My Top Ten Beatles Songs

Let's imagine getting a thousand Beatles fans in a room. If you asked them to name their top ten Beatles songs would there be any two lists that were the same? Good chance there wouldn't be. Well, here's an opportunity to compare your list to mine. I think you will find it a little different, but worthy just the same. In chronological order (more or less), here are my favorite Top Ten Beatle Songs.

She Loves You

Yes, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" really broke the boys out in America. But from the opening drum roll this song just exudes more energy. It also gave them that early identity as the "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" guys. I really like George's guitar work in this song. A little bit of lead, a little bit of both choppy and soft extended chords, all mix well to keep the song interesting and vibrant. That's why "She Loves You" makes it on my top ten Beatles song list.

She's a Woman

This is rock and roll at its best. What stands out in this song is the emotion. Everything is urgently strained. From Paul's voice to George's incredible, emphatic, staccato chords, they are truly feeling this woman they're singing about. There's some really nice drum work by Ringo as well. I can't play this one just once, so it makes my top ten Beatles song list.

I'm Looking Through You

This catchy and lively tune has Paul singing about his newly ex-girlfriend, Jane Asher. What I love about this song, off the groundbreaking album "Rubber Soul", is its double entendre. While written as a song about a love gone bad, haven't you ever applied it to just about anyone who's obviously trying to put one over on you but doing it badly? And this, as most of the material on Rubber Soul, displays the deeper songwriting skills of the boys that would just keep coming in all their work to follow. It's another one that's worthy of my top ten Beatles song list.

Norwegian Wood

This is John's turn to sing about love; actually an affair (he was married at the time). What impresses me here is the collaboration with George, who introduces us to the sitar on "Rubber Soul". In addition, you have that haunting melody. This is top ten Beatles song list material.

Here, There, and Everywhere

From the album "Revolver", this light and airy (silly?) love song is one of Paul's best. Paul's lead vocals, combined with the tender backing vocals, just blend ever so sweetly. A great wedding song, it makes my top ten Beatles song list.

She's Leaving Home

Off arguably the best rock album of all time, "Sgt. Pepper's", this song epitomizes the hippie movement of the summer of love. How many people ran away from home to break free of societal constraints back then? There were too many to tell. Because of its capture of this moment in time, it makes the top ten Beatles song list.

A Little Help From My Friends

My favorite Ringo song, it is a classic sing-along. Despite its melancholy tone I always sense exuberance in Ringo's voice. He stays low here, and John and Paul compliment him perfectly by singing the high notes in the background. And of course, there was Joe Cocker's incredible cover of this song to come later. I dare you to try and sing his version. Because it's a classic, its on my top ten Beatles song list.

Birthday

If you're a rocker, isn't this the birthday song you want to hear at your party? It just gets you going. The energetic guitar riff, the heavily beaten drums, and the sing-along vocals just make you want to join in with the singing and dancing. And if you want to keep this mood going, just go to that other rocking cut off the "White Album", "Back in the USSR" (yeah, I just sneaked in number 11 with the great Beach Boy rivalry). Because we've all been to birthday parties, this is on the top ten Beatles song list.

Oh Darling

What can I say? I'm addicted to powerful staccato chords, complimented in this song with some staccato lead playing. As in "She's a Woman", Paul's vocals are delightfully strained on this "Abbey Road" classic. And because I love it, it's on my top ten Beatles song list.

Let It Be

All good things must come to an end, and this was Paul's attempt to ease relations between the band members as the band was breaking up. Seems this was Paul's way of delivering the same message George was often relaying; diminish your self-importance because life goes on within you and without you. The Beatles were an important band, but it was time to let go, and life would go on. "Let It Be" was the last album released by the Beatles, and that's the final song on my top ten Beatles song list.

I told you it would be a bit unique. But every one's a classic.