about this in an earlier post "here".
Listed below are songs that I have yet to grow tired of. Of course this may happen in the future, but for the moment, all the songs listed still give me something fresh when listened to today.
Examples of classic songs that didn't make my list are "Strawberry Fields Forever", "A Day In The Life" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" to name but three.
Without making it a hard and fast rule, I was reluctant to include any of the many "cover" versions that the band released, and as it turned out, all 20 of my choices are band-composed.
There's no way I could rank them 1 to 20 either, so I present them in alphabetical order, and for this exercise, they are "all" equally my favourites.
BABY YOU'RE A RICH MAN
There's something about that wiggly synth-like instrument squeaking away throughout the song that gets me every time. DON'T LET ME DOWN
The recent "Get Back" series has confirmed to me that this passionate rocker has a special place in my heart, not least for the killer piano part from Billy Preston.
HELLO GOODBYE
I am a sucker for a clean, bright production and arrangement (being an amateur producer and arranger myself), and this chunk of pure pop is cleaner than a soap factory floor.
HERE COMES THE SUN
The most popular Beatles tune according to Spotify, and I have considered it "all played out" in the past, but man, it's just brilliant.
HEY BULLDOG
Some might consider this an odd choice, but it may be because it is slightly under the radar that it still sounds fresh.
I AM THE WALRUS
After I had finished this article I realised I had missed out "Walrus", which meant that I had to make a choice to take out another one. After much chin scratching, I reluctantly gave "Get Back" the hook.
IN MY LIFE
Just a genius song from so early in their career, a perfect couple of minutes, made even more perfect (?) by George Martin's solo.
LET IT BE
A modern hymn, I have chosen this over something like "Hey Jude" as, blasphemous as it is to admit, I have grown a little weary of the ten minute fade out on Jude.
LONG AND WINDING ROAD
This song has endured partly because of the freshness of the stripped-down "original" version from "Let It Be-Naked", and Paul's voice is just honey on velvet.
NOWHERE MAN
Another song I have always loved, given a boost with the "Yellow Submarine Songtrack" remix which brings out the magical vocal intro and toppy guitar solo even more than the original.
PAPERBACK WRITER
I see this song dismissed regularly, which baffles me, it has a killer guitar riff and revolutionary vocal harmonies.
PENNY LANE
Similar to Hello Goodbye, I love this for it's shimmering production.
RAIN
Would have loved to have seen this included on Revolver, I can certainly live without "Here There And Everywhere" which is in my "least favourite" list.
REVOLUTION
I'm talking about the single "heavy" version, I have grown to like the slower album cut after the Giles Martin remix of "The Beatles", but the heavy version kicks serious butt.
SHE'S A WOMAN
A slightly odd choice I get but this was one of the early songs that really got me into the band, I love it's manic choppy guitar riff, way ahead of its time.
SOMETHING
Come on, who in the world doesn't like this? Over the years it has matured like a fine wine.
TAXMAN
George makes another appearance, such an original song with great lyrics.
TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS
In 1966 this sounded like music from another planet, today it still sounds like music from the future.
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
Glad that Ringo makes an appearance, to be honest "Octopus's Garden" is bubbling under also. See what I did there?
YOU NEVER GIVE ME YOUR MONEY
To be honest side 2 of Abbey Road is all killer/no filler, with this gem sparkling in the middle.
So, there's 20 brilliant Beatle tunes, I thought about making a playlist on Spotify, but there's a chance they would become "all played out", so I'll catch them when I catch them, still sounding fresh.