Top 10: The Beatles - Still Chart Topping

I think I will speak for many of you out there when I say that although I was not alive during the heyday of the Fab Four, The Beatles played an integral part in my childhood experience of music and my continued love of the medium to this day.

With The Beatles discography’s belated arrival on iTunes, we at the Yorker have taken the opportunity to pay homage to the seminal band of modern music. Though delighted to have been given this opportunity, the unenviable task of trimming down one of the most complete and accomplished catalogues of music into a ten song playlist has, I will admit, been keeping me up at night. Obviously this is a completely subjective selection so disagreements are both expected and welcome, but I hope that fellow Beatles fans will appreciate the playlist and that those less aware of this extraordinary band will take something from my recommendations, if only as a starting point in a love affair with the Liverpool quartet.

Top Ten Beatles Tracks (in chronological album order):

- Twist And Shout (Please, Please Me): Whilst being one of the few songs not written by the band members themselves this song embodies the rock 'n' roll core that started Beatlemania.

- Eight Days A Week (Beatles For Sale): Sentimental whilst avoiding saccharine, this catchy love song came from an early Beatles period that bought us other classics such as ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Love Me Do’ and many other short, sweet musings on love.

- Ticket to Ride (Help!): With a slight move away from their boy-next-door image, this song adds a cynical and sexual edge to an ever evolving Beatles sound. Still retaining an infectious chorus this is a sure fire favourite in my mind.

- In My Life (Rubber Soul): Reflective, beautiful and honest. An epic song that really kick-started the more sophisticated songwriting under John Lennon and signalled what was to come from The Beatles.

- Eleanor Rigby (Revolver): This is a flawless narrative that tells an unflinchingly sad story in a beautifully melodic fashion with haunting vocals from Paul McCartney.

- Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band): Infused with a real essence of psychedelia, this mesmerising ballad is considered one of the most imaginative and beautifully crafted songs in music history.

- I Am The Walrus (Magical Mystery Tour): A cacophony of bizarre sounds and words that just works and is simply out of this world. This song cemented John Lennon’s place as one of the most innovative and evocative vocalists of all time.

- While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The White Album): Sorrowful and tragic this song combines wailing guitars with truly heartfelt vocals from an often underused George Harrison. A great song that has gone on to inspire a series of compilation albums.

- Come Together (Abbey Road): Simply a fantastic song on every level. Lyrically mesmeric, a bassline cooler than Miles Davis and probably my favourite Beatles song of all time.

- Let It Be (Let It Be): How better to end this playlist? Not my favourite song but one that signalled the end of The Beatles combined recording career and a great example of one of the sincere sing-a-longs (‘Hey Jude’, ‘Long And Winding Road’ and ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’) that many remember the Beatles for the best.

Though there were many fantastic songs that narrowly missed out (a special mention to ‘Blackbird’, ‘Here Comes The Sun’ and ‘Drive My Car’) this ends my top ten Beatles tracks ever. I hope that that you take from this article a little taste of my love for a brilliant band and that you continue or start to enjoy them whether it be on iTunes or any other form.

For anyone with a real interest in music The Beatles are an unmissable addition to your collection. Not only are they one of the most inspirational, innovative and instrumental bands in music history, but they simply write and play fantastic and varied music both lyrically and from a production level.

Trailblazers that should never be forgotten, long live the Beatles...

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