Since the Beatles are one of my favorite artists, I figured it'd be cool to do my first blog post that isn't a review on my Top 10 favorite Beatles songs. I guess one could say that this is in honor of going to see my favorite musician, Paul McCartney, play in Greensboro! The only real criteria for this is that the songs must be Beatles originals, which means that covers don't count.
All My Loving (1963; from With the Beatles; US #45)
I believe that this song is one of the most significant songs in the Beatles' catalogue, even if only for the fact that it was the very first song American audiences heard when the Fab Four first came to America. Indeed, this song is what the Beatles chose to open their famed appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. I love this song so much because it's little more than an innocent love song and doesn't feel the need to be anything more. What else really needs to be said about it?
Because (1969; from Abbey Road)
Because (1969; from Abbey Road)
In my opinion, this is the most underrated song from Abbey Road. It's beautiful, trippy, and relaxing. It's a song to make you reflect and to enjoy the simpler things in life, like a sunset or the smell of freshly baked bread. While this song can definitely invoke a certain feeling when listening to it, the music in this song is nothing to joke about. John, Paul, and George sing a haunting three-part harmony that is then re-recorded twice, making nine vocal parts in total. "Because" is also one of the first known cases of a Moog synthesizer being used in a pop song. Whether it's the extraordinary musical composition or the feeling that it brings when you listen to it, "Because" is a wonderful song all around.
Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (1967; from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (1967; from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
This is yet another underrated Beatles tune, a tune which strangely enough comes from their most popular studio album. It's one of the more unique songs in the Beatles catalogue. There are some strange chord progressions going on here, a challenging bassline, some cool organ parts, and everything in between. Having been covered by both Cheap Trick and the Flaming Lips in recent times, as well as being played by Paul McCartney in recent live shows. Even if Paul himself didn't sing on it, it's still awesome to hear a Beatle sing a Beatles deep cut that was never performed live by any of the other Beatles. It's just cool that the song is getting more exposure than it has been in the past.
I'm Happy Just To Dance With You (1964; from A Hard Day's Night)
I'm Happy Just To Dance With You (1964; from A Hard Day's Night)
In my opinion, this is the absolute most underrated Beatles song throughout their entire discography. Aside from being featured on the soundtrack for the movie A Hard Day's Night (obviously, since it's a Beatles movie) this song hasn't enjoyed the same popularity as the other songs on the album, like "Can't Buy Me Love" or "A Hard Day's Night." Though this one was written by John, it was sung by George, and to my knowledge it was almost never played live by the Beatles. It isn't even 2 minutes long, and even though I really like songs that are short, sweet, and to the point, I wouldn't mind if this song was a little longer.
In My Life (1965; from Rubber Soul)
In My Life (1965; from Rubber Soul)
This is one of the first songs by a rock band that I can remember hearing. I remember hearing the opening guitar lick when I was younger, and while I was too young to care what it was back then, it's still one that stuck with me all these years. Now that I'm older, the lyrics really stick with me as well. It may be cliche to play this as a season finale or at a funeral, but it's definitely one that I'd want played at my own funeral.
I've Just Seen A Face (1965; from Help!)
I've Just Seen A Face (1965; from Help!)
It's simply impossible for me to feel bad while listening to this song. This song may be best known for being used in this scene from Across the Universe, but Paul McCartney has also been including it in his live shows as of recent. It's a blissful love song that can turn any bad day into a good one with its upbeat tempo and lyrics.
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (1965; from Rubber Soul)
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (1965; from Rubber Soul)
This song is probably most famous for being one of the first songs in popular music to feature a sitar. However, the sitar is only part of why I love this song. The Beatles are known for writing love songs, but they always focus on so many different aspects of love; in this case, love takes a slightly darker turn when Lennon sings about an affair. It is kind of strange when you consider that this is the same guy who wrote "You Can't Do That" and "You're Going To Lose That Girl", but "Norwegian Wood" is such an original and catchy song that I don't really mind it all that much.
Something (1969; from Abbey Road; US #1)
Something (1969; from Abbey Road; US #1)
As I stated before, the Fab Four wrote a lot of love songs. Silly love songs, funny love songs, serious love songs; you name it, they probably wrote it. For me personally, I don't think any of their love songs comes even close to this one. Really, no love song in any genre comes close to this one in my opinion. It's the only Beatles song written by George Harrison to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and he certainly deserves it.
Tomorrow Never Knows (1966; from Revolver)
Tomorrow Never Knows (1966; from Revolver)
"Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream / It is not dying / It is not dying." I could not think of a better song to end Revolver as an album. Trademarked by the droning tamboura, Ringo's non-standard drum pattern, and Lennon's distorted vocal, it's a trip to listen to. "Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void / It is not dying / It is not dying."
Yesterday (1965; from Help!; US #1)
Yesterday (1965; from Help!; US #1)
For a song that's so short, there's so much you can say about it. It is one of the most-covered song in popular music, with over 2,000 covers. It is a song that Paul McCartney searched around for weeks to make sure he hadn't stolen the melody from someone else. It's also a pretty depressing song, but the lyrics are written in such a way that it just works. Not to mention the melody is just stellar. Cliche as it may sound, I get chills every time I hear this song.