The Beatles are one of the most popular bands in music history. Their hits are so pervasive that it seems like anyone born post-1970 was ushered into the world knowing the high points of their catalog intimately. It would be a hard task to go your whole life without hearing the songs on the list below.
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We compiled a list of the most popular songs from one of the most popular bands on earth. The result? Ten deeply influential and beloved tunes that have more than stood the test of time. Revisit the Beatles biggest hits, below.
10. “Something”
George Harrison finally secured a Beatles A-side with the release of “Something.” The guitar line is oh-so Harrison and his honeyed vocals float ever so gently out of the speaker. It’s one of the Beatles’ most captivating offerings.
Though the guitarist was often overshadowed by the writing partnership of Lennon and McCartney, Harrison proved his worth as a songwriter within the band with “Something.”
9. “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
“I Want To Hold Your Hand” secured the Beatles their first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Though they had been steadily rising in the rock ranks back home in England, “I Want To Hold Your Hand” got America talking, ushering in the “British Invasion.”
Though the group made far weightier songs later on in their career, “I Want To Hold Your Hand” holds a special sense of nostalgia. That tinge has kept it around as a fan-favorite of the group despite being a little juvenile in light of their more experimental turns.
8. “Hey Jude”
Paul McCartney created one of the most enduring anthems in rock history with “Hey Jude.” The piano-led ballad has been a message of hope and resilience for listeners to lean on for decades. Though the lyrics are relatively simple, they carry a heavy emotional toll.
McCartney wrote this track for bandmate John Lennon’s son, Julian. While the lyrics take a sad song and make it better were written as an assuage to the younger Lennon, they are endlessly applicable to any and all troubles that life brings – which is likely why it has become such a popular track in the Beatles’ discography.
7. “In My Life”
The Beatles got introspective on “In My Life.” The lyrics see the band look back at their lives with a discerning point of view, tallying up their positives and their negatives. In true flower-power spirit, the positives come out on top. Listening to “In My Life” puts our own lives into perspective and we all need a sobering reminder every once in a while.
6. “Blackbird”
Though “Revolution” is probably the Beatles’ most overt protest tune, “Blackbird” is equally as politically charged – and arguably more affecting. McCartney wrote the track as a response to The Little Rock Nine, the brave Black students that stood in the face of racism by attending a formerly all-white school.
McCartney lets his lyrics take center stage with just a simple – yet iconic – guitar riff backing them up. It’s one of many pieces of evidence of how little production the Beatles needed to create a timeless song.
5. “Twist and Shout”
The Beatles’ version of “Twist and Shout” comes out of the speakers like a burst of pure energy. It bottles up that unshakable urge to bust a move that we all get from time to time. The release of this song marked an early success for the Beatles, priming them for the unprecedented heights of fame they would soon reach.
Though the Beatles weren’t the first to record “Twist and Shout,” their rendition of the tune remains one of, if not the, signature version.
4. “Yesterday”
This track feels as relevant and affecting today as it did in the mid-’60s. It’s the forlorn anthem for anyone who wishes they could turn back time and fix their mistakes. Of course, we can’t do that, but this song at least offers the reassurance that none of us are alone in that feeling.
3. “Let It Be”
Like “Hey Jude,” McCartney offers a hand to hold amidst hard times with “Let It Be.” McCartney once again chooses to flesh out this emotionally-driven track on the piano, flexing his skill behind the ivories.
McCartney’s writing contributions to the Beatles offer a good amount of variety – from psychedelia to experimental diatribes. But, it seems to be the simplest tracks from Macca that remain the most popular.
2. “Come Together”
“Come Together” is a testament to the unique creative minds within the Beatles. It’s hard to think of a parallel for this song because it is so singular in its production.
The bass line in the track has a hypnotic quality. It draws the listener in and keeps them enticed for 4 minutes. Despite the lyrics being largely mumbo jumbo, listeners have connected with the musicality of “Come Together.” They have connected with it to the point where it still remains one of their biggest hits decades after their breakup.
1. “Here Comes the Sun”
“Here Comes the Sun” sounds like summer incarnate. When listening to this song, vignettes of a sunny California day immediately flash into your mind. No one has bottled up that feeling better than George Harrison did on this song.
“Here Comes the Sun” is an easy listen. It’s buoyant, carefree, and the perfect addition to any summertime playlist – which is why it has stood the test of time. Every year, when the weather warms, there is use for this Beatles track.
Photo by John Pratt/Keystone/Getty Images
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