THE BEATLES' 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS. Today: #20-16. Continues tomorrow.

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.

2 0	NORWEGIAN WOOD (THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN) Boasting the first use of the sitar in a pop recording, "Norwegian Wood" remains a well constructed and written Beatles track. George played the sitar, an instrument he was learning to master then. John wrote most of the song, inspired by an affair he was involved in at the time, with a little lyrical input from Paul. The song was recorded in 1965 and included on the 'Rubber Soul' album.
	MY LOVE Paul McCartney & Wings McCartney could easily have turned a song such as "My Love" into a sugar-coated schmaltzy love song, but he wisely restrains himself. The tender heartfelt lyrics rise to the fore, with minimal distractions. His vocal is tempered and sincere  as he explains his love for wife Linda. It was included on the Wings album 'Red Rose Speedway'. Issued in 1973, the song became a #1 single in America.
1 9	GOLDEN SLUMBERS; CARRY THAT WEIGHT; THE END For all the hostile criticism aimed at Paul for his cheesy and saccharine elements in some of his recorded output, the best counter argument is the trio of songs that close the 'Abbey Road' album. Although 3 separate songs, they are usually played as one piece. Beginning with "Golden Slumbers", Paul re-interprets a traditional tune he barely recalled. Thomas Dekker had written a poem over 400 years before Paul made alterations to the words and recreated a new "Golden Slumbers". All 4 Beatles sing the chorus of "Carry That Weight", a track that leads seamlessly into "The End". It is fitting that this was the last song written for the group's final album (although 'Let It Be' was issued after 'Abbey Road'). Ringo shines on drums on this track. The song includes one of the best lines in a Beatles song: "the love you take is equal to the love you make". The 3 tracks were cut in July 1969.
	#9 DREAM John Lennon Lennon's 1974 album 'Walls And Bridges' included the hypnotic track "#9 Dream" (aka "No. 9 Dream"). The track has a soothing, intriguing aural quality. It was a Top 10 single in the USA.
1 8	NOWHERE MAN John sings the lead vocal on his composition "Nowhere Man", a song recorded by the group for the 'Rubber Soul' album. The lyrics reflect a shift in the usual themes dealt with in The Beatles' songs; so early in the group's evolution.
	HANDLE WITH CARE Traveling Wilburys Few all star collaborations succeed as perfectly as "Handle With Care". The lead single from the supergroup's debut album, it allows each member an opportunity to shine without detracting from the fact that this was a group of kindred spirits having a fun jam. It charted on both sides of the Atlantic and was especially popular in Australia, where it peaked at #3 in 1988.
1 7	WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS George had written "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" but the other Beatles could not realize its potential. He decided to invite Eric Clapton into a recording session which persuaded the remaining members to tackle the song again. It remains one of George's best offerings to the Beatles canon. He sings lead, while Clapton performed lead guitar on the track.
	SILLY LOVE SONGS Paul McCartney & Wings McCartney shows his humour on "Silly Love Songs". After years of derision about what commentators have often dismissed as syrupy and corny tunes, he hit back with an over the top blast of sweet pop in his defense. Love him or hate him, few could turn a criticism into a mega-hit. In 1976, the single reached #1 in America and Canada. It peaked at #2 in Britain.
1 6	IN MY LIFE While the exact breakdown of input has been argued for decades, both John and Paul contributed to the beautiful ballad "In My Life". Never crossing the line into cheesy, the lyrics are filled with maturity. It was inspired by John reminiscing about places and people in his past. George Martin performs a keyboard solo during the track. Recorded in 1965, it was included on the 'Rubber Soul' album.
	GIVE ME LOVE  (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) George Harrison When Harrison's "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" reached #1 on the US chart, he replaced McCartney and "My Love". The 1973 hit was lifted off the former's 'Living in the Material World' album. Harrison wrote and produced the beautiful track.