THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS. We are a quarter of the way in and the countdown continues today with songs #75-71. More 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.

7 5	MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR Paul conceived the idea of the song months before production began on the Beatles' film of the same name. John helped out with some lyrics. The track features session musicians on trumpets.
	WITH A LITTLE LUCK Paul McCartney & Wings McCartney pared Wings down to just wife Linda and Denny Laine. The trio released the 'London Town' album in 1978. Its only major hit was "With A Little Luck", written and produced by McCartney. The single reached #1 in America and peaked at #5 in Britain.
7 4	DRIVE MY CAR Paul and John share lead vocals on "Drive My Car". The song was principally the former's, with some input from the latter. The track was recorded in 1965 and was included on 'Rubber Soul'. It deals with a woman being in charge.
	HOW? John Lennon Lennon gets raw and personal on "How?". The ballad was included on his 1971 album 'Imagine'.
7 3	SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND Paul came up with the idea of presenting "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" as if the outfit actually existed. George Martin loved the concept and the sound of a live audience was added to the track. It was the title song from the group's watershed 1967 album.
	JUNIOR'S FARM Paul McCartney & Wings "Junior's Farm" was written by Paul and Linda McCartney. Released as a single in 1974, the disc peaked at #3 in the USA and went Top 20 in the UK.
7 2	WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS Paul and John co-wrote "With A Little Help From My Friends". Lead vocal duties were delegated to Ringo. The song is usually played as part of a medley with the preceding and title track on the album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'.
	BRING ON THE LUCIE (FREDA PEEPLE) John Lennon Lennon wrote the protest song "Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple)", with the humorous subtitle's play on words, for the 1973 album 'Mind Games'. He also produced the track.
7 1	BABY YOU'RE A RICH MAN "Baby You're A Rich Man" started out as 2 separate song ideas from both Paul and John. The track was recorded in 1967 and wound up as the B-side for the single "All You Need Is Love".
	HERE TODAY Paul McCartney On his 1982 album 'Tug Of War', McCartney sings the ballad "Here Today" to his recently departed friend and former bandmate John Lennon. His vocal oozes heartfelt love for his songwriting partner. George Martin's production echoes "Yesterday".