THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS. This update: #45-41. 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.

4 5	EIGHT DAYS A WEEK A flippant comment from Ringo gave Paul & John the title for another Beatles hit. The former was the principal writer of "Eight Days A Week", with about a third contributed by the latter. John sings the lead. The single topped the American & British charts in 1964-5, lifted off the 'Beatles For Sale' album.
	WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT John Lennon It is surprising that by 1974, Lennon was the only former member of The Beatles not to have achieved a solo #1 in America. His 'Walls and Bridges' album was cut during his legendary "lost weekend" period. Separated from Yoko Ono, he was far from at his best. "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" was issued as a single later that year. Even Lennon bet against the single's chance of topping the charts. Elton John, who performed on the track, believed it could be a #1. Lennon was proven wrong. Although the single only climbed to #38 in Britain, it did become the only solo US chart topper during his lifetime.Lennon wrote and produced the track.
4 4	LADY MADONNA Paul wrote and performed the lead vocal on "Lady Madonna". The single reached #1 in Britain and peaked at #4 in the USA during 1968.
	MAGNETO AND TITANIUM MAN Paul McCartney & Wings Put aside that the song deals with Marvel characters, the musical execution by Wings is a slice of the state of pop at the time. The single was lifted off the 1975 album 'Venus And Mars'. The track was penned and produced by McCartney. With the rise in popularity of the Marvel superheroes, maybe he is now having the last laugh!
4 3	LOVE ME DO An early attempt at writing a hit, based around a previous song idea from Paul. Along with John, the 2 crafted a song revealing an early glimpse at their burgeoning songwriting skills. Paul & John share lead vocals. "Love Me Do" was issued as a single in late 1962, before Beatlemania exploded. Its chart life lacked promise, entering the UK Top 30 at #27 before exiting the following week. The disc returned but only climbed to #17. In the US, Capitol Records refused to even release the single. By 1964, everything had changed. The Beatles were household names and the fans lifted the single to the top in America.
	END OF THE LINE Traveling Wilburys Released in 1989 as the follow-up single after the success of debut hit "Handle With Care", "End of the Line" is also on the group's first album. By this time, member Roy Orbison had passed away so he is absent -but paid tribute to- in its music video.
4 2	HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE Paul's composition "Here, There And Everywhere" was inspired by The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows". The lead vocal is delivered by him. One of The Beatles' best ballads, it was included on 'Revolver'.
	THE GIRL IS MINE Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson One of the 2 McCartney duets with Michael Jackson, "The Girl Is Mine" was included on the latter's phenomenal album 'Thriller'. The other, "Say, Say, Say", was on the former's 'Pipes Of Peace' LP. Jackson penned "The Girl Is Mine" and Quincy Jones produced the recording. The duet peaked at #2 in America and climbed to #8 in the UK. It features the infamous spoken words: "I'm a lover, not a fighter".
4 1	HELLO GOODBYE Paul penned "Hello Goodbye", a catchy pop piece from The Beatles. Issued in 1967, the single with him on lead vocals, made #1 on both sides of the Atlantic.
	IF NOT FOR YOU George Harrison Bob Dylan recorded "If Not For You" for his 1970 album release 'New Morning'. Its lyrics are beautifully simplistic. Harrison did not change much in his remake which is found on 'All Things Must Pass', issued in the same year. His guitar work shines on this re-interpretation.