20 Best Songs by Former Beatles
46 items ranked
Don't underestimate Wing my friends! There are some damned fine songs out there by former Beatles. Here's my top 20 favorites.
Click on up and down arrows to affect item's ranking
1.
Imagine by John Lennon
Is this too obvious? There's not denying that this is the absolute number one best song that has ever been written by an ex-Beatle. There's no way around it, this song is probably the most recognizable pop/rock song in the world. The simple piano tune is timeless. And Lennon's lyrics are so basic and yet so complex, describing many of society's ills in a way that almost anyone would have to see his point of view, regardless of political beliefs. Well done, Mr. Lennon. Well done.
93 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
2.
Once Upon a Long Ago by Paul McCartney
89 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
3.
Distractions by Paul McCartney
89 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
4.
woman
89 points - added 12 years ago by herc - 1 comment
Comments:
Great song, but it's somewhat off-putting to know that it was written about Yoko. What on earth did John see in her?
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point
5.
Instant Karma by John Lennon
89 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
Expect Karma to affect you at any moment.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
6.
Here Today by Paul McCartney
88 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
7.
Mind Games by John Lennon
88 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
John is our mind guerrilla.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 2 points
8.
I'm Losing You by John Lennon
87 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
9.
Number 9 Dream
87 points - added 10 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Ethereal, haunting, and enchanting song.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
10.
Watching the Wheels
87 points - added 10 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
John expresses his feelings about letting go of the pop merry-go-round.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
11.
My Sweet Lord by George Harrison
85 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
George always gets criticised for lifting the melody from 'He's So Fine', but this song is so much more than a simple melody. The only reason that the Chiffons song is remembered now is because of the plagiarism case.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 5 points
12.
Beware of Darkness by George Harrison
85 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
The soft shoe shufflers are out to get you.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 2 points
13.
Working Class Hero
84 points - added 10 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
John at his bitterest. He bemoans the fact that you usually have to be selfish and ruthlessly competitive to be successful.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
14.
Band on the Run by Wings (Paul McCartney)
81 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
15.
Isolation by John Lennon (Plastic Ono Band)
81 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
Stark harrowing ballad which is an underrated highlight of the Plastic Ono Band album.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
16.
Jealous Guy by John Lennon
This song has such raw emotion while still being a rather simple and basic melody. Lennon wasn't afraid to show his dark side or expose his own faults to the world. And his brutal honesty makes for amazing music.
81 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
17.
All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
80 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
18.
This Is Love by George Harrison
80 points - added 6 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
One of George's catchiest songs.
Added 6 years ago by guest, 1 point
19.
How
80 points - added 10 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
An introspective and intensely personal song that is pertinent to everyone.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point
20.
God
80 points - added 10 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Terrific song which tells us that God is a concept by which we measure our pain and that John does not believe in Beatles, but only in himself and Yoko.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
21.
Photograph
Great Ringo and George collaboration.
80 points - added 10 years ago by guest -
22.
Art of Dying
Unusual yet fine song
79 points - added 11 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
George's death may not have been art, but it was certainly meticulously planned and intensely spiritual.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point
23.
Isn't It a Pity by George Harrison
79 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
Sublime bittersweet song which appears in two versions on All Things Must Pass.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
24.
Stuck Inside a Cloud - George Harrison
The subject matter of this song could have been depressing, but this song is very spiritual and uplifting.
78 points - added 10 years ago by guest -
25.
Somebody Who Cares by Paul McCartney
77 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
26.
Faster by George Harrison
75 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
27.
Old Siam, Sir by Wings
Just plain rocks!!!
75 points - added 12 years ago by guest -
28.
Coming Up by Paul McCartney
70 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
29.
No Words-Paul McCartney
69 points - added 10 years ago by guest -
30.
What is Life by George Harrison
69 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
Catchy but spiritually uplifting song.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
31.
It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr
60 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
George appears to have written this, although it is credited to Ringo.
Added 9 years ago by guest, 1 point
32.
Mrs. Vanderbilt by Paul McCartney and Wings
"Ho!...Hey, ho!" What a catchy tune! This song is perfect to sing along to, and is an important reminder that we shouldn't take everything so seriously. "What's the use of worrying?/ What's the use of anything?"
60 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
33.
Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney
This song is the quintessential love songs of rock and roll. An excellent vocal performance with raw passion and desperation. This songs resonates for anyone who has found redemption in their partner.
59 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
Nobody has the quality and quantity of songs to compare with Paul, but nearly all of them are Beatle songs, not those from his Wings or solo output.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point
34.
The Other Me by Paul McCartney
57 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
35.
One of These Days by Paul McCartney
56 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
36.
Handle With Care by The Traveling Wilbury's (George Harrison)
This 80s super-group consisted of Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Lynne and George Harrison. This was probably George Harrison at his best since the 70s.
54 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
37.
Love by John Lennon (Plastic Ono Band)
This honest song acts as a reminder that everyone is victim to the same emotions. We all want to be loved. And we're all afraid. And that's okay.
49 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
38.
Any Road
It's strange that George did not release this terrific song during his lifetime.
45 points - added 10 years ago by guest -
39.
Every Night by Paul McCartney
41 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
40.
Back Off Boogaloo
Jovial chant from Ringo with great drumming and slide guitar from George.
37 points - added 9 years ago by guest -
41.
Early 1970
Charming country rock song which presents Ringo's views of his relationships with the other ex-Beatles. It was added as a bonus track when the Ringo album was reissued on CD.
32 points - added 9 years ago by guest -
42.
Never Without You
Ringo and the rest of us will always love George.
30 points - added 10 years ago by guest -
43.
Real love
9 points - added 12 years ago by herc -
44.
I Got My Mind Set On You by George Harrison
Ok, I'll admit it ... George Harrison is my favorite Beatle. Sure, John is easily the most musically talented, but there's something about George's modest more quiet nature that pulls me in every time. This song may be a bit cheesy, as was the video with George sitting in that arm chair, but this tune was very catchy when I was a child, and I still like it now.
8 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal - 1 comment
Comments:
This song is an annoying cheesefest unworthy of George.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 5 points
45.
Momma Miss America by Paul McCartney
8 points - added 13 years ago by missdeweydecimal -
46.
Beware of Darkness
Excellent song
-43 points - added 11 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Listed twice.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 0 points
Similar Top lists
| Category | Ranked | Added by | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Songs To Play If You Are In A Cover Horn Band | Music | 40 items | mail4gigi |
| Best Songs by Third Day | Music | 13 items | BrendaKaye |
| Best Songs by the Killers | Music | 22 items | futuremedia |
| Best Songs by the Crystal Castles | Music | 24 items | futuremedia |
| Songs by Mormon Tabernacle Choir | Music | 20 items | writer_girl |
ShareRanks is about ranking things that are top, most, greatest, or even worst in all categories.
Use arrows to rank one item in 20 Best Songs by Former Beatles vs another.
Use arrows to rank one item in 20 Best Songs by Former Beatles vs another.
Top 10 20 Best Songs by Former Beatles are especially marked