The Beatles are undoubtedly one of the most influential bands in music history. Their career spanning just over a decade resulted in timeless songs that defined generations and continues to shape popular music today. Here is a look at the top 20 greatest Beatles songs that exemplify their unmatched creativity and musicianship.
Top 20 Beatles Songs Of All Time
Before going into details of each song separately, we have compiled a list of all the top 20 Beatles Songs in the following table. You can jump to any song details by clicking its name from the following table.
| Sr. No. | Song Name | Release Year |
| 1 | 1965 | |
| 2 | 1967 | |
| 3 | 1969 | |
| 4 | 1964 | |
| 5 | 1965 | |
| 6 | 1969 | |
| 7 | 1967 | |
| 8 | 1966 | |
| 9 | 1965 | |
| 10 | 1967 | |
| 11 | 1964 | |
| 12 | 1968 | |
| 13 | 1969 | |
| 14 | 1968 | |
| 15 | 1970 | |
| 16 | 1966 | |
| 17 | 1967 | |
| 18 | 1968 | |
| 19 | 1966 | |
| 20 | 1964 |
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1 - In My Life (1965)
- Album: Rubber Soul
- Release Date: 3 December 1965
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: John Lennon
- To Watch: Click Here
In My Life is a reflective ballad that lyrically captures nostalgic reminiscences of Lennon's early life in Liverpool. It is ranked among Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In My Life's gentle melody and evocative lyrics make it one of the most poignant Beatles compositions. The minimal instrumentation centered around Lennon rhythm guitar allows his poetic lyrics lamenting the loss of past memories to shine through.
He pioneered the songwriting technique of including place names from his upbringing in the lyrics to capture specific vignettes. The emotional lead vocal delivery paired with the nostalgic slow tempo rhythm create a contemplative mood that deeply resonates with listeners. In My Life universality in evoking nostalgia alongside its creative musical approach accounts for its enduring appeal.
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2 - Penny Lane (1967)
- Album: Magical Mystery Tour
- Release Date: February 1967
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Penny Lane pays a nostalgic tribute to Liverpool combining colorful imagery and a catchy trumpet refrain. The song encapsulates the charm of everyday life through its lively rhythm and rich detail. Penny Lane became an international hit upon its release further establishing the Beatles' knack for crafting relatable lyrics with sophisticated pop music. The lyrics reference actual locations in Liverpool that held childhood significance for McCartney and Lennon as a nostalgic commemoration of their upbringing.
The inventive production techniques like the piano solo played through a speaker and the trumpet flourishes augment the song's playful, dreamlike mood. Penny Lane showcases the Beatles' mastery of fusing thoughtful expressive lyrics with innovative musical arrangements that became their signature. The combination of a familiar setting with their musical creativity heightens its crossover pop appeal.
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3 - Something (1969)
- Album: Abbey Road
- Release Date: October 1969
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: George Harrison
- Songwriter: George Harrison
- To Watch: Click Here
Something is considered among the finest love songs ever composed and covered by over 150 artists. Its gentle guitar melody and earnest lyrics praising love ineffable qualities showcase Harrison songwriting mastery. Frank Sinatra declared it the greatest love song of the past 50 years. The sentimental lyrics marveling at love mysteries are delivered with heartfelt emotion in Harrison's vocal performance. Backup harmonies from John Lennon and Paul McCartney augment the romanticism and sweeping musicality.
The nuanced volume swells and guitar build-ups elevate the simple poignant lyrics into a transcendent sonic experience. Something broke new ground for being the first Beatles song with only one member writing credit. It affirmed Harrison's artistic voice within the band beyond his role as lead guitarist. The universal charm of Something lyrics combined with its orchestral musical arrangement explain its widespread appeal.
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4 - She Loves You (1964)
- Album: The Beatles' Second Album
- Release Date: August 1963
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
With its trademark yeah, yeah, yeah chorus, She Loves You became the Beatles' best-selling single in the UK. Its raw energy embodied early Beatlemania while the song crafted narrative structure was ahead of its time. She Loves You marks a major turning point in the Beatles career on their rise to stardom. The upbeat drums and electric guitar riffs infuse a thrilling excitement fitting for a young love anthem at the height of Beatlemania.
The chorus direct address to a hypothetical third friend makes the lovelorn scenario broadly relatable. It led to communal fan chanting of yeah, yeah, yeah that became a Beatles signature. The clever use of third person perspective and witty lines like pride can hurt you too, demonstrating the Beatles increasing songwriting maturity. The pop chops of She Loves You combined with its innovative narrative approach cemented the Beatles early fame.
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5 - Yesterday (1965)
- Album: Help!
- Release Date: September 1965
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
It is arguably the Beatles' most covered song. Yesterday's melancholic lyrics and McCartney vocals accompanied by a string quartet create an unforgettable ballad. Yesterday reflects the Beatles' versatility through its classical instrumentation and emotional lyrics on love disappointments. The iconic melody came to him in a dream as per McCartney. The haunting lyrics describing a breakup delivered in McCartney tender vocal performance feel deeply personal and vulnerable.
Yesterday marked a substantial departure as the first Beatles track to showcase a solo vocalist with no other band members harmonies. The stripped down classical instrumentation builds an intimate melancholy mood that amplifies the lovelorn lyrics. Yesterday is a novel pairing of evocative lyricism with classical arrangements in a pop song that pioneered a sound that deeply influenced generations of artists.
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6 - Come Together (1969)
- Album: Abbey Road
- Release Date: October 1969
- Genre: Blues rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon
- Songwriter: John Lennon
- To Watch: Click Here
Come Together was conceived as a rallying cry for political activist Timothy Leary campaign. Come Together retains its funky bluesy edge while it evolves into surreal lyrical playfulness. The song showcases the Beatles creative boundary-pushing blending of rock, blues and pop. Rolling Stone ranks it among the 500 greatest songs. The hard-driving blues guitar riff drives the song's hypnotic rhythm.
Lennon's cryptic ad-libbed vocals convey an atmospheric mystique complimented by ambient sound effects. The encroaching build-ups leading to the choruses heighten the hallucinatory mood. Come Together exemplifies the Beatles ability to fuse genres by infusing poetic lyricism into an experimental blues rock framework. The haunting soundscapes coupled with clever wordplay encapsulate the psychedelic era creative energy.
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7 - A Day in the Life (1967)
- Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
- Release Date: June 1967
- Genre: Art rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
A Day in the Life offers a glimpse of John Lennon avant-garde influences through its abstract lyrics and experimental composition. The song brilliantly fuses two unfinished songs into an innovative studio production from its orchestral crescendos to the haunting final piano note. A Day in the Life underscores the Beatles pivotal role in pioneering art rock. The disjointed arrangements, poignant social commentary and surreal sound effects showcase a new musical ambition.
Lennon detached vocals paired with poetic lyrics on REAL world tragedies achieves an astonishing poignancy. McCartney's whimsical middle eighth based on household morning routines provides an ironic juxtaposition. The cacophonous grand finale symbolizing the chaotic modern world is a radical sonic experiment. A Day in the Life remains a genre-defining masterpiece in pop music.
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8 - Tomorrow Never Knows (1966)
- Album: Revolver
- Release Date: August 1966
- Genre: Psychedelic rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon
- Songwriter: John Lennon
- To Watch: Click Here
The seminal Tomorrow Never Knows introduced the Beatles psychedelic era with its droning textures, Indian instrumentation and hypnotic drumming. It is inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Lennon's mystical lyrics and the track's swirling tape-loop effects make Tomorrow Never Knows visionary and ahead of its time. It paved the way for countless psychedelic rock songs. The droning tones, experimental loops and distortion techniques create an utterly transportive sonic experience.
Lennon's recurring vocal chant adapts the Tibetan Book of the Dead into a psychedelic anthem. The abstract lyrics dissolve all sense of time and place. Tomorrow Never Knows opened boundless creative possibilities through avant-garde production. Its bold innovations influenced psychedelic culture and the evolution of electronic music.
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9 - Nowhere Man (1965)
- Album: Rubber Soul
- Release Date: December 1965
- Genre: Folk rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: John Lennon
- To Watch: Click Here
Nowhere Man is one of the first pop songs to introspectively explore existential themes. Lennon's self-critical lyrics touch on feelings of isolation and disillusionment while sonically experimenting with a Mellotron keyboard. Nowhere Man's plaintive vulnerability and innovative production make it a definitive folk rock statement. Lennon's thoughtful lyrics convey feelings of self-doubt and disconnection that were groundbreaking in a pop song.
His melancholic vocal delivery paired with the Mellotron eerie timbre creates an atmospheric backdrop. Nowhere Man reveals Lennon emerging introspective songwriting beyond love songs which profoundly influenced the singer-songwriter tradition. Its combination of confessional poetic lyrics with folk rock experimentation elevated pop artistic scope.
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10 - All You Need Is Love (1967)
- Album: Magical Mystery Tour
- Release Date: July 1967
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon
- Songwriter: John Lennon
- To Watch: Click Here
All You Need is Love encapsulates the Summer of Love ethos through simple lyrics affirming love's power. Its anthemic quality along with a mix of musical styles like pop, rock and reggae turned it into an international hit. The song's message resonated with counterculture audiences during the anti-war movement. The direct lyricism and sentimental comradery of All You Need Is Love served as an anthem of 1960s optimism.
Lennon's simple professions of inclusiveness and love symbolized generational hope. The song fuses a rock rhythm, brass fanfare and operatic snippets into an unconventional composition. All You Need Is Love combined a profound lyricism with an experimental musical mosaic that immortalized the Summer of Love. Its sincere emotional directness made it a lasting testament to 1960s idealism.
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11 - I Want to Hold Your Hand (1964)
- Album: Meet the Beatles!
- Release Date: December 1963
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
I Want to Hold Your Hand launched Beatlemania in the US with its handclaps and pop melodies. The hit single sold over a million copies in just ten days. I Want to Hold Your Hand demonstrates the Beatles ear for crafting commercially appealing pop rock that appealed to mainstream audiences. The song's universal lyrics of young love added to its remarkable success.
The innocent romantic sentiments of hand-holding expressed through an upbeat tempo and youthful energy struck a chord with young listeners. Lennon and McCartney call and response vocals and lyrics emphasizing desire created an intimate feel. Its polished pop sound made the Beatles accessible to US audiences launching their stateside fame. The exuberance of I Want to Hold Your Hand crossed cultural boundaries uniting fans worldwide.
12 - Happiness Is a Warm Gun (1968)
- Album: The Beatles
- Release Date: November 1968
- Genre: Hard rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon
- Songwriter: John Lennon
- To Watch: Click Here
Happiness Is a Warm Gun offers a glimpse into Lennon artistic evolution with its progressive rock elements and provocative lyrics alluding to drug use and sexuality. The song multiple sections including doo-wop, blues and heavy metal exemplify the Beatles sonic experimentation. Rolling Stone magazine lauds it as the Beatles greatest combination of lyrics and music. The complex composition fuses varying rhythms, textures and genre styles into a singular avant-garde collage.
Lennon's ironic lyrics on pursuing euphoria through drugs and sex were controversial for a pop song. His raw shrieking vocals channel visceral emotion. Happiness Is a Warm Gun showcases the Beatles musical innovation through its eclectic parts unified as a psychedelic whole. The unconventional structure expands pop parameters.
13 - Here Comes the Sun (1969)
- Album: Abbey Road
- Release Date: September 1969
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: George Harrison
- Songwriter: George Harrison
- To Watch: Click Here
Here Comes the Sun conveys a feeling of optimism through its uplifting melody and lyrics. Harrison wrote it in Eric Clapton garden as respite from business disagreements capturing a sentiment many found relatable. Its fingerpicked guitar and unhurried rhythms evoke the warmth of a sunny day making Here Comes the Sun a fan favorite. The glistening guitar arpeggios instantly create a bright mood while the tempo gradually builds kinetic energy.
Harrison soaring lead vocals deliver inspirational lyrics celebrating relief from hard times with genuine emotion. The orchestral textures layered behind Harrison guitar proclaim a cathartic joy. Here Comes the Sun combination of an exhilarating melody, meaningful lyrics and rich instrumentation explain its enduring appeal as a pick-me-up anthem.
14 - Helter Skelter (1968)
- Album: The Beatles
- Release Date: November 1968
- Genre: Hard rock
- Lyrics: Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Helter Skelter showcases the Beatles' harder rock experimentation and is regarded as a progenitor of heavy metal. McCartney's raucous vocals and the band's distortion-drenched sound mark a departure from their early pop material. Helter Skelter reveals the Beatles as sonic innovators across genres while maintaining their pop sensibilities. The grinding guitars amped up bass and crashing drums build a raw cacophony echoing 1960s social turmoil.
McCartney's screamed vocal delivery conveys visceral intensity. The proto-metal arrangement remains impactful while pop melodicism prevents it from fully abandoning musicality. Helter Skelter demonstrated the Beatles masterful command of hard rock with its bold exercise in loud, rough textures. It pioneered a more aggressive direction in their sound.
15 - Let It Be (1970)
- Album: Let It Be
- Release Date: March 1970
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Let It Be's emotional lyrics stemmed from tensions within the band during the Get Back sessions. It became a beloved anthem about perseverance and hope. McCartney gentle piano balladry combined with inspiring lyrics like there will be an answer, let it be make it one of the Beatles most recognizable songs. The piano-led ballad conveys a pensive melancholy yet its swelling orchestration provides cathartic release.
McCartney world-weary yet reassuring vocals deliver inspirational lyrics promoting perseverance through hardship. The stripped down arrangement allows the poignant message to resonate. Let It Be universal themes of hope touched millions becoming a cultural phenomenon that epitomized the Beatles positivity. Its inspirational power cemented its legacy as a classic.
16 - Day Tripper (1966)
- Album: Yesterday and Today
- Release Date: December 1965
- Genre: Rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Day Tripper is a blues-infused rocker typically focused on drug culture featuring one of rock's most famous guitar riffs. Its catchy wordplay and the band's energetic performance make it a staple that still captivates audiences. Day Tripper demonstrates the Beatles masterful songcraft. The instantly recognizable guitar lick grabs attention while McCartney and Lennon joint vocals drive the rhythmic momentum.
The lyricism playfully suggests psychedelic imagery with quintessentially British wit. The tight musicianship makes it musically compelling. Day Tripper revealed the Beatles knack for infusing counterculture subject matter with their infectious pop sensibilities to yield an engaging hybrid.
17 - With a Little Help from My Friends (1967)
- Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
- Release Date: June 1967
- Genre: Rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Ringo Starr lead vocals and charm make With a Little Help from My Friends a delightful ode to friendship. The song gained wider appeal after being covered by Joe Cocker as the theme song for the TV series The Wonder Years. Its sentimental lyrics and pop-rock melodies account for its enduring popularity. The camaraderie of the lyrics is augmented by Starr's affable vocal delivery.
His bandmates provide upbeat accompaniment both instrumentally and as backup singers. The uncomplicated arrangement allows the heartwarming message to shine through. With a Little Help From My Friends showcases Ringo personality while emphasizing the importance of friendship with an accessible appeal.
18 - Hey Jude (1968)
- Album: Hey Jude
- Release Date: August 1968
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Hey Jude epic length and anthemic na na na finale make it one of the Beatles most iconic hits. McCartney wrote it to comfort John Lennon's son Julian during his parents divorce. Hey Jude captures a sentimental warmth that resonated across generations of listeners. The song remains the Beatles top-selling US single. Beginning as an intimate ballad, Hey Jude culminates in the monumental extended sing-along ending.
McCartney's heartfelt lyrics and compassionate vocal performance provide solace and hope. The universal message of perseverance struck a chord with the public. The grandiose piano-led arrangements build to capture an emotive catharsis. Hey Jude combined personal lyricism with epic musicality to create a pop phenomenon that still ignites mass audience participation.
19 - Eleanor Rigby (1966)
- Album: Revolver
- Release Date: August 1966
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Eleanor Rigby broke new ground as a lyrically poignant rock song. Its poetic lyrics about loneliness provide a moving snapshot of people from different walks of life. Eleanor Rigby exemplifies the Beatles creative boundary-pushing by expanding pop music narrative scope. McCartney storytelling lyrics deliver concise yet richly detailed vignettes conveying loneliness and neglect.
His plaintive vocal delivery pairs tragically with the mournful string arrangements. The baroque instrumentation dignifies the working class characters described. Eleanor Rigby demonstrated pop music's potential for poignant social commentary through its sensitive lyrics and refined musicality.
20 - Can't Buy Me Love (1964)
- Album: A Hard Day's Night
- Release Date: March 1964
- Genre: Pop rock
- Lyrics: Paul McCartney
- Songwriter: Paul McCartney
- To Watch: Click Here
Can't Buy Me Love ushered in the Beatles songwriting focus on universal themes beyond romance. Its upbeat tempo matched with a pop chorus made it an instant commercial success. The song bridges their earlier teen pop personas to their innovative studio explorations as per Rolling Stone magazine. The upbeat rhythm driven by McCartney's energetic vocals captures youthful excitement.
The direct proclamation that money can't replace love delivers a sincere message with pop appeal. Can't Buy Me Love showcased the Beatles early command of the captivating rhythm and melodies that became integral to their accessible yet meaningful songwriting. It provided a template for their signature brand of profound lyrics conveyed through catchy songcraft.
Final Verdict
The Beatles immense contribution cannot be overstated as trailblazers who revolutionized pop music. Their innovative songwriting and willingness to experiment expanded the landscape of popular music. The above compilation of the Beatles 20 top songs provides a snapshot of their most creative tracks that both defined and transcended their era.
Each song reveals the band's unique four singular talents fusing into an unprecedented musical synergy from tender ballads to psychedelic masterpieces that continues to inspire generations. They made songwriting and recording studio tools for meaningful artistic expression beyond commercial success. The Beatles timeless music remains a testament to the power of inspired creativity even decades later.
FAQs
Q: When and where did The Beatles form?
The Beatles formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England consisting of members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Q: What is The Beatles' biggest hit of all time?
The Beatles biggest selling single of all time is Hey Jude which spent 9 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968.
Q: What is regarded as the best Beatles song?
Many critics and fans regard A Day in the Life as the Beatles single greatest artistic achievement that showcases their innovative approach to songwriting and studio production.
Q: What was The Beatles' first hit song?
The Beatles first major hit song in both the UK and the US was I Want To Hold Your Hand in late 1963 which sparked Beatlemania.
Q: How many albums did The Beatles release?
The Beatles released 12 original studio albums, 13 EPs and 22 singles over their active career from 1962-1970.
Q: What is the best-selling Beatles album of all time?
The Beatles best-selling studio album is Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It is considered one of rock's most influential albums.
Q: Did The Beatles perform live concerts?
Yes, The Beatles were renowned for their live performances in the early Beatlemania years but gave up touring in 1966 to focus purely on studio recordings.
Q: Are there any unreleased Beatles songs?
Yes, The Beatles recorded many songs that went unreleased. Many of those have emerged on anthology albums over the years. Notable unreleased tracks include Carnival of Light and Now and Then.
Q: What is the best song The Beatles ever wrote?
In My Life is often ranked among critics and fans top choices for the Beatles best song for its poignant melody and evocative lyrics by John Lennon.