Few bands in history hold the same legendary status as The Beatles. Their influence on music is undeniable, their pop stardom unmatched, and their songwriting prowess unparalleled.
Though their career spanned a mere decade, they left behind a treasure trove of unforgettable songs, many of which continue to resonate with audiences today.
But some Beatles tracks transcend mere popularity. These songs are not just catchy or well-written, they possess a timeless quality that elevates them to the realm of the eternal. They are songs that have been covered countless times, analyzed by music scholars, and etched into the collective musical consciousness.
In this article, we delve into three such Beatles songs, compositions so powerful they seem destined to forever grace the airwaves and playlists of music lovers across generations.
“Hey Jude” (1968)
“Hey Jude” was once called “Hey Jules”, a song Paul McCartney wrote to offer comfort to John Lennon’s son Julian during his parents’ divorce. John himself interpreted the song as a blessing from McCartney for his relationship with Yoko Ono. Both John and Cynthia appreciated McCartney’s gesture of support during a difficult time.
Despite its unusual length, exceeding seven minutes with a four-minute outro, “Hey Jude” defied expectations. Producer George Martin initially questioned its radio playability, but John famously countered, “They will if it’s us”.
The song’s success proved John right. It became the longest single to top the British charts at the time and spent nine weeks at No. 1 in the US, making it the Beatles’ best-performing single there. It also tied the record for the longest-reigning chart-topping single.
“Hey Jude” remains The Beatles’ most successful US single and is widely considered one of the greatest songs ever written. It appears at No. 8 on Rolling Stone‘s list and No. 10 on Billboard‘s 55th Anniversary countdown. Additionally, it holds the title of the most referenced musical performance.
“Let It Be” (1970)
“Let It Be,” a heartfelt ballad penned by Paul, is a poignant final chapter in The Beatles’ discography. Featuring a simple yet powerful message of solace and acceptance, it topped the Billboard charts and became a timeless classic.
The song’s origins trace back to a personal moment for McCartney. He dreamt of his late mother, Mary, who passed away when he was young. In the dream, she offered words of comfort, inspiring the song’s central theme of letting go and finding peace amidst life’s struggles.
While the song appeared on their final album, its seeds were sown earlier, during a tumultuous period for the band. As documented in the recent The Beatles: Get Back film, the song emerged from studio sessions marked by tension and the band’s eventual dissolution.
Despite the backdrop of personal loss and band turmoil, “Let It Be” transcends its specific context. It serves as a universal message of hope and resilience, reminding us to navigate life’s challenges with acceptance and inner peace.
“Lucky in the Sky with Diamonds” (1967)
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is a beloved Beatles song known for its whimsical lyrics and psychedelic imagery. However, its inspiration lies in a much simpler place: a drawing by Julian Lennon.
Julian, then a young child, drew a picture of his classmate named Lucy surrounded by stars and titled it “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. This innocent artwork sparked John’s imagination and became the foundation for the iconic song.
The song’s title, with its initials spelling out “LSD”, and its dreamlike imagery led to widespread speculation that it was an ode to the hallucinogenic drug. This notion was further fueled by the “Summer of Love” counterculture of the time.
Despite the persistent belief, John consistently denied that the song had anything to do with LSD. He maintained that it was purely inspired by Julian’s drawing and his own love for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.