Current Events > The top 100 Beatles songs (with write ups)

(+) Yeah! (+)

Hello everyone. A couple of years ago a made a topic listing off what I considered to be the top 100 Beatles songs. Since my opinions on the Beatles and their wide discography are constantly changing, I figure it would be fun to do this again, as many things will be different this time. Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the original list. I never saved it anywhere, so I won't be able to use it for comparison. That being said, let's get started. I'll be doing one song per post at the start, but I'll start doing multiple songs once we get going.

100. Savoy Truffle

Starting off the list is a song I constantly go back and forth on. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I don't. This is one of George's four contributions to the White Album, and is probably the most lighthearted. While "Long Long Long" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" are relatively serious and somber songs and "Piggies" is a political commentary, "Savoy Truffle" is a song about candy. The lyrics have George listing off different flavors from a box of candy, but warns that "you'll have to have them all pulled out after the savoy truffle," implying that it's the most devilish candy in the box, so sugary that you'll have to have all of your teeth pulled. It's a fun, lighthearted little rocker that shows a more playful side of George.
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1. Helter Skelter
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Butterfiles posted...

1. Revolution 9

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Freddie_Mercury posted...

Butterfiles posted...

1. Revolution 9

thank you for correcting my post sir.
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99. I'm So Tired

And we follow up with another White Album track. "I'm So Tired" is a little tune that nobody seems to talk about. Written by John during one of many sleepless nights, he sounds almost angry about his lack of sleep. You can really hear the frustration in his vocals, especially during the second chorus, where he practically screams, "I'm going insane!" It's a relatively mellow song that becomes more instense as it progresses, which I interpret as John's personal frustration growing worse with every passing night. The main verses almost seem like stream of consciousness, with John pondering whether he should get a drink or smoke a cigarette. It's fitting, since he was apparently really "so tired" when he wrote this that he was probably just writing down every thought that went through his head. Check it out.
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I thought you did this last year. Has it really been longer than that?
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KainWind posted...

I thought you did this last year. Has it really been longer than that?

Well I guess it's actually been a year and a half. It was summer of 2016
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98. She's a Woman

This is a relatively simple song. Seriously, as far as instrumentation goes it's nothing remarkable. Lyrically it's just about a guy talking about how loyal his lady is. What makes this song great is Paul McCartney's lead vocals. Paul absolutely carries this track, with a thumping bass line and one of the most raw performances he's ever given vocally. You can definitely hear the influence of artists like Carl Perkins here, as the song goes for a more southern/country vibe.
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97. The Ballad of John and Yoko

If I could describe this is one word it would be "breezy." Something about the acoustic guitar that carries the track gives this pleasant kind of spring time vibe if that makes any sense. Couple this with the almost tropical sounding electric guitar peppered throughout and you've got a pretty fun song. The lyrics detail John's efforts to marry Yoko Ono, and while we may all have opinions on that affair, at least it led to this fun little number. Here's an interesting fact for you. John and Paul are the only two members of the band who appear on this track. Both George and Ringo were out at the time. This was recorded during a rather tumultuous time for the group, and many tracks from this period don't feature all four members. Still, it's worth checking out.
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96. This Boy

What I like most about this song is the three way harmony that carries through the entire track. In fact, I believe this may be the only song in which John, Paul, and George sing in harmony for the entire duration of the song. That alone gets this song some props. As for lyrical content, this is your typical early era Beatles love song. They weren't exactly known for the most compelling lyrics in the early years. I do really like Paul's bass part here. It kind of reminds me of something you'd here in lounge music. You can definitely hear the influence of 50s rock with this one.
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95. I Don't Want to Spoil the Party

Here's a rather overlooked track from a rather overlooked album. Beatles For Sale definitely isn't the most memorable Beatles album, but considering it was cranked out in just a few short months after A Hard Day's Night I can forgive it's shortcomings. This song is about a poor guy who can't have any fun at a party because it seems the woman he loves has left him. He doesn't want to bring the other partygoers down, so he decides to leave and look for his lost love. Like many tracks on the album, this song has roots in country music. It seems that the group was experimenting with the genre during this time, once again taking inspiration from artists like Carl Perkins (a cover of a Perkins song is even on this album). It's a nice little tune that's worth a listen.
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I'm inclined to ask if anyone is even reading this
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#1: Come Together
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ctrl+f fixing a hole
ctrl+f lovely rita
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94. I Should Have Known Better

It's hard not to be in a good mood when listening to this song. From the upbeat tempo to the energetic harmonica, this track just screams "good vibes." I can help but think of the scene from the film where the band plays cards with some pretty girls on the train while jamming out to this tune. Like most early Beatles tunes, it's a song about innocent fun and young love. Maybe that's why these songs stand the test of time.
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93. I'm Down

The opening to this song is iconic. Like "She's a Woman," this song features another roaring lead vocal from Paul. This feels like a 50s style rocker much in the spirit of Jerry Lee Lewis. There isn't too much to say about. It's a high energy tune that's fun to listen to.
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92. I'm a Loser

Another entry from Beatles For Sale. This album is pretty underrated I must say. "I'm a Loser" shows a more insecure side of John, singing about how he's lost someone dear to him, though it seems to also be about his own personal feelings toward himself. I believe that John really considered himself to be a loser. Like other tracks from the album, this song is heavily rooted in country and bluegrass, complete with a harmonica solo.
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91. I Wanna Be Your Man

Coming in at 91 is our first song from With the Beatles. This song is a high energy tune that just makes you wanna dance. It also has a pretty unique origin. The song was originally written by Lennon and McCartney to be performed by The Rolling Stones. While the Stones did in fact use the song, the Beatles ended up doing their own version anyway. I like both, but I think the Beatles version edges out over the somewhat slower take by the Stones.
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90. Polythene Pam

Maybe it isn't fair to list this song since it's technically part of the Abbey Road Medley, but the tracks in the medley are listed as individual songs so I'll treat them as such. "Polythene Pam" is a high energy rock song about a woman who "good looking but she looks like a man." She's also apparently the sister of Mean Mr. Mustard, the protagonist of the preceding song on the album. I really enjoy the guitar solo on this tune. Overall it's pretty good stuff.
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Is anybody actually reading this because if not I might just stop. I remember my original topic got a good reception but maybe doing it again wasn't the best idea
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Tag.

Im reading. I probably wont comment much until you get down to 25 or so. Good start so far!
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89. Long, Long, Long

This song is another one if George's contributions to the White Album. "Long, Long, Long," can be interpreted a few different ways. You could say that it's a love song about a man who has finally found the one he's meant to be with, but I think it's probably about George's religion. It's no secret that he was very involved in Hinduism, and I think that this song is about that much like many of his other works. The most memorable part of this track is the end, where the soft tune suddenly becomes a cacophony of wailing and crashing only for it to cease, leaving nothing but silence. It's a haunting ending.
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Fun fact: My top 40 MJ songs w/ write-ups topic from 2016 inspired this topic
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Scotty_Rogers posted...

Fun fact: My top 40 MJ songs w/ write-ups topic from 2016 inspired this topic

Yeah
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BlueBoy675 posted...

Scotty_Rogers posted...

Fun fact: My top 40 MJ songs w/ write-ups topic from 2016 inspired this topic

Yeah

Ayyyyyyy Fam!
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M_Live posted...

I've always meant to actually explore the Beatles discog, I've barely scratched the surface beyond their most popular songs tbh

Use this topic as a reference then! I'm covering the entire catalog with this list. Hopefully you'll find something new to enjoy from it! Part of why I'm doing this is to share my love of the Beatles
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88. Baby's In Black

Yes, another Beatles For Sale song. I quite like this one. John and Paul sing in harmony through the entire track. When the publisher asked which one was the lead vocal, Paul said they both were. The lyrics are about the widow of Stuart Sutcliffe, the "fifth Beatle" who left the group to pursue a career in art only to pass away shortly afterwards. "Baby's In Black" describes his wife, Astrid, dressed all in black for her late husband. "And I'm feeling blue" John and Paul sing. It's a surprisingly dark song for this point in their career.
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Payzmaykr posted...

#1: Come Together

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I've skim-read, will read in full going onward. I don't comment that much anymore myself, but your efforts are appreciated by me ^^

Maybe I'm misremembering / confusing you with someone who did a similar list / critique, but I thought you hated 'She's a Woman.' So I was pleasantly surprised to find it ranked, as well as giving an appraisal that I wholeheartedly agree with.

Also, considering the number of times you've already noted 'Beatles for Sale' being underrated, I'm crossing my fingers that 'What You're Doing' makes the list *crosses fingers*
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I'm pretty sure I had "She's a Woman" on the original list as well, and in a relatively similar position iirc. Maybe not though. But if someone said they hated it then it definitely wasn't me

I'm kinda glad I don't have the original list because I don't want it influencing my current opinions
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Tag
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Tag. Missed the first topic, thanks for doing another.
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87. Baby, You're a Rich Man

This song is um... a little weird. Found on Magical Mystery Tour, this track has a very surreal tone and even more surreal lyrics. Just listen to that chorus

Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man too

You keep all your money in a big brown bag
Inside a zoo
What a thing to do!

And yet it works. It just works.
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Cool, I'll follow this topic. Haven't listened to them a great deal lately, but for a few years I was playing them almost every day.
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86. Maxwell's Silver Hammer

"It's a happy song about murder" - Paul McCartney

Yep, that about sums it up. "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is about a young man who murders his girlfriend, teacher, and even the judge at his own trial with his silver hammer. Considering the subject matter of the lyrics, the song itself is disturbingly upbeat. I think that's what makes it memorable overall. And of course the chorus is just catchy as hell. How can you not sing along with every "bang bang?"
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85. I Want to Tell You

This is a song from Revolver that often goes overlooked. "I Want to Tell You" is one of three songs on the album written by George. It opens with a bluesy guitar riff and turns into a rather odd sounding tune that I can't really describe. You get the trademark Beatles harmonies with this one. It's not the best Revolver has to offer, that comes later, but it's still a good tune overall.
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84. Flying

This is a trippy little instrumental (save for some chanting as the song progresses) found on Magical Mystery Tour. You've probably heard this used in various TV shows and movies. People like to pair it with scenes of people tripping out and getting pyschadelic. As for the song itself, it's a good one. It's the kind of song where you just close your eyes and let the music take you. It's almost like you really are flying.
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83. Old Brown Shoe

I don't think I ever hear anyone talking about this little number. You can find it on Past Masters, a collection of singles from throughout the group's career. This is another George song, featuring a visceral, in your face bassline from... George himself. Paul didn't actually play the bass for this one, but that doesn't mean he isn't there. You can hear him harmonizing on the vocals. The song itself is heavily rooted in blues. George (and also John) really loved the blues. He made his way into the group by playing tunes by Duane Eddy. George was a true old school rocker.
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82. The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill

Like many songs found on the White Album, "Bungalow Bill" was written during the group's stay in India. The lyrics mockingly tell the story of a tiger hunter named Bill, who goes out with his elephant and gun in hopes of bagging a big one. He seems to be a bit of a coward though since he takes his mom with him in case he gets hurt. The song was supposedly inspired by an actual hunter John met in India who talked a big game but did indeed take his mother on hunts with him. The song itself sounds like it could be the theme song to a cheesy spaghetti western. It's hard not to sing along during the chorus.
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81. What You're Doing

This is yet another great song from Beatles For Sale. The drum beat at the beginning makes the song instantly recognizable. In the song Paul singing about how his girl's lying ways are driving him up a wall.

Why should it be so much
To ask of you
What you're doing to me

The same drum beat that opens the song closes it out as well with a little bass part to accompany it. It's rather upbeat and definitely a fun tune to listen to.
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BlueBoy675 posted...

81. What You're Doing

Yaaaaaaaay! :D
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80. Getting Better

It's the first entry from Sgt. Pepper, "Getting Better" is a happy little number about a guy who lived a life of negativity, but now admits that things are getting better. What I like about the chorus is how while Paul sings about things looking up, John chimes in with "can't get no worse." That's John and Paul for you. John had a more negative outlook on life than Paul, and this is definitely reflected in their musical styles.
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79. Glass Onion

I consider this to be a celebration of previous Beatles tunes. The lyrics reference multiple songs from the group's career. "Strawberry Fields Forever," "I Am the Walrus," and "The Fool On the Hill" all get referenced along with many others. I always imagined this song as John just goofing off and having a fun time. There's even a line where he references the "Paul is dead" conspiracy.

I told you bout the walrus and me man
I tell you we're as close as can be man
Well here's another clue for you all
The walrus was Paul

It's not the best White Album track but it's a good one.
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78. If I Needed Someone

This is one of the most recognizable guitar riffs from the 60s. George said that he was trying to emulate the style of the Byrds with this tune, and critics agreed. A 12 string guitar was used for the lead part, and it gives the song a very unique twang that's very pleasant on the ears. Like many songs off of Rubber Soul, this one is essential for any Beatles fan to know.
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