THE BEATLES' ESSENTIAL 200. Today: #30-26. Continues next week.

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.

3 0	CAN'T BUY ME LOVE George Martin had the idea of starting the song with the chorus when recording "Can't Buy Me Love". It was mostly written by Paul, with perhaps some additions from John. Released just as Beatlemania was dominating the music scene, the song is an example of the infectious appeal of the Fab Four's radically new sound. No wonder it topped the charts in the USA and Britain, mainly based on advance orders.
	BEAUTIFUL BOY (DARLING BOY) John Lennon Lennon contributed "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" to the 'Double Fantasy' album. It was written about his youngest son (with Yoko) Sean. His vocals on the track are the former Beatle's tenderest.
2 9	ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE John wrote "All You Need Is Love", another worldwide #1 hit. It was premiered on the TV special "Our World" on June 25, 1967.George plays violin for the first time in his life on the track. Producer George Martin plays piano. The song has grown into an anthem of the 1960s and especially the year it was unleashed.
	SAY, SAY, SAY Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson "The Girl Is Mine" was added to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' and the other McCartney duet with the American superstar, "Say, Say, Say", ended up on the former Beatle's 'Pipes Of Peace' album. The 2 co-wrote the song which reached the top in America and peaked at #2 in Britain in 1983. George Martin produced the recording.
2 8	TICKET TO RIDE The 'Help"' album features "Ticket To Ride", another #1 smash penned by John. The single, heavier than usual for The Beatles, reached the top in 1965.
	POWER TO THE PEOPLE John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band Lennon had an uncanny ability to create anthems. His politics led to the creation of many of his standout recordings. "Power To The People" is one such rallying cry. The song appeared on his 1971 compilation album 'Shaved Fish'. Issued as a single, it reached #11 in the USA and 6 in Britain.
2 7	WE CAN WORK IT OUT Paul's then partner Jane Asher inspired the creation of "We Can Work It Out". He wrote the bulk of the song but had some assistance from John. Released as a single in late 1965, the song added to the group's list of #1 hits.
	MULL OF KINTYRE Paul McCartney & Wings McCartney co-wrote "Mull Of Kintyre" with Wings bandmate Denny Laine. When released in 1977, it soon became his biggest post-Beatles hit in the UK. It later became Britain's best selling single (a record it held until 1984). It's worth noting that the previous record holder was The Beatles' "She Loves You". The Wings hit is one of McCartney's best songs, bagpipes and all. Sadly, it fared poorly in America. Nevertheless, along with its UK #1 status, the song did top charts in Europe and Australia.
2 6	I FEEL FINE The feedback heard at the commencement of "I Feel Fine" was an accident, but the group decided to keep it because the sound was new and added to the recording. It was the first use of feedback on a record. John wrote and sang lead on the song. The single reached #1 in both Britain and America. In the former, it became one of the fastest selling singles ever.
	NOT ALONE ANYMORE Traveling Wilburys “Not Alone Anymore" is a showcase of Roy Orbison's vocal prowess. The other members of the super group orbit around his presence on this track from The Traveling Wilburys debut album.