Can’t Buy Me Love – 2 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Days Night, 1964 “Can’t Buy Me Love” was one of the Beatles’ all-time biggest hits, reaching number one all over the world. Notably, it was at the top of the Billboard 100 Chart the week that the Beatles held all the top five spots,…
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Wheel of Fortune (Harrison) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 By the time the Beatles recorded their self-titled album in 1968, George Harrison’s spiritual studies were starting to bear serious fruit in terms of his songwriting. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was George’s greatest composition up to that point…
Another Girl – 2 of Wands (Lennon/McCartney) Help!, 1965 “Another Girl” was written by Paul while on vacation in Tunisia and appears in a scene of the movie Help! that was filmed in the Bahamas. The song is notable for its driving up-tempo rhythm and its country-flavored guitar fills, which are played by McCartney. Although…
Magical Mystery Tour – The Fool (Lennon/McCartney) Magical Mystery Tour, 1967 Before Sgt. Pepper had even been released, the Beatles began work on their next project in the spring of 1967. Inspired by the free-spirited and LSD-fueled antics of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, Paul introduced his bandmates to the concept of leading a…
This Boy – Knight of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) Released as a single, 1963 Available on Past Masters “This Boy” is a beautiful showcase of the Beatles’ ability to sing in close 3-part harmony, with John providing the low part, George the middle, and Paul the high notes. It was recorded the same day as their smash…
Revolution 9 – The Tower (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 It is the strangest song the Beatles ever released. And it’s probably the weirdest recording that ever appeared on an album for a mainstream audience. Often ranking at the very bottom of fans’ favorite Beatles songs lists, “Revolution 9” is, in its own way,…
If I Fell – The Lovers (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Day’s Night, 1964 “If I Fell” is one of the Beatles’ all-time greatest ballads, featuring intricate harmonies and emotionally wrought lyrics. The song appears in the film A Hard Day’s Night and the band included it in their live act during their tours in 1964. John…
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds – The Star (Lennon/McCartney) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967 When 3-year-old Julian Lennon eagerly showed his father a picture he drew in preschool, John found it deeply beautiful and inspiring. He asked him what he called it, and Julian replied, “That’s Lucy in the sky with diamonds.”…
Things We Said Today –2 of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) A Hard Day’s Night, 1964 Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship? If so, do you remember how you felt during the agonizing days when you were together but about to be separated once again? Did you worry that the distance would tear the two of…
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill – Knight of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” is a silly sing-along appearing on Side 1 of the White Album. The song was written by John while the four Beatles were on retreat in Rishikesh, India, with the Maharishi. Among the…