Across the over 200 songs The Beatles released between 1961-1970, these are my top five favourites.
As I noted in my top five favourite Beatles albums article, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I definitely take that back because choosing my favourite songs was even more of a challenge.
I’ve already given the history of The Beatles on multiple occasions, so I’ll dive right into what you all came here for. Most of the songs on this list aren’t “deep cuts” because you really can’t have any when your favourite band is literally the most well-known one on the planet. Anyway, here it is. Across the over 200 songs The Beatles released between 1961-1970, these are my top five favourites.
5. “Lovely Rita”
I also mentioned this during my last Beatles article, but oddly enough, “Lovely Rita” was the song that got me into The Beatles music. I took a popular culture class in university, and we talked about the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album one day. That evening, I went back to my room, listened to the entire album and heard “Lovely Rita” for the first time.
It was such a fun song that was literally about a “metre maid,” and that night, for some reason, it was the greatest thing I’d ever heard before. I had to listen to the song for the rest of the night. I was absolutely enamoured with this band and wanted to know more. And that I did!
4. “Mother Nature’s Son”
When I first downloaded The Beatles, also known as The White Album, I thought it only had one side. For the longest time, I was listening to this double album as if it was the length of a regular LP. You can probably guess how surprised I was when I discovered songs like “Sexy Sadie,” “Helter Skelter,” “Cry Baby Cry,” and of course, “Mother Nature’s Son” on the second half of the album.
I love how easy this song is to listen to and that you can tell it was one of the works of art carefully crafted during The Beatles’ trip to India in 1968. It might not be as flashy as the other songs on The Beatles, but I think it’s just Paul McCartney’s first step to the masterclass we got on Ram with “Heart of the Country.”
3. “Here Comes The Sun”
Yes, this is the only song on this extremely short list that isn’t a McCartney song, but what can I say? It’s no wonder why Paul is my favourite! Regardless, this song is a classic through and through. I have a theme of adoring the softer songs from albums, which is different from the tunes Harrison is usually known for.
“Here Comes the Sun” is a simple song with simple lyrics about winter melting away to welcome the spring sunshine. There’s nothing revolutionary about it, but it’s still one of the sweetest songs that is so recognizable as soon as you hear the first note on Abbey Road.
2. “Penny Lane”
It was so hard to choose between “Penny Lane” and my number one favourite song. “Penny Lane” is fun, upbeat and always puts a smile on my face when I hear it. I can’t help but sing along at the top of my lungs. It’s such a Paul song, filled with lots of horns, witty lines and is an absolute production.
I still wish we could’ve gotten the concept album of songs that reminded The Beatles of their childhood, but I guess we’ll just have to hold “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” even closer to our hearts.
1. “Here, There And Everywhere”
“Here, There And Everywhere” is what I imagine falling in love is like. You’re enthralled with every little thing a person does, and you want them with you every moment of the day. It’s sweet, comforting, and my favourite Beatles song. Funnily enough, “Here, There And Everywhere” is actually on my top ten favourite songs of all time list as well.
Revolver is such a cool album, and to have this stunning number shine beside tracks like “Eleanor Rigby,” “Tomorrow Never Knows,” and “Taxman” only add to its epic-ness. Speaking of, I think I’ll go listen to Revolver now.
Honourable Mentions: “She’s Leaving Home,” “Happiness is a Warm Gun,” “I’m Only Sleeping,” “Good Day Sunshine,” “Oh! Darling,” “If I Fell,” “Yesterday,” “I’m Looking Through You,” “In My Life,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “A Day in the Life”
