This is the eleventh in a 13 post long series about my favorite artists and their best music. To check out my previous entry on this series, click here.
They are the highest selling artist of all time to date, and like Batman on a list of anyone's favorite superheroes, a favorite music artists list would be incomplete sans the "Fab Four".
Without further ado, welcome The Beatles.
Favorite Artists of All Time Series
The Beatles
Ranking: #3
Genre: Pop-Rock;
SUB: pop ballads - Indian - Psychedelia Rock - Hard Rock; w/ classical elements incorporated
Best Song: Hey Bulldog/I am The Walrus
Many would disagree and say they should be number one. And if you made your own list, I wouldn't argue. If any of you know me personally you know who my clear cut number one is. But my number two and three artists were so interchangeable I was practically restless having to decide which got the higher ranking. As you can see, the other musician(s) won out. But hey. Top three? They should be in EVERY person's top three.
The Beatles changed the game in the music industry. Introducing new ideas into their music whilst mixing that with techniques of old. Whether the Lennon-McCartney, George Harrison's guitar skills, or the solidity of Ringo Star's percussion, you have to agree they did some pretty sweet stuff, and the fact that they changed and adapted as much as they did in less then ten years is astounding. Like, I hear one album versus a later one, and you'd think they were made in two different decades the style of each is so non-similar.
And yet only a couple years apart. The group themselves were light years ahead of everyone in the music industry during the 60's.
Merrick. You're heaping a lot of praise. How are they third?
I have to give credit where credit is due. The other two artists haven't changed music like The Beatles did. Nor will they. Yet I like their music better. I love these guys. I do. And they accomplished things no one will most likely come close to. They did. It's a fact. Those things are objective. But at the end of it, this list is subjective. If it was objective? My top two wouldn't even crack the top 100. Heck my number one wouldn't even make the top 200! To the industry, he's still a slight nobody with only one somewhat cool accomplishment.
But that's a bunny trail...
Why should you listen to these guys. Well ignore the facts and numbers - they may be one of the only artists that transcend time and are listenable during both the 60's, 2018, and everywhere between. All ages can enjoy their funky music that is - let's face it - pretty weird. Their beginning stuff is your typical 60's music (the best of it's kind mind you) and as you progress through the Beatle journey that is 12 official albums, it begins to have a life of it's own, changing, fluctuating, and bringing ideas to the forefront that no one other human had thought of at that point. And awesomely enough, no one Beatle outshines the other, they are a group. They are one. They come together (ha ha). Each member gets their moment to have the spotlight.
The Beatles hold the honor of being the most successful artist (solo or band) ever. "Beatlemania" will live on forever in the hearts of millions.
I don't gotta say anymore - just get around to listening to these guys will ya? Geez.
And of course, my own playlist of The Fab Four's greatest hits.
Best Songs:
*Honorable Mentions
- I Want To Hold Your Hand - Not on an official studio album
- Hello, Goodbye - Magical Mystery Tour
- Back In The U.S.S.R - The White Album
- Day Tripper - Released as a single
- Drive My Car - Rubber Soul
- Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
12. Paperback Writer - (Released as a single) 1966
A fun jam with a sweet and almost gruff electric sound with one of their most famous melodic lines.
11. Penny Lane - (Released as a single) 1967
A lighter track as the flute and the poppy, upbeat and optimistic sounding bass open up the song, the song is sung as a group versus one singing solo as they paint the portrait of the area in which the famous titular street in Liverpool lies.
10. Octopus's Garden - Abbey Road (1969)
Only the second song written and sung by Drummer Ringo Starr (it would be his last during his tenure as a Beatle), the song is pleasant to the ears with lots of imagination and thoughtful lyrics.
Take a swim down to Mr. Octopus's Garden one of these days - you'll love it.
9. Lady Madonna - (Released as a single) 1968
I remember the first time I heard this song till this day (though I don't remember the exact day mind you):
Before the days of having my own personal device and apps like Spotify to listen to whatever the heck I wanted, I was painting (or something like that) our front porch by myself. Wanting to listen to SOMETHING, I grabbed my dads iPad and plugged that in. I saw he had a Beatles collage of music. I loved the Beatles the same then as I do now. Clicked shuffle and immediately I had this sick piano riff kick into my ears. I knew I would like whatever was playing.
Wacky and fun, this will always be a favorite of mine. And why not throw in a saxophone solo for kicks right?
8. Come Together - Abbey Road (1969)
Who doesn't like singing about themselves? Well that's what this song does, with each member of the foursome getting a verse written about himself.
Cool and chillaxed, Come Together isn't loud or over the top either, but is a perfect blend of sound that can be listened to at any time.
7. Yesterday - (Released as a single) 1965
This song needs no introduction, nor an explanation. Just go listen to it if you haven't. Trust me.
6. A Day In The Life - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
This may in fact be the most ambitious song ever attempted. And while it's not my all time favorite, many magazines and critics unanimously agree this is the Beatles greatest song and one of history's greatest pieces ever written. I can certainly see where they're coming from. This song is pretty dope. Not gonna lie. The story it tells along with the changes in pace and sounds are awesome. It really is more of a medley of songs that combine to make one great song.
5. Something - Abbey Road (1969)
This is the mother of all "chill" songs. Every person who listens to music has their "chill" playlist. Well this is the first song that should be on all those playlists. Singing about the power a woman has over the singer, this is genius of a song is George Harrison's greatest accomplishment. Being covered by over 150 artists, Something is by far and away the best song on the Beatles best album.
4. Let It Be - Let It Be (1970)
A Beatles best songs list would be incomplete without the titular track off the Fab Four's final album after their breakup in 69'.
The message is inspirational and the melody is simple. Paul's words can put you at rest for a least three minutes and fifty seconds despite whatever it is the listener is going through in their life. Oh, and who doesn't love that sick organ lick that leads to another famous George Harrison Guitar solo?
While many assume Paul meant the Catholic Mother Mary in the song, indeed that's not the case. McCartney explained that his mother – who died of cancer when he was fourteen – was the inspiration for the "Mother Mary" lyric. He later said: "It was great to visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So that got me writing 'Let It Be'." He also said in a later interview about the dream that his mother had told him, "It will be all right, just let it be."
I wish I had dreams that led to such iconic songs. Sheesh...
3. Hey Jude - (Released as a single) 1968
"Na Na Na". Sure you've heard it before. Commercially successful like none other at the time of it's release, this chart topping song has rivaled "A Day in the Life" for the greatest Beatle song by many writers. The song is simple enough that I learned it when I was eleven years old on the guitar yet it's so good, and will continue to beat the test of time. The melody is easily the most well known Beatle tune: lots of "na's" followed by "Hey Jude". Doesn't get better then this folks.
2. I Am The Walrus - Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
For YEARS this was my number one favorite Beatles song. And while at last minute it was leap frogged for a lesser known song that no one would have at the top of their list, this comes so eerily close to the top I might as well have had a tie.
Can I just say this?
Weirdest. Song. Ever. Written.
I love it :)
Kudos to John Lennon who purposefully wrote a song that would confuse anyone who ever dared to listen to it, proving that not all of the Beatles songs are written for special meaning. "To heck with logic!" Lennon yells, furiously writing the most random lyrics he could squabble together I imagine.
1. Hey Bulldog - Yellow Submarine (1969)
This is reportedly the last song in which all four members were truly having a good time with each other's company before things got sour, adding even more special meaning to this song that began as a jam session with a few lines written for the piece. Paul began to bark suddenly which led to random yelling and singing and shouting. And that piano riff is the best they've ever written with Paul piecing together what I believe is the greatest bass line in music history. In an ending where they all go nuts, they surely had fun with Bulldog, and will be a special one for years to come.
Agree? Disagree? Bit a both? Let me know your thoughts and check out other content on my site!
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