THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS. 
This update begins with the top half of the countdown. Continuing 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.

5 0	FREE AS A BIRD Truth be told, "Free As A Bird" was not a new song. It was an unfinished demo left by John. The 3 surviving Beatles completed the track, co-producing it with Jeff Lynne. John's demo was recorded in 1977. The new version was issued as a song by The Beatles in late 1995. The Grammy winning song peaked at #2 in Britain and reached the US Top 10.
	WHEN WE WAS FAB George Harrison Harrison celebrates the halcyon days of The Fab Four on his hit single "When We Was Fab".  The track was co-written and co-produced by him with Jeff Lynne and included on the 1987 album 'Cloud Nine'.
4 9	PAPERBACK WRITER The Beatles used bass on this track in a radical way. Paul wrote most of the song, with some input from John. It is notable for having the French nursery rhyme "Frere Jacques" sung in the background. The single topped charts in USA, Britain and numerous other countries.Paul is on lead vocals.
	GETTING CLOSER Paul McCartney & Wings 1979's Wings album 'Back To The Egg' featured the rock track "Getting Closer", one of the group's best tracks. Written by McCartney, the cut was co=produced with Chris Thomas. The single peaked at #20 in America.
4 8	THINGS WE SAID TODAY While on vacation in the Bahamas, Paul penned "Things We Said Today". The song was recorded in 1964. It was included on the 'A Hard Day's Night' soundtrack and used as the B-side for the title song.
	DEVIL'S RADIO George Harrison Harrison is scathing about gossip on the track "Devil's Radio". The single was lifted off the 'Cloud Nine' album. In light of social media's saturation today, it turns out to have been a warning that was unheeded.
4 7	YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY Recorded in 1965, The Beatles raised the bar for musicianship on  John's "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away". The song finds him channelling Bob Dylan. He sings lead. It is featured on the 'Help!' soundtrack album.
	IT DON'T COME EASY Ringo Starr Issued as Starr was launching his solo career following the breakup of The Beatles, "It Don't Come Easy" was a promising start. He had written the song himself. George Harrison produced the recording. The single reached the top in Canada, #3 in Australia and peaked at #4 in both the USA and Britain in 1971.
4 6	AND I LOVE HER The gorgeous ballad "And I Love Her" could have been a throwaway cheesy number in the hands of lesser artists, but The Beatles execute the track masterfully. Paul's vocal is one of his best, revealing a tender maturity. He wrote the bulk of the song, with about a third contributed by John. Ringo plays bongos on the cut. The love song is on the 'A Hard Day's Night' album.
	OLD SIAM, SIR Paul McCartney & Wings The single "Old Siam, Sir" sees McCartney rocking out with his group Wings. It was a track lifted off the 'Back To The Egg' album. McCartney wrote the song.