The first band to really capture my heart and dominate my iPod throughout my junior high and high school years was The Beatles. I had nearly 200 of their songs on my iPod, not to mention a hoodie with the "Abbey Road" album artwork on it, a couple of posters, and a Beatles calendar in my possession as a teenager. I also may or may not have spent a lot of my Friday nights looking into their lyrics and what they might mean….

When I started using Spotify as a sophomore in college, I kind of stopped listening to them on a regular basis because they hadn’t sold their library yet; it almost made me not want to use Spotify. But all my Christmas dreams came true this year when they finally made their catalog available on Spotify. Now, I once again have nearly all their songs on my massive and ever-growing playlist. Life is complete.

I forgot what I was missing for those two long, empty years without The Fab Four brightening my days. Listening to their songs is a bit nostalgic now. When Kanye West and Paul McCartney collaborated and some poor, unfortunate souls thought Kanye was giving life to this wonderful new artist, all I could do was shake my head in pity and sadness for these lost souls. How you could be so unfamiliar with one of history’s most iconic bands is beyond me. I mean, my word processing program corrects the spelling of the band’s name when I type it wrong. That’s a big deal. But, hey, people get their heads stuck in the sand, stuff happens. I get it. Lucky for them, I’m going to give you a list of some Beatles songs you must listen to at least once. I’ll try to keep it short, no promises though.

1. “All You Need Is Love”

Number one was hard to choose; there are so many incredible songs in their catalogue. But this one carries a message that will last forever; all you need in life is love. That is a sentiment that is lost on so many people these days. The song itself is an anthem, it’s chorus now a motto known around the world. They wrote it for a show they played on a world wide broadcast of the show "Our World."The song may not have changed the world but it started something that still carries on today.

2. “Blackbird”

Only one of the most covered songs of all time. Also another song with an inspirational message, this one with a meaning that can be read a couple of ways. We know Paul was inspired to write it after reading an article covering a civil rights rally. When you take that to heart, the meaning seems very clear. But the song is masterful; it beings with Paul’s light as a feather guitar melody complemented by the inspirational lyrics of fighting for what you believe.

3. “Let It Be”

After listening to this song for years, it still gives me chills every time. The piano chords at the beginning remind you of a hymn and the lyrics carry an inspirational message that also has a doubled religious meaning. However, the “Mother Mary” Paul names is actually his birth mother who came to him in a dream during a dark period in his life. Regardless, the lyrics carry an emotional weight and importance many of the Fab Four’s other songs do not.

4. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

Without a doubt one of George Harrison’s finest songs, putting him in the spotlight for a change. It’s lyrics act as a counter- message to “All You Need Is Love,” reminding us that we have yet to fully understand love and learn how to show it. Although he is uncredited on the "White Album," Eric Clapton’s guitar work stands out in this song.

5. “A Day In The Life”

Argued to be one of The Beatles best songs for it’s genius, undeniable impact, and Paul and John’s collaborative efforts to bring the masterpiece to life. It’s placement at the end of one of rock’s most iconic albums, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," only adds to the greatness of this song. It will leave you feeling a little stunned and possibly speechless.

6. “Hey Jude”

Only one of the most iconic songs of all time that quite possibly served as the model for every rock anthem produced since then. While some say this is about addiction, it’s actually a song Paul wrote for John’s son, Julian, when John and his wife were getting divorced. It has a beautifully simple message about being tolerant, having patience, and opening your heart to the new people and life you’ll encounter. It was also unlike any other song at the time because it was over seven minutes long, the ending being longer than the song itself. “Naaa naaaa na na na na…”

7. “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”

Another iconic, yet trippy song off the "Sgt. Pepper's" album and undeniably written by John. Many believe the song is about an LSD trip, the song’s initials ironically spell LSD. But it’s actually just a really surrealistic song inspired by a drawing by John’s son, Julian. While there’s not really a particular message to this one, it will take you on a pretty gnarly daydream.

8. “Something”

A second of George’s wonderful songs and a very well known and acclaimed Beatles track. This one is also one of the most covered songs of all time. It’s a song with a beautiful melody with lyrics that ponder a man’s love for his girl. In short, George got a one up on Paul in the love song category with this one. Oddly enough, this beautiful ballad appears directly after "Abbey Road's" gritty “Come Together.”

9. “Come Together”

A song unlike any Beatles song to date, both in its sound and the off the wall lyrics. Some say the character in the song is John but in an interview John said the song was a failed attempt at writing a campaign song for Tom Leary. Regardless, it’s a great song and one that marked a definitive change in the Beatles’ sound.

10. “Get Back”

While this song isn’t one of the better Beatles' songs, it’s still loved by so many. The lyrics don’t make a lick of sense unless you think it’s about a gender-confused person who also doesn’t know where he/she belongs. It’s quite possible but it’s really just whatever the listener takes from it. I think what makes this song so compelling is the driving rhythm delivered by Ringo; it helps push the song along. Regardless, this song is worth a listen.

11. “Happiness Is A Warm Gun”

A song within a song within another song within yet another song that makes up one of the best tracks on the "White Album." John claimed the differing musical styles symbolize a history of rock, taking us from a folky entrance, a bluesy middle, and the last doo-wop section where they sing “bang, bang, shoot, shoot” as background “oohs” and “ahhs” fade away. I always thought the image the title brings about was a touch provoking but now it kind of makes me laugh; for some reason I imagine a lunatic delivering the one-liner with a crazy half smile.

12. “I Am The Walrus”

“I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.” Try wrapping your mind around that one or anything in this song for that matter. The lyrics make absolutely no sense to a sober person. But what makes this song great is the fact that it is markedly different from any other at the time; it’s psychedelic in the truest of ways. However, it surpasses everything else in that category with it at the time. It’s truly unique, it still is all these years later, and it probably always will be.

13. “If I Fell”

One of John’s beautiful ballads from "A Hard Day's Night."It was released on the B side of the album with another beautiful ballad, “And I Love Her,” mirroring it. But this song is indeed the more superior of the two. The lyrics are marked with an uncertainty and nervousness as the narrator pursues a new love interest. I feel there is something very relatable in that message even for our generation.

14. “Strawberry Fields Forever”

A song that nearly sums up everything the Fab Four were about, experimentation, introspection, and lovely music. It’s a timeless song that can still be appreciated today, referring to feelings of alienation and also asking for tolerance of those who live in the strawberry fields. The song is undeniably simple but also has many layers to it.

15. “Yesterday”

Another great by Paul, this one coming straight from his dreams, like some of the greatest creations often do. It took the Beatles into new territory releasing their first solo song; it’s got the Beatles name on it, but the only Beatle that plays on the track is Paul with the backing of a string quartet. The song’s message is simple, the narrator longs for yesterday when everything was alright with his lover. I take it many of us have found ourselves in similar situations. Since its release it has been covered by numerous artists.

16. “Day Tripper”

If the first 20 seconds of one of John Lennon’s greatest songs doesn’t get your toes tapping, you need to get the wax out of your ears. When this track was released, it went straight to the top of the charts just like nearly every other song the Fab Four were cranking out. To this day, the opening riff is one of the most enduring of all time.

This list could go on and on; there are so many great songs by them. But I’ll spare you and leave this list as a jumping off point for your Beatles listening party.