What hasn't been said about The Beatles already ? They are hailed as the greatest rock n roll band to and changed the landscape for popular music as we know it. However, with most FM classic rock stations , lots of The Fab Four's most popular hits are constantly rotated. Why not dive deep into the bands catalog to find 10 of the most forgotten, or more appropriately ,underrated Beatles songs.
10. "It Won't Be Long"
With The Beatles (1963)
"It Won't Be Long " is the brilliant opening track for The Beatles 1963 sophomore album
With The Beatles. The song was written by John Lennon , with help from Paul Mccartney. The use of the phrase yeah is used during the opening harmonies by Mccartney and Harrison which were used on their masterpiece 'She Loves You." Written as a love song, the song lyrics can be traced back to Lennon's childhood . Lennon lost his mother in a fatal car crash at age 9, and his father leaving him. This song is a reflection on his rejection and abandonment .Musically , the song uses great use of major and minor chords, along with sharp 7's , a common theme that would be use later on other recordings .
9. "I Need You"
Help! (1965)
Written by George Harrison for their 1965 album
Help!, it is a beautifully melodic love song for Harrison's future wife Patti Boyd. What makes this song stand out is the Vox overdub pedal Harrison used to record his rhythm guitar part, which is commonly known now as the wah wah pedal. For Harrison's first time out as a songwriter , it's a fabulous start .
8."I'm Only Sleeping"
Revolver (1966)
Written entirely by Lennon, his original draft for the song was titled "I'm sleeping" which was scratched on the back of a letter from the post office and was a reminder that he owed 12 pounds and three shillings for a phone bill . With it's carefree lyrics such as "Everybody seems to think I'm lazy, I don't mind I think they're crazy" it was Lennon's love for his bed. But most importantly, it was his about his troubles and worries about the Beatles . To cope, he would spend countless hours inside and just lazy around his house in Kenwood .Worrying aside, it's safe to say that this track is very playful and a real gem off of Revolver.
9. "For No One"
Revolver (1966)
Sir Paul's shining moment from the LP, the song is crafted beautifully thanks to the haunting melody and the superb horn section played by Alan Civil . Mccartney wrote the song while on holiday with then girlfriend Jane Asher . The lyrical content is a flashback on their relationship , and how love can disappear after a period of time; which is scary and can happen in any relationship .
8. "I'm Looking Through You"
Rubber Soul (1965)
From their 1965 LP masterpiece, this song is another composition by Mccarntey and is targeted around his relationship with Jane Asher. Paul was the romantic of the group, and this song showed that he can write love songs from any point of view . It showed Mccarntey at his most bitter lyrically . He was having a hard time coping with the fact that Jane put her career first before her relationship . What drives the greatness for the song, in my opinion , the acoustic guitar work and melody.
7. "You Can't Do That"
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Written entirely by John , as was most of the songs on the LP (he would contribute 10 out the 13 tracks) the idea was to write the song in the style of the great Wilson Pickett ,the legendary American R&B artist at the time . Musically , the song shows Lennon playing lead , and marked the first time George Harrison played the now iconic 12-string Rickenbacker guitar . Most if not all pop songs revolve around major chords and major changes . Lennon changed that with his iconic intro for this track by adding a minor second into a rock song, which at the time was unheard of .
6 "Tell Me Why"
A Hard Days Night (164)
Another classic from the LP, the song was written for there to be an "upbeat" number for the concert sequence in the film . John had the Chiffons or the Shirelles in mind when penning it . It's classic John . His girl lied to him and cries and cries . He appeals to the girl that he will put it right .
5."Please Please Me"
Please Please Me (1963)
With major hits like I Saw Her Standing There , the band's cover of Twist and Shout, and Love Me Do as the driving lead single , this song is always overlooked on the bands strong opening LP. The song has everything going for it. Guitars and backing vocals harmonizing perfectly , the woo' and ahh's, and the classic harmonica opening played by John . The Beatles have stated their love for American rock n roll and their admiration for Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, This was written with the vision of Roy Orbison singing this iconic song, thanks to John's countless plays of Orbison's "Only the Lonely."
4. "Dear Prudence"
The Beatles (White Album) (1968)
My all time favorite Lennon piece that he wrote with The Beatles . The second song on the White Album , this song is driven by Lennon's then newly acquired guitar technique from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan; Travis Picking . Travis Picking is a style of guitar in which you use your thumb to pluck the lower E string and use your index and middle fingers to pluck the high b and e strings . The other fingers can be use to play strings on off beats. This song also showed the bands musical capabilites . George Harrison's flowing bass line , and Paul's impressive drumming chops he provided to fill in for Ringo Starr, who temporally left the group due to constant fighting and tension while recording the album .
3. "I've Just Seen A Face"
Help! (1965)
Paul has been playing this tune on piano for quite some time and the tune goes back to when he would play it at family gatherings in Liverpool . It was originally titled "Auntie Gin's Theme" after his aunt . What makes this track shine is the opening guitar line, being played all over the neck and a great chord progression that drives the verses . It's one of the few Beatles songs Paul would play with the Wings in live shows.
2. Happiness is A Warm Gun"
The Beatles (White Album) (1968)
Regarded as Lennon's best Beatles compositions, this song again shows the Travis picking guitar style that Donovan taught the band . The song title is based on images from an acid trip Lennon had at house that Derek Taylor and friends were renting , and from a cover of an American gun magazine cover with the issue titled "Happiness is a warm gun in your hand." The "man in the crowd with multi-coloured mirrors on his hobnail boots" came from John reading a newspaper article about a soccer fan having toe caps on his shoes to look up girls. The song's highlight is the ballad type chords played on the closing verses and the ironic "bang bang shoot shoot" backing vocals .
1. "I Want to Tell You"
Revolver (1966)
This track is my personal favorite on Revolver and my favorite Harrison composed song he wrote with the band. George wrote the song as a way of expressing frustrations and statements to say but having a hard time articulating them . The song can be thought of as a love song, since we can all relate to wanting to tell someone we like them, but can't quite find the words to say. The highlight for me in this tune is Harrison's melodic and repeating guitar lick in they key of A.
