Do you have a favorite Beatles song?

[red dog 1]

Last edited Mon Sep 10, 2018, 08:04 PM - Edit history (3)

I realize that choosing only one Beatles song as your favorite is like choosing only one Bob Dylan song as your favorite, or choosing only one Woody Guthrie song, or choosing only one Hank Williams song, or even choosing only one Beatles album as your favorite...It's nearly impossible!

For example, I have five or six Beatles songs that are "my favorites" and I love them all equally, so to choose only one as "my favorite" would be extremely difficult for me, (but not impossible)

[Notice that my question isn't worded "What's your favorite Beatles song?" - but instead is:
"Do you HAVE a favorite Beatles song?"]

Feel free to post ALL your favorite Beatles songs in a reply.

22 votes, 4 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	All You Need is Love
	1 (5%)
	Imagine (John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band)
	2 (9%)
	Hey Jude
	3 (14%)
	Here Comes the Sun
	0 (0%)
	When I'm 64
	1 (5%)
	Come Together
	2 (9%)
	A Day in the Life
	7 (32%)
	While My Guitar Gently Weeps
	3 (14%)
	Yesterday
	1 (5%)
	Let It Be
	2 (9%)
	4 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[notdarkyet]

1. While my guitar gently weeps...

[samnsara]

3. good one too!

[red dog 1]

13. I love that one too - so which one should I take down to make room for it?

[red dog 1]

23. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is now a poll option

It killed me to have to take down "Strawberry Fields" to make room for it; but it's a better song, imo.

George wrote most of the music during the Beatles' February-April 1968 trip to India, and wrote the words after the band returned home.
The initial studio recording took place in July 25, 1968 and "was a subdued, nearly solo piece"
A second version with the full band [John playing organ] was recorded on August 16th and September 3rd.
On Sept. 5th, they recorded a third, electric version with John on lead guitar with Ringo "contributing a heavy, lurching rhythm.
George later remembered "I went home that night thinking 'Well, that's a shame,' because I knew the song was pretty good."
The next day, Sept. 6th, George was giving Eric Clapton a ride from Surrey into London, and asked the Cream guitarist to play on the song.
Clapton initially declined, saying "Nobody [else] ever plays on Beatles records."
But Harrison replied,"Look, it's my song. I want you to play on it."

"With the famous guest in the studio, the other Beatles got down to business - McCartney's harmonies sound particularly inspired...Clapton's flickering filigrees and spectacular, lyrical solo brought the whole thing together, and it was finished that night."

"It's lovely, plaintive," Mick Jagger told Rolling Stone in 2002.
"Only a guitar player could write that...I love that song."
[Rolling Stone Magazine article: "100 Greatest Beatles Songs"]

[KatyMan]

67. I know it's subjective

But Gently Weeps is nowhere near Strawberry Fields!

[samnsara]

2. hands down..."She Loves You"...followed by 'Twist and Shout'

[skylucy]

4. Impossible to pick one favorite, but "She Loves You" and "Twist and Shout"

are definitely among my favorites too!

[kwassa]

74. I like the Isley Brothers original better for Twist and Shout.

[maxrandb]

5. Don't Bring Me Down

[Ron Obvious]

7. I have that as a B-side

To either Get Back or the Ballad of John and Yoko, I think. I liked it better than the A-side.

[4139]

6. Eleanor Rigby

Y

[Raven123]

34. Agree

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Eleanor Rigby! Doesn't go on nearly long enough!

Let It Be is a close second.

[unblock]

9. So many great ones!

From that list I picked "let it be", but my favorite changes from time to time anyway.

"If I fell" is remarkable for its simultaneous simplicity and complexity
"Help!" Is an under-appreciated rocking masterpiece.
"A day in the life" is genius and the crescendo and final chord and sustain is a legendary moment in rock and roll history.

So many others to choose from....

[Upthevibe]

49. unblock, when I was six years old, Help! came out. My family ALWAYS

had music on and I was incredibly lucky that I was the youngest of four kids. My dad loved big band, mom loved musicals, and then there were my brother who was 10 years older and one of my sisters who was eight years older- they listened to all of the 60's music. I remember the day I heard Help! coming out of my sister's bedroom. I stopped in my tracks. It was my first exposure to The Beatles and I've been on that road ever since. I completely agree that Help! is a masterpiece.

[ZZenith]

54. The way the backup vocals foreshadow the lead vocal is genius.

My friend Eddy Collette and I used to sing that at the top of our longs in 5th grade.

[FiveGoodMen]

104. Help! was the first R&R single I ever got

Backed with I'm Down.

I was six as well.

Used to stand next to the record player doing the twist.

[brewens]

10. And Your Bird Can Sing. I especially remember that from the Beatles Cartoon. n/t

[Danmel]

20. I remember that from the cartoon too!

[Mister Ed]

85. Thank you! My favorite too! I thought I was alone.

That song fills me with euphoria whenever I hear it.

[Donkees]

11. The Beatles - In My Life

[Zoonart]

16. Love this too.

Also always like HELP. It seems to me to be peak poppy Beatles. Before they began moving in different directions musically. Love all of the BEATLES play book.

[femmocrat]

46. That is my favorite one too.

[Eugene]

12. "Hey Jude" followed closely by "I Am the Walrus"

[Hoyt]

14. Rocky Raccoon.

[Kahuna7]

15. Hey Jude is my second fave. My absolute favorite is, The Long and Winding Road.nt

[Phentex]

48. same here! I have only 3 Beatles songs on my phone...

Long and Winding Road, Hey Jude and Let it Be

[Kahuna7]

75. Let it Be is my third too. We have like taste in Beatles music.

[Dave in VA]

17. All of the Above

Plus about 100 more!!!

[Loge23]

18. It's like picking a favorite child

I have often thought of this question in response to numerous polls I've seen.
I passed - there's just too many and they all still have enormous appeal, albeit different songs at different times.
I heard "She's Leaving Home" recently, hardly a top pick probably, but the song just killed me - nearly brought tears.
"Ticket to Ride" is another. I've heard this tune a thousand times if I heard it once, but recently it sounded new and fresh all over again.
And who can ever forget hearing the beginning chords of "I Wanna Hold your Hand" - it still shakes me!
I love the "Help" album, and can probably admit to this record being me overall favorite album, but what about "Revolver", "The Second Album", "Rubber Soul", the sublime "Abbey Road", or you name it?!
So, yes, I have a favorite song but it keeps changing!

[red dog 1]

25. Yeah, I know what you mean

I have two "favorite" Beatles albums - Sgt.Pepper & Abbey Road.
I love them both.
As far as favorite Beatles song,,,,I'd probably vote for "Let It Be"..
but I also love "Get Back," "All You Need is Love," "Come Together" and "A Day in the Life"
[Not to mention "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"]

[smirkymonkey]

50. So true!

Hard to just pick one and it changes with my mood.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

92. Like children, if you can't pick one that you like the most, ..

... which Beatles song aggravates you the least?

(kidding) (maybe)...

[Loge23]

94. It's a good tune, but...

"Got to get you into my life" always kind of just didn't fit in for me as a Beatles tune.

[Doc_Technical]

19. Yes

[Danmel]

21. If I needed someone

I love the jangly 12 string guitar sound.

[Tikki]

22. 'Paperback Writer' or 'Doctor Robert''..that era Beatles..1966ish.

Tikki

[Archae]

24. "Hey Bulldog"

Love that one.

[bullimiami]

26. ticket to ride

[ADX]

27. "Helter Skelter"...

[guillaumeb]

28. "Here comes the sun" is my favorite.

The music, the lyrics of hope.

[CTyankee]

30. I loved that song and was in grad school (late in life) when it came out.

I thought it was wonderful.

[CottonBear]

29. In My Life and Here Comes The Sun. 🌞

My very first record was a 45 of Yellow Submarine that I played on my Close and Play record player. I was about 4 or 5 years old at the time.

[Guilded Lilly]

31. Blackbird :) with about 2 dozen in second place.

[Paladin]

32. "Norwegian Wood," with "Hey Jude" a close second place. (nt)

[Danmel]

33. If I needed someone

I love the jangly 12 string guitar sound.

[Va Lefty]

35. "I'm looking through you"

[kwassa]

73. great song, great album.

[dhill926]

36. With a gun to my head...

I Feel Fine.

[KatyMan]

68. That's a great song

all around, the guitars, bass, drums, vocals--a complete package.

[Mr.Bill]

96. I'll list four, one with each beatle singing:

George - Within You Without You. This song will be played at my funeral.
John - Yer Blues. Simple pure kick-ass blues/rock.
Ringo - Octopuse's Garden. Just a delightful tune. Great story behind it, look it up.
Paul - Oh Darlin'. Paul's vocal masterpiece.

Noted that the George song has no other Beatles playing on it.

[rurallib]

37. "Across The Universe" - the imagery is so wonderful

I take a little trip when I listen imagining words flowing into a paper cup et alia.

That has seemed to emerge as my favorite over the past 5 years or so.

[sarge43]

38. Here, There and Everywhere

Close second: Here Comes the Sun

[aka-chmeee]

39. Chose #1

but probably like "It's all too Much" better and "You know my name" just for weirdness.

[MuseRider]

40. All of the above

and all the rest. My favorite is what I am listening to at the time.

[Totally Tunsie]

41. "If I Fell" would be at the top of my list...love it!

So simple and so pretty. <sigh>

[mulsh]

42. IF I Fell, it's the harmonies. they blew me away when I heard it when it was released. as I learned

to play and write music they continue to blow me away.

[mokawanis]

43. Love Me Do

Simple and sweet love song. Love the harmonica and the chorus.

[trueblue2007]

44. ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN !!!!

[Lucinda]

45. Today....it's "Something" - but tomorrow it might be another song

I'm fickle like that!

[ZZenith]

52. 45 posts to get to what Frank Sinatra called "the greatest song ever written."

Can’t believe it’s not a poll option!

[Lucinda]

57. I was surprised too!

[ZZenith]

58. Let me know what song is your favorite tomorrow, please!

But tomorrow may rain, so...

[red dog 1]

61. When one posts a poll, you only get 10 slots to use as poll options

No more than 10....Period!
Would you be able to post a favorite Beatles song poll using only 10 options?
If so, which 10 Beatles songs would you choose?

I make it a rule to never "replace" a poll option that has even one vote; but I have to agree with you about "Something".....It does belong up there.
So, I'm removing "With a Little Help From My Friends" because it only got one vote, and I'm replacing it with "Something"

[I'm NOT a fan of Sinatra's...but if he did say that about "Imagine"...............]

Anyway, you can vote for "Imagine" now.

[ZZenith]

62. Wait, whut?

I appreciate your response but “Imagine” is John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band.

And no, I couldn’t limit Beatles options to ten but an “other” option would have sufficed.

But this is all in good fun and I am glad you put the poll together.

“Imagine” definitely does not belong in that list, though.

[red dog 1]

64. Yeah, I remembered that after I posted "Imagine".

I think I even bought a 45 rpm copy of "Imagine" back in the 1980's - I also bought a 45 rpm copy of John Lennon's "Nobody Told Me" during the same time period.

The "Pass" option, which is automatically included in all DU polls, can be used the same as "Other"

I didn't mean to sound so "harsh" in my reply ...It's just that anytime I post a poll, I get replies like "How could you not include_____?"

And you are right... "Imagine" does not belong on the list, since it's not a "Beatles song"
However, it IS a very good song, so I think I'll leave it up there with a notation that it's by:
"John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band"

[ZZenith]

65. Cheers to you red dog 1!

And I am no fan of Sinatra either, notwithstanding his opinion on “Something,” the greatest Beatles song ever written!

[red dog 1]

70. Harlan Ellison was no fan of Sinatra either

If you haven't already read it, there's an April, 1966 "Esquire" article written by Gay Talese called "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold"

It's been called one of the greatest magazine articles ever written.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181089386

[malthaussen]

47. Yes, all of them.

They never did a bad cut.

In context, I think "Please Please Me" is of considerable significance, because it reflects their hard-rocking roots and was quite revolutionary for 1963.

-- Mal

[ginnyinWI]

51. Maybe I'm Amazed.

[WiffenPoof]

107. Solo Effort

I'm pretty sure this was not a Beatles tune proper. While Paul wrote it before the Beatles broke up, it was released as a solo effort.

[JoeOtterbein]

53. Hide Your Love Away

One of the most self-aware and sincere songs ever!

Edit to add:

[LibDemAlways]

108. Yes. Me too.

[lunamagica]

55. I could never pick one! Among my favotites

Hey Jude

Things we said today

The long and winding road

Let it be

Michelle

Yesterday

Eleanor Rigby

Please, please me

Twist and shout

So many, many more

[Loge23]

56. Shoutout for Please Please Me!

What a killer tune - to this day!
Considering this one the very earliest records, it's no wonder that the Beatles became the legends they are.

[Dennis Donovan]

59. Across the Universe - the prettiest Beatles song of all...

...with Something a close 2nd.

[Steerpike]

60. cool

[red dog 1]

63. My favorite Beatles song today is "When I'm 64"

[but I'll probably have another favorite one tomorrow]

[kentuck]

66. Fixin' a Hole...

..where the rain comes in...

and keeps my mind from wandering....

Where it will go.....

[red dog 1]

69. I love that one too

[lpbk2713]

71. Two of Us

Because it hasn't been mentioned yet.

But I could go on and on.

[kwassa]

72. Drive My Car

[oberliner]

76. Changes from day to day

[FloridaBlues]

78. Black bird singing in the dead night.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

77. She Said She Said.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

79. P.S. I Love You

[tirebiter]

80. Woodwegian Nor

Hard to find but it's out there.

[GReedDiamond]

81. And Your Bird Can Sing...

and/or Rain

...just to name two favorites.

[flotsam]

82. Golden Slumbers/ Carry that Weight....

I know many of them great but I can't believe I'm the first one to make this pick!

[muntrv]

83. "I am The Walrus," "Hello Goodbye."

[argyl]

84. I can't do it. Picked "Here Comes The Sun" for best on list.

But my very favorite? Sheesh, these guys literally wrote the soundtrack for my coming of age years.

And for a few hundreds of millions around the world as well.

[mysteryowl]

86. They are all good! Love the Beatles!

[orleans]

87. in my life n/t

[DFW]

88. Four way tie

Fixing a Hole-Got to Get You Into My Life-Norwegian Wood-And Your Bird Can Sng

[raccoon]

89. "And I Love Her" and "I Call Your Name" would be among them.

But I couldn’t pick just one favorite.

[Rustynaerduwell]

90. When I'm listening to it

"Two Of Us" is my favorite Beatles song.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

91. I note that, with the exception of Imagine, these are "Blue Album" songs

No red album: no ""Hard Days Night", "Help", or "Paperback Writer"

[Bfd]

93. All My Loving

I chose this song because of the words
For those wives & husbands left behind as their spouses were sent to war.

"Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you

I'll pretend that I'm kissing
The lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you

All my loving, I will send to you
All my loving, darling I'll be true

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true"

[gopiscrap]

98. welcome to DU

[Bfd]

99. Thank you & good morning !

Its an interesting place to visit

[Generic Brad]

95. I can't choose a favorite

It's like asking which hair on your head you like the most.

[red dog 1]

114. I know what you mean

That's why I phrased the thread title: "Do you have a favorite Beatles song?" and not
"What's your favorite Beatles song?"

My favorite changes from day to day, but I especially love:
- A Day in the Life
- When I'm 64
- Here Comes the Sun
- Maxwell's Hammer

(I could go on)


It's like asking, "What's your favorite Bob Dylan song?"

[milestogo]

97. In My Life

[melman]

100. You Won't See Me

[democratisphere]

101. Imagine.......

just for a moment, if.

[malchickiwick]

102. How is Tomorrow Never Knows not on the list???

[red dog 1]

110. The Beatles recorded more than 200 songs, but I only get to list 10 poll choices

Tomorrow Never Knows is a good song, though.

[malchickiwick]

112. Sorry. I should have said "thread" not "list"

I was shocked that in 100 or so comments nobody had yet mentioned TNK ... I totally understand you only have 10 slots in the poll, and I thank you for posting it. Fun to read all the comments.

[red dog 1]

113. See reply # 109

[woodsprite]

103. Norwegian Wood n/t

[Solly Mack]

105. Dear Prudence

Oh, bite me. I love this song.

[kentuck]

106. Why Don't We Do It In The Road

[MrScorpio]

109. Tomorrow Never Knows

[red dog 1]

111. Maxwell's Silver Hammer

[ooky]

115. The Long and Winding Road