Ten Most Underrated Beatles Songs

I couldn't figure out where I wanted to place this and, after cleaning this place up a little, this is probably the best place to put it. I was talking to one of my friends tonight and because of one little lyric, it inspired this whole blog.

Yes, my favourite band is the most popular band in the entire world, and I understand this. And they have made some of the greatest and most popular songs of all time: "Revolution," "Come Together," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "All You Need Is Love," and "Yesterday," just to name a VERY few. But there are so many songs that the Beatles have done that don't get the recognition for how absolutely amazing they are. They'll never be on the radio except on all day Beatles marathons (which only happen once every 100 years on 09/09/09 apparently)

This is where I get to share my personal favourite underrated Beatles songs. Some may have never heard these, where others will agree/disagree. I am always welcoming feedback

So here we go!

1. I'll Follow The Sun [1964- Beatles For Sale (US- Beatles '65)]

I am probably the most bias on this one than all of them. This song is quite possibly my favorite Beatles song EVER, and yet many many people have never heard it. What makes this song so amazingly beautiful is the irony in the song. The beat is very light but the lyrics are so... not. The first line of the song is "One day, you'll look to see I've gone, but tomorrow may rain so I'll follow the sun." It's a paralyzing irony that I instantly fell in love with the first time I heard it.

Music and Lyrics:



2. For No One [1966 Revolver]

Very McCartney-strong, it is one of the greatest songs ever written, in my opinion. It is also a lyrically powerful song, going through a broken hearted man's mind. It's a relateable song, and honestly, I'd probably say a lot of these lyrics to my best friend after a breakup of his. I honestly can't explain why this song is so amazing to me, but considering it has the highest plays on my iTunes, there's definitely something about it.

Music (with lyrics)



3. She's Leaving Home [1967 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band]

For such a groundbreaking album like , a lot of songs are forgotten on this album. This is probably the most forgotten and one of my favorites. This song was actually the song that inspired this whole thing because I have a meeting "friday morning at nine o'clock." It is one of those songs that tells a story-- a modern ballad, per se. I feel like part of this song some can relate to, especially when theyre out on their own for the first time (and haven't had a lot of love and attention). I definitely know a few people that need to hear this song.



4. Rain [1966 B-Side to "Paperback Writer" (later released on Past Masters, Vol 2)]

When I first became a fan, I didn't realize there was a Beatle's song named "Rain." And it perplexed me that a Beatle tribute band would be named this. Most of us have heard "Paperback Writer" and this was the b-side of the single, and honestly, they're pretty much the same song. The reason this song is so important-- the first time the Beatles (and possibly anyone? someone correct me if I'm wrong) used backwards vocals. It was almost an introduction to Revolver with that aspect, for songs like "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "I'm Only Sleeping" used backwards guitar solos.



5. Helter Skelter [1968 The Beatles (aka the White Album)]

Most of the songs I've mentioned previously have not been well-known. And you might be wondering "why the hell is this song on here?" It's popular for all the wrong reasons. I hate that this song's has been tainted by such a terrible event. Damn you Charles Manson! But this song is... amazing. Musically, it is CRAZY. It was written after Pete Townshend (The Who) said the Beatles couldn't rock. Trust me, this song fucking rocks. If any Beatles song will break my speakers it will be this song or "Revolution." It is probably my favorite song to play on Rockband. I still laugh thinking about the Russian guy beside me starting to mosh when Paul performed it in NYC.



6. Tomorrow Never Knows [1966 Revolver]

A canadian reporter said the first line of this song was the motto of psychedelia: "Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream..." I must say I agree with him. More than that, I feel like this song was a preview to where the Beatles (and music in general) were going, especially considering Sgt Pepper was the next album to come out. It was the Sgt. Pepper "trailer," even more so than Strawberry Fields Forever. That, and I think it's GENIUS that the "seagull" sound is Paul laughing sped up and slowed down in different areas. And I have to recommend listening to this remastered.



7. The Night Before [1965 Help!]

This song is one of the songs that just makes me want to get up and dance. Honestly, it has a very strong "surf music" vibe, and I start dancing like I'm at some 1960s beach party everytime I hear it. I turn this song up a lot with the windows rolled down. It definitely would've been successful as a single (and before some of you say "its the Beatles, of course it would be!" A song like "Strawberry Fields Forever" didn't hit #1... what we consider some of the best songs didn't hit #1!)

This is the one song that I'm going to put up an actual VIDEO of it, not a youtube with lyrics. Just because they look so good in it! I still would ask you listen.



8. Things We Said Today [1964 A Hard Days Night (US Something New)]

I actually remember hearing this song on the radio when I was younger, and I honestly didn't think it was the Beatles. Another lyric song, and one of the greats coming from A Hard Days Night.. I'll let you guys figure out why its on here without my explanation.



9. Old Brown Shoe [B-side "The Ballad of John and Yoko", later Past Masters Vol 2]

Yes, it took me THIS long to get to a George song (there are a LOT of underrated songs!) I just absolutely love this song, and it is probably one of those songs that you have to grow to like. I feel that if it would've made one of the actual studio albums, rather than b-sides and compilation albums, it would've been much more popular. It has the same vibe as "Savoy Truffle" to me, but I enjoy it a little more. It also is a little heavier on the guitar.



10. If I Needed Someone [1965 Rubber Soul (US-- Yesterday... and Today!)]

I was actually struggling for a final song to round up the ten and major facepalm on my part. This song is a MAJOR part of why I am a Beatles fan. The first time I heard this song I was actually drawn to tears because I had recently gone through a breakup and the breakup actually made sense after this song. It basically told me "hey, life is all about the timing." It's one of those songs that proves that the Beatles have a song for pretty much EVERYTHING. I'm thrilled it made the Beatles Rockband, but I'm kind of sad none of my friends know it and don't want to play it because of that.




Honorable Mentions:

Oh! Darling (Most people didn't know this was a Beatles song before Across The Universe, unfortunately that includes me, and its sad thats the only way some people know the song still. But I must say, Hanson does a very nice cover of it, but that's just personal preference)
I Me Mine (Let It Be)
Run For Your Life (Rubber Soul)
Hey Bulldog (Yellow Submarine)
You Can't Do That (A Hard Days Night))
She Said She Said (Revolver)
Here There and Everywhere (Revolver. I can't decide if this is "underrated" or not. A lot of people know it, so i kept it off the top 10. That, and I have a heavy bias since I plan on this song being my first dance at my wedding)

This could go on forever and ever, but it's 5 AM and I have to get up in 4 hours.

Hope I just added 10-15 great songs to your iTunes. Feel free to add ones you guys think of as well!