Snakester's Top 10 Beatles Songs

This is always fun cause it challenges us to shorten up our lists of favorites. I think my list changed a little bit every time I looked at. I wanted to try to be true to my ultimate favorites but then also give a good sampling as to represent what I think the Beatles. So if someone asked me in 10 songs to define the Beatles, I would probably give them this list as well.

10. If I Fell - Hard Days Night: This one is probably forever burned into my brain because of the movie. Either way I think this is the power of their early harmonies. The chorus is just amazing sounding so pure so young. The true definition of a teen love song.

9. You Never Give Me Your Money - Abbey Road: I find as I have gotten older Abbey Road has become my favorite album. This is kind of the start to what was the B side medley of songs to end their career. It is soft and heartening. Paul & John come back together well in the opening. Then it kicks up into this new song that is really what is going on. Trademark Paul organization that would make him alot of money with Band On The Run. The guitar riff though the middle is very inspiring.

8. Taxman - Revolver: This should have proved to everyone that George could write a song. John & him pull together this really biting riff but I love to turn up the bass and listen to Paul pound out this groove like you never hear on a Beatles tune. I was even more shocked later when I read that Paul also did the guitar solo. "And you're working for no one but me!"

7. I Feel Fine - Past Masters Vol 1: This remains one of my top songs from my childhood. The feedback at the beginning still gives me this weird feeling like it is even faster/harder that it really is. George is just the definition on raunchy on this one (insert Paul head wiggle here). So I digress a little to talk about George in how he could lay it down but he didn't solo. He left that to other people. I always believe Sultans of Swing is taking about George Harrison. "Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords, but he's strictly rhythm he doesn't make it cry or sing."

6. I'm Looking Through You - Rubber Soul: This is the ultimate break up song. What happened? Why did you change? "Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight" That is an amazingly insightful lyric. The little pickup in beat through the refrain adds a little edge of rage to the song that always seemed to be lurking under the surface.

5. Dig A Pony - Let It Be: This is a more recent addition to my list as I sort of rediscovered it one day when my mind was very open. The live feel of the roof top I think adds alot to this song, it is more about this exact performance. Ringo's drumming into the chorus pounding and unlike anything you normally got to hear from him. There is a strange joy in John's voice, almost relief. And that little riff into the chorus is tight!

4. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window/Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End - Abbey Road: Sure it is technically 4 songs but really they were all meant to go to together and I would find it impossible to separate them musically. It is heavy on Paul but this seemed more his thing. Just listening to it sounds like a quick medley finale to a concert. Like this is how their end their show. Start out a little rocking, slow it up a little with a tender Golden Slumbers and move into the anthem of Carry That Weight then solo out into The End. I dunno what it is, but this arrangement has always moved me when I listen to it. I will never listen to just one song on shuffle, I either skip the one song or turn shuffle off for a minute so I get the full effect. "And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make"

3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The White Album: I truly believe this song would have been just as great if not better if one of the Beatles played the main guitar inside of Eric Clapton, it might have just lost some of the extra drama. It is very eerie sounding and really represents kind of the dark feeling of the White Album.

2. Eight Days A Week - Beatles For Sale: I will always love this song, it is by far their best from the early days. The fade in is very unique and the claps are a must. This one gets stuck in your head cause it is so infectious. The lyrics are clever and a good example of their teen pop songs needing an extra day in the week to give you all their love. The harmonies are A+ and the song is so well put together you can't find anything that could be done better.

1. And Your Bird Can Sing - Revolver: I don't know if alot of people know this song, it is certainly not one of their mainstream hits but most fans will recall it. I once saw it described as the ultimate power pop song. I can't say it much better. The song moves with force that it feels like the fastest 2 minutes of your life. Yet so much happens musically in the song. The guitar riff is amazing with just enough fuzz to make it feel edgy even today. The song represents that feeling towards people that think they are so much better than everyone else and know everything but you know their life is empty. This is the Beatles' sound at the height of their career musically.

Honorable Mention:
Happiness Is A Warm Gun; Paperback Writer; Your Mother Should Know; Oh Darling; You Won't See Me