So a blog called JamsBio ranked all 185 of the Beatles songs, and compiled relatively lengthy essays (by Internet standards) for each track. I’m not one to vigorously debate or criticize such lists, because, you know, who cares? That there is an innate subjectivity in this kind of thing goes without saying. I am, however grateful that someone went through the trouble. Talk about losing an afternoon. I will lose several perusing this list and listening again to my own less-than-complete Beatles collection.
I had two immediate reactions when I first clicked.
First, “There are only 185 songs?” Truthfully, I’d had this reaction once before when I read about how Norwegian radio station Nrk.no would be making the all 212 recorded Beatles songs available in a series of podcasts that originally aired in 2001. Their idea was similar to the JamsBio list. In each broadcast they played one of the Beatles songs with accompanying commentary. The discrepancy in the number of songs is perhaps explained because the 185 list includes only those songs composed by members of the Beatles. Other Internet lists include an even greater number (e.g., this one that counts 276, and the one on Wikipedia numbering nearly 300 songs) .
Whatever the actual number, it seems too small a measurement to quantify the band’s contribution to our civilization. It’s like learning that Shakespeare only wrote 36 plays or 154 sonnets. Except, well, with the Beatles, authorship is a much less contentious issue.
My second reaction was to immediately find my two favorite tracks:
Again, it doesn’t bother me that my favorite songs ranked so low on this particular list. Neither are among the most traditionally cited faves, and even I can’t explain why I place them above other songs I dearly love (e.g., 25. “Ticket To Ride”, 57. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, or 78. “Oh! Darling”). Except to say that I have intensely personal memories of both songs that are frankly kind of meaningless.
“From Me to You” is my favorite of the early Beatles tracks, mostly because they played it at the Hard Rock Cafe all the time when I worked there in ‘97 and ‘98. They actually played a crapload of Beatles songs, and it was my first sustained exposure to the band. It was the first time I had lots of free mental time to think about what I was hearing. I think I’ve said so before, but the music they played at the HRC—when I was covered in sweat and food on the second half of a double—those songs are some of my best-remembered. It was a purely physical job, with a constant backing track and nothing else but the music to occupy my thoughts.
But there’s something extra about “From Me to You.” That moment when John sings, “Just call on me,” is pure sex. I always wanted to sound like that. I think wanting to be a rock singer was really me wishing I was capable of pulling that sound out of my ass, even if I was late coming out of the “woooo” part.
“I’m Only Sleeping” is, to me, one of the Beatles’ most brilliant songs. Much higher, for me, than #80. But I’m not sure I can put it any better than the JamsBio list:
That famous backward guitar is the most distinguishing characteristic of the song, a bit of inspired studio wizardry from George Martin. But check out the other subtle touches that add to the track’s tired feeling, like Paul’s tip-toeing bass and the way the song practically stops on several occasions, as if, persuaded by John’s alluring argument, it dozed off itself.
The whole song sounds like it’s shot in soft-focus, supported only by Paul’s loping, drunk-man-on-stilts bass line. Again, back in the HRC days, I’d play my roommate’s copy of Revolver over and over again on the days I didn’t have to work until 5. Right at noon I’d pop open the first of two Lone Star Tall Boys and listen to the whole record. Usually followed by Elliot Smith’s XO. By the time I got to work, I felt like nothing could disturb me or keep me from having a great night.
Around this same time, I also remember borrowing my friend’s VHS copy of the 8-part Anthology. Before watching it, I had always been more of a ‘Stones guy. And I guess I still am a Stones guy, but before those Beatle-intensive days in 97-98, I really didn’t know what I was missing. 200 or 300 great songs, two of which are my favorites.
Nice. I generally don’t like lists, but combining lists with beatles takes me back to a time when i would’ve cared for a list like this, and it’s hard not to compare and make my own (sort of) list.
I grew up on a lot of beatles, as a child i collected every Capitol record. as a teenager I collected all the Parlaphone ones and other rare releases including some rare Pete Best demos, and a bunch of studio outtakes (this is before all those anthologies).
The first song I memorized the lyrics to was I am the Warlus when I was about 7. I had no idea what it meant, still not sure, but they go together so wll, I’d have to say thats one of my favorite songs, especially after hearing a live version of it in the studio before they added all the G. Martin frosting.
As a kid, a day in the life used to scare me with the strings at the end, always had to take the record off before it ended.
I would consider almost all of side two of Abbey Road one song and it would be very close to the top of my list.
most of my 20s and 30s i spent listening to a lot of Stones. these days i dont really listen to much of either one, but when i do it’s live beatles recordings. which means that songs like Help, Paperback Writer, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Don’t Bother Me would be very high on the list.
enjoyed your choices too. I’m only Sleeping is indeed a great tune, i would’ve put it much higher than 80 too.
The difference between Shakespeare and the Beatles is that with the Bard, at the age of sixteen you don’t suddenly realize you have been mesmerized by the mere flicker of flames reflecting on the cave wall.
That being said, there are only two Beatles songs –Norwegian Wood and You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away
Is the Bard John or Paul?
Good one, definitely not that boy Ringo. Did you read Asterix the Gaul as a child? The village bard, Cacofonix, looks something like George.
Yeah, yeah, I guess I understand Plato reference, but is that just another way of saying, “the Beatles aren’t so great once you realize what’s what?”
If so, I respectfully disagree. If not, perhaps you can clear up my confusion.
That is what I meant. A fellow’s love of the Beatles ought wane on ontogentical parallel with the growth of pubic hair.
I know I gain no ground in this argument, considering your love of Justin Timberlake, but the Beatles were the boy band of their time – not so much contributing to our our civilization but confirming it for our youth.
In the great weave of music spun in that sexth decade of the Organized Death Century where shall I place the Beatles? No where. They are but a mirror. And I remind you that this was going on (and thank you New York Night Train for the reminder)(and btw look at those a little less clueless white girls swoon over this particular boy band).
Disclaimer: I always, always give NAP people lip for writing about overexposed artists.
Mr. LHW, as Alicia Silverstone said, you are a snob and a half. First you’re too good for Newsweek, now this? Inconthievable.
I dunno, mister. I guess I like rock ‘n’ roll, and expect nothing else from it than a flickering reflection of my own base urges.
But I listen to a lot of rock ‘n’ roll, much of it considerably more obscure than the Beatles and much of it acceptable to others who know things better than I. But very little of what I’ve heard is better than the Beatles. Or even as good.
Also, if a teen girl or frat boy likes what I like, I don’t automatically assume I’m wrong about it.
In the case of both Justin Timberlake and the Beatles, I continue to have faith that I know what music is and what it’s for, and whether it’s hit the intended target. If other people know this, even if millions of others know it, I won’t get too upset about it.
Carlos Anaconda, benign being that he is, once said Wednesday was a snob and half when he probably should have said he was an ass and a half.
Mrshl – F the Beatles, but don’t take it personally. I sing “I Want to Hold your Hand” all the time to Clara. Btw since these guys fulfill your base urges you might like this. Mind you its Beyonce’s hips that fulfill mine.
I’m with you Marshall. The Beatles defined the basis of my music life. I don’t care much for the pre 64 stuff, but I am still moved by much of their later work. The White Album is still one of my favorite albums, period. I get the boy band deal, but I also have heard Don’t Bring Me Down, so fuck that tired critique. Project Grimm always loved covering I Want You (She’s So Heavy), and we did so without a hint of irony (probably why no one liked us).
Not that it matters, but I basically go dead when the Beatles are mentioned at all. I’m not saying I don’t respect them, I am just saying- let me off at the next stop. Same with Bob Dylan… actually more so with him.
I still like your posts.
John, didn’t we used to do a horrible version of I Want You in drynod when we were in it together? I have some vague memory of something like that.
And speaking of memory, gee, Mr.LHW, you remember that? Did it hurt you that much?
Roberto – Heck no, I baited Carlos didn’t I? As I recall I wrote a bitter commentary involving the lack of post substance (and it was Carlos’ guest’s post), which tumbled into an accusation that said poster wasn’t real or at least was only barfing up HIStory without any overall site involvement, after which I accused everybody on the site of having the personality of mites.
Now despite being bored silly by the Beatles in my current body, I would also have to say the Beatles formed a mutant basis for my musical creativity (Beatles marketing was never better than when we was youngun’s – does anyone recall the All Beatles radio station in Houston, KBTL I think?)
When we were young (Wednesday and I) we loved the confirmation the Beatles provided. Their music was catchy. They were cute and cool and later hairy and above all white. But the real confirmation was that they dominated the pop market so clearly. Me need this then, clear picture, lovely.
It then became difficult to write tune not sound like Beatles. This not because Beatles invent sound though. This because we like Beatles because Beatles like us.
It didn’t take the Beatles long to hate the Beatles.
LHW sometimes sound like Tarzan, sometimes not.
LHW, you’re seriously trying to say that the Beatles weren’t that great??? Is this a flamebait thing to get us to post a lot of comments like the old days? Or perhaps a matter of rejecting whiteness and fetishizing the other? I suppose it is possible to not like the Beatles, I’m just not sure how.
LostHisWay man, please listen, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Hehe Conor I could sing you that song in its entirety though I cannot remember the last time I heard it. And that’s partly my eternal point on these recorded pop gems – they go on and on, the same version, the same everything and they clearly are not so great as that –that a 40 year old man such as myself should still be subjected to them.
I am absolutely certain that had I been of college age in 1964 I would have been as interested in the Beatles as I was in the Beastie Boys when they came out. Oh wait that’s not right, I was into the Beastie Boys. Dammit shot myself in the foot there.
I’d turn the fetish around. Sites like “Stuff White People Like” are not long for this world. White as an analogy for affluent, boring and stiff.
What am I trying to be PC? Truth is I probably would have liked the Beatles because truth be told I would have been naive.
I did have a bet with myself that no person on this site (all you white-ish folks in your mid 30′s to early 40′s) would not spend a whole lot of time defending the Beatles. The act of writing a pop song must be defended from them.
If we did, Roberto, I’ve completely forgotten about it. No surprise there as I’ve probably forgotten a great deal from that era.
Cosmic retribution – this is what Tricia is streaming for our viewing pleasure tonight.
It might have been during the Ramon period, my memory is foggy at best also. I do remember it was barely recognizable.
LHW, I pity you for having to watch that piece of crap.
personally, never liked the Beatles, but did really like those two songs Cramer mentioned, I Want You and Don’t Let Me Down. Weird that they were kind of on the outskirts of appeal, which then appealed to me. And apparently to Cramer, and I’m sure others.
Two things:
1) “The act of writing a pop song must be defended from them.” I think I agree with that.
2) I never saw Across the Universe. But I avoided it because it seemed like a wretched idea.