THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200 SONGS. This update: #25-21.  

More of the final quarter of this countdown 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.

2 5	I SAW HER STANDING THERE "I Saw Her Standing There" was apparently written while skipping school. Paul constructed most of this early Beatles song, with input from John. Recorded in early 1963, the energy of the Fab Four bursts through the grooves. With a rock classic as accessible as this, the band was on its way.
	MIND GAMES John Lennon "Mind Games" was the title track on Lennon's 1973 album. The song was written and produced by him. It fared well on the charts in both the UK and USA. It was an introspective song with its hypnotic draw.
2 4	PENNY LANE "Penny Lane" referred to a place in Liverpool, birthplace of The Beatles. Paul sang lead on this song- largely his work with some lyrics from John.  The single, issued in 1967, peaked at #2 in the UK and topped the American Hot 100.
	GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU George Harrison Harrison's chart comeback was kick-started in 1987 with the energetic pop release "Got My Mind Set on You". It was a remake of an obscure Rudy Clark song originally recorded by James Ray in 1962.  Harrison co-produced the cover version with Jeff Lynne. The latter augmented the overall sound, updating it without losing the singer in the process. In Britain, the single peaked at #2. It topped the charts in America, Australia and parts of Europe. Its success bolstered the chart fortunes of parent album 'Cloud Nine'.
2 3	DAY TRIPPER Paul and John share lead vocals on "Day Tripper", a song mostly penned by the latter but with some additions from the former. The 1965 single was unleashed as a double A-side with "We Can Work it Out". While in the US the song climbed to #5, it debuted at the top in Britain where the disc reigned for 5 weeks.
	(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER John Lennon "(Just Like) Starting Over" announced the return of Lennon. After years of self-imposed exile from the music scene, he and Yoko completed a comeback album entitled 'Double Fantasy'. The lead single had barely begun its chart life when the world lost him. The shock and grief that followed his assassination drove the disc to #1 around a planet in mourning.
2 2	HELP! John wrote "Help!" in April 1965 with some input from Paul. The Beatles recorded it a week later. John performed the lead vocal. Don't be distracted by the fast pace of the song, its lyrics are meaningful. John had wanted the track to be slower to bring more attention to the message. The track was the title song for The Beatles' movie 'Help!'. In July, the single was released and swiftly took over the top spot on charts around the world.
	UNCLE ALBERT / ADMIRAL HALSEY Paul & Linda McCartney McCartney scored his first post-Beatles #1 in the USA with the single "Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey". It featured 2 tracks combined as a medley. While some regard it highly, the recording has been dismissed as self-indulgent. There are moments of brilliance, including the "hands across the water" chorus towards the end. The label credits both Paul and wife Linda as co-writers and producers of this single lifted off the 1971 album 'Ram'.
2 1	A HARD DAY'S NIGHT The Beatles' hit assembly line was efficient by 1964. It took about 24 hours for John to pen "A Hard Day's Night", then have it arranged, rehearsed and recorded by the group. That the result was one of The Beatles' most memorable songs is a testament to the members' skills. It was used as the title of the next film starring the band. The title was inspired by a remark made by Ringo. In both the US and UK, the single reached #1.
	INSTANT KARMA (WE ALL SHINE ON) John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band Lennon was an astute lyricist. He could coin a phrase or title and turn it into a drawcard or anthem. "Instant Karma" is one such song. He penned the song. Phil Spector handled production. Issued in early 1970, the single went Top 5 in Britain, America, Canada, Europe and Australia.