Top Ten of My Favorite Beatles Songs

I consider myself to be one very lucky girl. Despite any difficulties I had with my mother, she gave me a gift I'll always be grateful for: The gift of music. Because of her, I don't just appreciate music...I feel it in my soul. And that gift has saved me many times in my life.

First, it gave me a deep connection with my mother I'd never have had. She suffered all of her life with bipolar disorder, refusing traditional treatment and seeking comfort in other more maladaptive ways. But she was truly one of the most talented musician's I've ever known. I learned at a young age that by connecting with her on that musical plain...the place where mental illness and addiction couldn't touch or destroy...was a blessing.

Music got me through my teenage years that were ravished with insecurity, depression and fighting the statistics wanting to drag me under the currents with other forgotten children lost between the cracks of a tunnel-visioned system. It picked me up, gave me strength and carried me through to adulthood.

And, most significantly to me, it gave me a way to connect with my daughter, Jaimie, during times when she was "unreachable." When I'd lost her in the throws of a sensory tantrum or when the world seemed too scary for her, I sang to her or played music and it calmed her enough to come back to me.

Now I love all sorts of music from hard rock to jazz; from rap to country; and from Wiggles to punk. All music has one thing in common: the power to be the great communicator. (Thanks for that quote, Randy!) But out of all music out there, one band's music has been consistently part of my life-in all the scenarios above and beyond-the Beatles.

There's just something about their music, as a group as well as what each man accomplished individually, that spans across generations, music styles and the world. It isn't just the notes they play or the way their voices blend together so perfectly but the words...the lyrics...in a lot of the songs have meaning. And each of us absorbs something different from it. How powerful is that?!

In appreciation to the Beatles and all they have meant to me, my mother, my children and people all over the world, I've put together my list of their ten best songs. Some will agree with me, some won't others will have their own favorites (which I invite you to add in the comment section, including your reasons for your choices) but none will argue these are great ones.

Thank you so very much to Paul, John, George and Ringo for your everlasting and eternal gift to us. You'll never know the happiness (and relief, sometimes) your music has brought to my house. There's a little girl here in Canada who sings the lyrics to Blackbird whenever her insides feel bad-the only thing that calms her and there's a Mummy who'll be a fan of yours long after the last candle goes out on the "Fab Four."
Here's my Top Ten Beatles Song list, in no particular order:

(1) Blackbird: I love the beautiful simplicity of this song. My mother sang it whenever her mind raced, I sang it whenever mind did and I sing it to Jaimie as we do her Sensory Diet or when she's feeling scared or anxious. For some reason, it's so calming.

(2) In My Life: I read somewhere that this was like an autobiographical story of John's. I didn't fully appreciate the song until after I'd lost my grandparents.

(3) Things We Said Today: Just makes me think about the importance of saying what you want to/need to say while you have time to.

(4) Something: What can I say? This song just makes me tear up...so beautiful.

(5) Norwegian Wood: This song is hauntingly beautiful and just love how John's voice sounds.

(6) A Day In The Life: Absolutely one of the most brilliant songs I've ever heard. The lyrics are fun and playful but in a tongue-and-cheek sort of way that John was infamous for. And the contrasting tempos work great.

(7) Tomorrow Never Knows: I just love this song because it's funky, Ringo's drumbeats are awesome and it's very "John."

(8) Come Together: I really like the beat of this song and it's simple message.

(9) Golden Slumbers: I remember singing this to my Mom once as she laid with her head in my lap on our kitchen floor, easing her through a down cycle. I've also sung it to Jaimie. She sings it pretty good herself, actually!

(10) Let It Be: Who doesn't know and love this song?

[My favorite songs by them individually are: "All Those Years Ago," by George; "Imagine," by John and "Baby, I'm Amazed," by Paul. Ringo...I really liked your version of "You're Sixteen."]