THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200. This update: #55-51. Continues next week.

The 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS of

The Beatles

Together & Apart

Two simultaneous countdowns related to the Fab Four. The group’s 100 most essential songs as well as the 100 best recordings from the members’ solo careers. Priority was given to original compositions, but some cover versions demanded inclusion. Songs are ranked in terms of sales, musical impact, influence and sustained quality.

5 5	PLEASE PLEASE ME John wrote The Beatles' 2nd UK single "Please Please Me". Released in 1963, it soon became the group's biggest hit to date, peaking at #2 in Britain. John was on lead vocal duties. It was the title track from the band's debut album, issued to capitalize on  the single's chart success.
	YOU'RE SIXTEEN Ringo Starr Starr covered the 1960 Johnny Burnette song "You're Sixteen" for his 1973 album 'Ringo'. The following year, the single reached the top of the American chart.
5 4	IF I NEEDED SOMEONE George performs lead vocals on his composition "If I Needed Someone", a track on 'Rubber Soul'. It was included on the 1966 North American LP 'Yesterday And Today'. The Hollies charted with a remake of the song in 1965.
	ALL THINGS MUST PASS George Harrison “All Things Must Pass” is the title track from Harrison's successful solo debut album. He had written while The Beatles was intact. The group considered it during the 'Let It Be' sessions.
5 3	BLACKBIRD The civil rights struggle in the USA inspired the writing of "Blackbird". Paul wrote most of the song, with a little input from John. Paul sang lead, accompanied by the sound of birds chirping. The song was included on 'The White Album' ('The Beatles').
	JET Paul McCartney & Wings Named after one of McCartney's dogs, "Jet" was a highlight on Wings' 1973 hit album 'Band On The Run'. The former Beatle wrote and produced the track. In both the US and UK, the single peaked at #7.
5 2	I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER John's "I Should Have Known Better" was recorded in 1964. It was issued as the flip side for the #1 single "A Hard Day's Night". John sings lead. The track was featured in the film named after the A-side.
	WAH-WAH George Harrison Another highlight on Harrison's opus 'All Things Must Pass' is the track "Wah-Wah".  Lyrically, it may appear nonsensical, but it is infectious and offers the former Beatle an opportunity to rock out. He wrote the song and co-produced it with Phil Spector.
5 1	ALL MY LOVING Recorded in 1963, Paul's "All My Loving" was an impressive song for this early period in the group's history. The track from 'With The Beatles' is regarded as the group's first standard.
	LOVE John Lennon  / Plastic Ono Band John's tender ballad "Love" was included on the 'John Lennon'/'Plastic Ono Band' album. The disc was unleashed in 1970. He wrote the song and co-produced it with Yoko Ono and Phil Spector.