Why 13? I got the list cut down to 13 and couldn't take any more off, so instead of a top 10, it is top 13. Radio and history narrow down a band's catalogue to the greatest hits that you hear over and over again. But I find it rewarding to visit (or revisit) those songs that for whatever reason did not get released as a single or did not somehow make it into regular rotation on classic rock radio or get used in a beer commercial. With a great band like the Beatles, the deep cuts are often as interesting or great as the hits. Now, I do not subscribe to the philosophy, as stated by my friend Jim, that there is no such thing as a bad Beatles song. (See "Hello Goodbye", "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Wild Honey Pie", "I Me Mine", etc.) Nobody's infallible, not even the Fab Four. So, here are my favorite 13 Beatles songs that were not hits. If you want a fresh look at the most familiar of bands, make this list into a playlist. It will be a fresher ride that listening to "Hey Jude" for the 1,128th time. Listed in chronological order...
"Things We Said Today" from A Hard Day's Night, 1964: One of many earlier McCartney pop gems.
"Yes It Is" released as a b-side in 1965: Gorgeous, and probably the best example of their three-way harmonies.
"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" from Help!, 1965: Lennon tries to be Dylan.
"If I Needed Someone" from Rubber Soul, 1965: The Beatles influenced their contemporaries, sure. But what is often overlooked is that they were also influenced by the music of the day as well. Here, George Harrison does his best Byrds impression.
"Good Day Sunshine" from Revolver, 1966: The Revolver record is their best. While they all shine, I find myself most impressed by McCartney during this time period. His set of pop gems on Revolver are so, so great.
"Tomorrow Never Knows" from Revolver, 1966: One of the opening salvos of psychedelia.
"Only a Northern Song" from Yellow Submarine, 1967: George Harrison didn't even think much of this one, but I've always thought it had a great groove.
"Happiness Is a Warm Gun" from The Beatles (White Album), 1968: Created from three disparate song fragments, this disjointed Lennon masterpiece makes for a fascinating 2:45. Lennon said that he got the song title from an article in a gun magazine that he saw.
"Rocky Raccoon" from The Beatles (White Album), 1968: Often McCartney's goofy little story-songs are annoying (especially during his solo career), but this one works and is charming.
"Helter Skelter" from The Beatles (White Album), 1968: Evidence that McCartney can rock as hard as Lennon. ("Julia" from the same record provides evidence that Lennon could write songs as pretty as McCartney could. The stereotypes aren't always correct.)
"Don't Let Me Down" b-side, 1969: Should have been on Let It Be.
"I've Got a Feeling" from Let It Be, 1969: Although tensions were at an all time high, this song shows that Lennon and McCartney could still work together. Created from a song fragment of Lennon's and a song fragment of McCarney's to create a whole (like the more celebrated "A Day in the Life.") Had a great experience last weekend playing this on Beatles Rockband at my friend Paul's place. I was taking McCartney's part and Paul and Jim were singing the Lennon parts. Blasting through a killer stereo system, man, we sounded awesome! That was fun. That is probably the coolest part of Beatles Rockband, the three-way harmony singing that you can do. It is difficult!
"You Never Give Me Your Money" from Abbey Road, 1969: McCartney and producer George Martin really own Abbey Road.
What are some of your favorite non-hit Beatles tunes?
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Very nice calls on "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away,” "Helter Skelter,” “I've Got a Feeling" and "You Never Give Me Your Money.” Not sure how we’re defining “hits,” since some of those seem like hits (of a sort) to me, but four others that come to my mind are: “And Your Bird Can Sing, “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window,” “For No One” and “I Will”
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