Guitar chords and piano notes blend together to create the sounds of the greatest band of all time. If you have not heard of them, The Beatles are a 1960s pop/rock band that captured our grandmothers’ hearts. Their choruses are catchy and their lyrics are poetic. Each song brings out a different emotion, which ties their listeners closer to them.
The English band is composed of four world-famous artists, Paul McCartney, 82, Ringo Starr, 84, George Harrison and John Lennon. The gentlemen met at a young age and each member had a love for music. They quickly formed into a band and began writing songs.
Their first big hit was “Love Me Do” released in 1962. This joyful song reached No. 17 on the United Kingdom music chart and No. 1 in the United States in 1964.
From there, they released 13 albums within the following 10 years.
Here are some of their top hits:
“Yesterday”
“Yesterday” was a soft ballad released in 1965. The lyric, “Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play,” defines the tone and meaning of the song. The guitar picking and violin add to the song’s emotional effect on its listeners. When the vocals and instruments are strung together, this song creates nostalgia for yesterday. The song became so famous that there was a movie with the same name created about it in 2019.
“Blackbird”
The Beatles released “Blackbird” in 1968. Throughout the song, they do a fantastic job comparing lost and broken blackbirds to humans who can “learn to fly.” The melody is one that you will never forget. The song’s simple guitar notes with bird tweets create a vision of blackbirds learning to fly. The lyric “All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise” gives listeners a chance to reflect on special moments in their lives when they “learn[ed] to fly.”
“In My Life”
“In My Life” was released in 1965 and is another nostalgic hit. The song brings back memories of past loved ones and past places. The piano bridge of the song provides an exciting change as the majority of the song is a guitar riff. These two different musical components intertwine wonderfully, creating a well-composed song.
“Come Together”
“Come Together” was released in 1969 as a part of their famous “Abbey Road” album. The rock song emphasizes the bass and drums more and brings in electric guitar elements similar to Elvis Presley’s songs in the 1950s. “Come Together” shows the versatility of The Beatles and their wide range of musical genres.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Another rock song that combines soothing vocals with the electric guitar is “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Unlike most Beatles’ songs, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was written by George Harrison. The name is fitting because the guitar shines in this song. “While my guitar gently weeps” is a metaphor for “while I stay behind.” The Beatles’ use of literary devices in their lyrics causes their listeners to think about the deeper meanings of the songs. In 2004, rock and pop icons Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others performed a magical rendition of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“Eleanor Rigby”
“Eleanor Rigby” is a song that everybody should listen to. The Beatles often use music to question problems in society. In “Eleanor Rigby,” The Beatles question, “All the lonely people/Where do they all come from?” The staccato violin also creates a sense of urgency. Listening to the song is like watching a film where the protagonist has seconds left to achieve their mission. The Beatles brilliantly use real examples of lonely people in the song to relate to their listeners.
“Let It Be”
“Let It Be” is the soulful 1970 No. 1 hit by The Beatles. It was one of their last songs to be released as a four-man band. “Let It Be” is another song that states the world’s problems. Their mantra “let it be” is repeated throughout the song giving a searching soul an answer.
“All You Need Is Love”
“All You Need Is Love” is a simple 1967 anthem. It combines trumpets and a creative slogan to bring people together.
“Strawberry Fields Forever”
John Lennon wrote “Strawberry Fields Forever” about the strawberry fields in Liverpool, according to the American Songwriter. Musically, the song is produced with a synthesizer and uses different samples that create a 1970s hippie vibe. Lennon references the strawberry fields as his safe place bringing listeners to their safe places.
“Hey Jude”
The Beatles released “Hey Jude” in 1968. Listening to this song is like talking to a supportive friend. The Beatles uplift “Jude” and tell him how to talk to a girl. As another cheerful melody, you can’t help but sing along to the song.
“Here Comes The Sun”
One of the band's most famous songs is “Here Comes The Sun.” The classic melody and joyful tone of this song warms your heart. This song is about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The sun will always shine another day.
Bonus:
“Now And Then”
The latest Beatles track, “Now And Then,” was released in November 2023. With new technology, producers were able to amplify John Lennon’s voice through artificial intelligence. Mainly focused on piano, this love song connects listeners to John Lennon decades after his death. Once again, the Beatles released another great track.
Recipe for Success
The Beatles did not just create music. They created a movement and an international fan base. They set the standard for modern pop music. With 20 No. 1 hits, you cannot deny their success. Although they only created music for a decade together, their music has transcended generations. With two Beatles alive, they have 32.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify That’s impressive. Their songs’ meanings vary from simple to complex. They used different instruments to create music across multiple genres. Some may say they founded pop music. However, most importantly, The Beatles are a band that will never be forgotten.