The Beatles was just a story until one fateful day when John Lennon met Paul McCartney at St Peter’s Church Hall Fete in Woolton, Liverpool. The duo loved music and shared the same passion, and love for blues. With such a charming friendship, Lennon invited McCartney to join The Quarrymen which later evolved into the Beatles.
With the exit of Pete Best, Ringo Starr joined as a drummer and saw George Harrison as the lead guitarist. Then, the rest is history. They went on to become one of the most influential bands of all time. Their music captured the hearts of millions, oftentimes with their songwriting and vocal harmonies. Their early materials conquered the world, and even after their disbandment, the four artists pursued their own careers and left a great mark on the world.
Over the years, they gave many interviews revealing their favorite songs. They also picked their favorite Beatles songs. And today we have compiled all the songs they mentioned. It makes quite a playlist.
The Beatles Pick Their Favorite Beatles Songs
Paul McCartney’s Favorite Beatles Songs
Paul’s favorite songs are from their early days, well, most of them are. His list showcases songs like ‘From Me To You’ and ‘Let It Be’. He and Lennon were the primary songwriters in the band. When he was asked about his favorite song they wrote together by Louis Theroux. He responded,
“‘Julia’…is about the mum he couldn’t live with. So I loved the poignancy of that because I’d been with him round to Julia’s house to visit her. And I knew how deeply he loved her. So ‘Julia’ I would go with.”
He has also revealed that Harrison is one of the most talented writers. Paul talked about him and said, “I like George’s song ‘Something. For me, I think it’s the best he’s written.” At the same time, Lennon also said, “I think that’s about the best track on the album, actually.”
- You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
- Strawberry Fields Forever
- Hey Jude
- Blackbird
- Eleanor Rigby
- Across the Universe
- Julia
- From Me To You
- This Boy
- Here There and Everywhere
- Yesterday
- And Your Bird Can Sing
- Rain
- Fixing a Hole
- A Day in the Life
- Penny Lane
- The Inner Light
- Happiness Is A Warm Gun
- Something
- Let It Be
John Lennon’s Favorite Beatles Songs
The song Lennon always loved was ‘Across the Universe’. It appeared in ‘Let It Be’ and was written by himself. He said, “It’s one of the best lyrics I’ve written. In fact, it could be the best, I don’t know. It’s good poetry or whatever you call it. Without tunes it will stand.”
He has also talked about songs like ‘Strawberry Fields’, ‘Help’ and ‘In My Life’. He revealed those three songs when he was in an interview with Rolling Stone in 1970. It was an interview with Jann Wenner the founder of the magazine. When Lennon was asked why? He replied,
“Because it’s real, yeah. It’s like talking, you know, ‘I sometimes think no, but then again, I mean’, you know, like that. It’s like that Elton John one where he’s talking to himself sort of singing which I thought was nice.”
- Help
- Strawberry Fields Forever
- I Want To Hold Your Hand
- I Am The Walrus
- Girl
- Across The Universe
- In My Life
George Harrison’s Favorite Beatles Songs
Harrison was always anxious when it came to revealing his favorite songs. He was also less eager to look back on his time with The Beatles when they split in 1970. But during an interview in the 1990s, he revealed ‘Rubber Soul’ is his favorite album.
George said the reason behind it was how they all knew it was going to be a good album. He disclosed they spent a lot of time trying new things and experimenting. They were hearing sounds they had never heard before. This was a great feeling and this made them grow.
Also with Lennon in 1974, Harrison picked ‘Norwegian Wood’ as a great song. He said he, “felt where it was coming from.”
- Every Little Thing
- This Boy
- She Came In Through the Bathroom Window
- Because
- Golden Slumbers
- Norwegian Wood (This Bird has Flown)
- I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
- In My Life
- Eleanor Rigby
- Strawberry Fields Forever
Ringo Starr’s Favorite Beatles Songs
Ringo also contributed to the band’s songwriting. He was not regarded as a prolific songwriter as John Lennon and Paul McCartney but he went on to co-write some of the best songs like, ‘Goodnight’. He had solo writing credits on only two songs. They are ‘Dont Pass Me By’, and ‘Octopus’s Garden’.
Starr was not much of a writer but he does have a beautiful voice. He also offered his voice to many popular tracks. Ringo revealed that he is proud of his work on ‘Rain’ in comparison to all other Beatles songs. He talked about it in Barry Miles’ Many Years From Now.
While talking about the song ‘Paperback Writer’, Ringo also said, “I feel as though that was someone else playing. I was possessed. I was into the snare and hi-hat. I think it was the first time I used this trick of starting a break by hitting the hi-hat first instead of going directly to a drum off the hi-hat. I think it’s the best out of all the records I’ve ever made.”
During a bonus interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert when asked, “You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life. What is it?” He replied, “[The Beatles’] ‘Come Together.”
- Rain
- Come Together
- Octopus’s Garden
- Paperback Writer
