This top-eight list tests your knowledge of the Beatles—or, at least, enlightens you
Mike Mannarino
Staff writer
- Abbey Road has one of the most recognizable album covers in the world—but as any fan will tell you, The Beatles’ best work requires some digging – Illustration by Mark Gran
The Beatles revolutionized the world of music, influencing millions of artists around the world with a wide variety of styles and genres. An impressive discography for 10 years active, their 12 studio albums—totalling 275 songs—can sometimes be a bit overwhelming to dive into.
“A Day In The Life,” “Hey Jude,” “Revolution,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” are among the best-known tracks that many new Beatles fans find intriguing, receiving radio airtime and inclusion on greatest hits albums. But the problem with greatest hits compilations is that they exclude some 200 awesome songs. Here are eight obscure tracks that may have slipped your radar.
“Yer Blues,” from lengthy self-titled 1968 The White Album, was written by John Lennon while on a retreat in India. Recorded in the largest closet of EMI Studio to give it a rustic, stripped-down sound reminiscent of live recordings of the early ‘60s, the song showcases Lennon’s early bluesy style. It was also featured on the Rolling Stones album Rock and Roll Circus where Lennon performed it with Keith Richards and Eric Clapton.
The second track from The White Album had its title inspired by a gun magazine. Lennon wrote “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” after he read an article in producer George Martin’s gun magazine headlined, “happiness is a warm gun” which borrows from Charles Schulz’s line, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” A gun would only be warm after firing it; Lennon was appalled by the notion. Paul McCartney’s vocals add a spoken word element to the lyrics dubbed over the chorus’ backing vocals.
The third song from The White Album, “Rocky Raccoon”, is a terrific narrative of a young man whose woman is stolen from him by another man. This song is presented as a rock song, featuring a saloon-style piano and a rare chance to hear Lennon speaking in a Southern American accent.
The White Album contained the most songs of any album produced by The Beatles—or any other artists of the time period—with two double-sided records. Naturally, many songs were bound to be skipped over.
The 1965 album Rubber Soul lends hidden gems like “Girl.” The song has a Greek-sounding mandolin playing throughout, one of the many new stringed instruments Harrison experimented with during the mid to late ‘60s. The lyrics give voice to a melancholy man venting his girl troubles. Downbeat songs were a rarity in the 60s, and a story about the girl that got away was ahead of the time period.
In contrast, “Taxman” off the 1966 Revolver features an upbeat melody with hard-hitting lyrics. The song is in response to the British Labour Party’s progressive taxation during the ‘60s which severely taxed those of high income. The lyrics reference Edward Heath and Harold Wilson, the British Prime Ministers at the time.
“I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” features impressive key changes and switch-ups. McCartney’s bass guitar solos get better as the song progresses. Unusual for a Beatles song, the run time measures in at seven minutes and 43 seconds; the average time for their songs were anywhere from one and a half to three minutes. This track is a rare glimpse of the group’s artistic liberty.
The eighth and final song is “Get Back” off the Beatles’ last studio album, Let it Be. McCartney employs unusual vocals, displaying a wide variety of vocal capabilities. The upbeat tempo, odd vocals, and quirky lyrics—its catchiness cleaves to the famous line, “get back Jo-Jo”—set this song apart from other work by The Beatles.
What is and what isn’t an obscure Beatles track is up to the listener. With over 200 songs and an endless fan base, The Beatles are still being enjoyed and analyzed. Regardless, it’s rewarding to look beyond the veil of “Hey Jude.”
