THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200. This update: #60-56. 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.

6 0	THE FOOL ON THE HILL "The Fool On The Hill" is an example of where Paul's skill as a songwriter. He sings lead and performed the flute segments in the track. The ballad was created at his home and was included in the film 'Magical Mystery Tour' and its soundtrack album.
	OH YOKO! John Lennon Lennon penned "Oh Yoko!" about his wife Yoko Ono. The track was featured on his 1971 'Imagine' album.
5 9	DEAR PRUDENCE John penned "Dear Prudence" while in India. The woman in the title was Mia Farrow's sister. Recording took place in late August 1968. John handled the lead vocal. The track was included on 'The Beatles / (White Album)'.
	YOU George Harrison In 1975, Harrison released the 'Extra Texture' album. "You", composed by him, was selected to be the LP's lead single. It became a Top 20 hit in the USA.
5 8	YELLOW SUBMARINE "Yellow Submarine" was mostly created by Paul with some input from John. The 1966 children's song was given to Ringo to sing. John and Paul added the "submarine crew" voices. The chorus includes Patti Harrison (George's wife), Neil Aspinall and George Martin. In Britain, Europe, Canada and Australia, the single reached #1. It peaked at #2 in the USA.
	WRACK MY BRAIN Ringo Starr Starr's solo career had stalled by 1976 and the remaining 3 former Beatles offered to help him kick start it. With contributions from his former bandmates, work began on what would become 'Stop And Smell The Roses'. Lennon's assassination meant that Starr was now minus a contribution from him. Harrison wrote "Wrack My Brain" for Starr. The track was issued as a single and reached #38. It remains his most recent US Top 40 entry.
5 7	BACK IN THE U.S.S.R. Inspired by Chuck Berry's "Back In The U.S.A." and The Beach Boys, Paul wrote "Back In The U.S.S.R.". The references to the Soviet Union suddenly made the U.S.S.R. cool, amid Cold War tensions. The song was included on 'The Beatles' with Paul on lead vocals.
	THIS SONG George Harrison "This Song" reveals Harrison's wit. It was inspired by litigation to determine whether his "My Sweet Lord" was a copy of The Chiffons' "He's So Fine". (He lost the case). The accompanying music video is humorous and endearing. The US #25 hit was lifted off his 'Thirty Three & 1/3' album which was released in 1976. Eric Idle is a guest on the track. Billy Preston weaves magic on keyboards. Tom Scott blasts his saxophone.
5 6	FROM ME TO YOU Recorded in 1963, "From Me To You" the track from 'Please Please Me', was co-written by John and Paul. They share lead vocal duties. Both were honing in their songwriting skills. The single became the group's first chart topper in the UK.
	HELEN WHEELS Paul McCartney & Wings "Helen Wheels" proved McCartney could still rock out. The track was written and produced by him, inspired by his land rover. In the USA, the 1973 single peaked at #10 and reached #12 on the British chart.