THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS. This update: #70-66. 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 0	ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC The Beatles covered Chuck Berry's seminal rock song "Rock And Roll Music" in 1964. The remake wound up on 'Beatles For Sale'. John performed the lead vocal.
	ISOLATION John Lennon "Isolation" is a track featured on Lennon's first solo studio album. It was co-credited to the Plastic Ono Band. Lennon penned the introspective track.
6 9	THE WORD "The Word" was recorded in 1965 and included on 'Rubber Soul'. The song was partly written by both Paul and John. The 2 share lead vocal duties with George Harrison.
	EBONY AND IVORY Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder Cheesy as hell, "Ebony And Ivory" has a positive message to peddle as McCartney and duet partner Stevie Wonder plead for unity and harmony. McCartney wrote the song. George Martin produced the track. The duet was included on the 1982 album 'Tug Of War'. In both the US and Britain, the single reached #1.
6 8	TWIST AND SHOUT The recording sessions for 'Please Please Me' were approaching an end when The Beatles and producer George Martin decided to record a remake of The Isley Brothers' R&B classic "Twist And Shout". John, performed the lead vocal. While 2 takes were recorded, the first was used.
	OH MY LOVE John Lennon Lennon wrote the gentle ballad "Oh My Love" with partner Yoko Ono. The song was included on his 1971 album 'Imagine'. George Harrison played on the cut. It was produced by its 2 writers and Phil Spector. It was written in 1968 when Lennon was still one of The Beatles.
6 7	DON'T LET ME DOWN The Beatles are captured performing John's song "Don't Let Me Down" in the film 'Let It Be'. He sings lead. Billy Preston played on the track. John dedicated the song to Yoko Ono.
	COMING UP Paul McCartney / Wings   The single "Coming Up" featured 2 versions. One side was a studio recording by McCartney. The other was a live performance with his group Wings. The song was lifted off the 1980 album 'McCartney II'. The single reached #1 in America and Canada. In Britain and Australia, the disc peaked at #2.
6 6	BECAUSE Yoko was playing Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on the piano when John asked her to play the chords backwards. This inspired him to pen "Because". The track features harmonies from John, Paul and George and was included on 'Abbey Road'.
	STAND BY ME John Lennon Lennon's remake of Ben E. King's R&B anthem "Stand By Me" was a single lifted off his 1975 covers album 'Rock 'n' Roll'.