In 1960, something incredible happened, something that completely changed the face of rock and roll. Some would argue that it changed the face of the music and entertainment industries entirely.
Four lads from Liverpool, England met and formed arguably the most well-known band of all time: The Beatles. The band was composed of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. It's been said that Lennon and McCartney were the best songwriting duo of the 20th century. Not only that, but both excelled in their solo careers with hits like "Image" and "Yesterday". Harrison also wrote a couple of the band's most well known songs, including "Here Comes the Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Starr only wrote two original songs during his time as a Beatle, "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden".
Each of The Beatles songs were beautiful, ranging from heartfelt to completely ridiculous (read: drug influenced). Although each song holds a little something special, here, a roundup of the 10 all-time best songs written by The Beatles:
10. "If I Needed Someone" – 1965
These lyrics are so much harsher than the upbeat tune...but I love them for some reason
If I needed someone to love
You're the one that I'd be thinking of
If I needed someone
If I had some more time to spend
Then I guess I'd be with you my friend
If I needed someone
Had you come some other day
Then it might not have been like this
But you see now I'm too much in love
Carve your number on my wall
And maybe you will get a call from me
If I needed someone
Written By: George Harrison
9. "Revolution 9" (because, how could I not?) – 1968
It's just so wonderfully weird...
So the wife called me and we'd better go to see a surgeon
Or whatever to price it� yellow underclothes
So, any road, we went to see the dentist instead
Who gave her a pair of teeth which wasn't any good at all
So I said I'd marry, join the fucking navy and went to sea
In my broken chair, my wings are broken and so is my hair
I'm not in the mood for whirling
Written By: Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Yoko Ono
8. "Eleanor Rigby" – 1966
I love this song because of the story it tells, and because I think it addresses a fear all people have: the fear of being alone and not belonging aware.
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Father McKenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working, darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there
What does he care?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong
Written By: Paul McCartney and John Lennon
7. "All You Need Is Love" – 1967
The lyrics to the song may be simple, but they have such an incredibly powerful message.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy
Nothing you can make that can't be made
No one you can save that can't be saved
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Written By: Paul McCartney and John Lennon
6. "Yesterday" – 1965
Pure poetry. Hats off to you, Sir McCartney!
Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly I'm not half the man I used to be.
There's a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she had to go, I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Written By: Paul McCartney
5. "Octopus's Garden" (you've got to include Ringo's song in this list!) – 1969
Just...what possessed him to write this? Was he just sitting at his drums one day and thought, "You know what would be a great song? One about an octopus...who has a freaking garden...yeah, that'll be a real great one." #drugs
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus's garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus's garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus's garden in the shade
We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus's garden near a cave
Written By: Richard Starkey (AKA Ringo Starr)
4. "Two of Us" – 1970
These lyrics just really speak to me. it reminds me of when I go back home and see all my friends and family. Also, this song was written towards the end of The Beatles time, and even though McCartney says he wrote it for his wife at the time, I personally think that maybe Paul was trying to say something to his bandmates.
Two of us riding nowhere
Spending someone's
Hard earned pay
You and me Sunday driving
Not arriving
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home
Two of us sending postcards
Writing letters
On my wall
You and me burning matches
Lifting latches
On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home
You and I have memories
Longer than the road that stretches out ahead
Written By: Paul McCartney
3. "Blackbird" – 1968
It's just so beautiful, no words.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Written By: Paul McCartney and John Lennon
2. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" – 1968
It's just something that you would never think about, a guitar weeping. It's so powerful and completely tragic.
I look at you all see the love there that's sleepingWhile my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps
I don't know why nobody told you
How to unfold your love
I don't know how someone controlled you
They bought and sold you
I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps
Written By: George Harrison
1. OK! I couldn't pick one, it's a tie...
"Let It Be" – 1970
There's a reason this one is a lot of people's favorite, the words are stunning.
When I find myself in times of troubleMother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And when the broken-hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Written By: Paul McCartney
"The End" – 1969
This song doesn't have many words; just the ones listed below, but The Beatles didn't need to say a lot to say something powerful.
Oh yeah, all right
Are you going to be in my dreams
Tonight? in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love
You make
Written By: Paul McCartney and John Lennon
Did we leave any hits off this list? What's your favorite Beatles jam? Tell us in the comments!
(Photos via buro247.ru)
