A Musical Journey Through The Beatles Discography

Courtesy+of+Amazon.com

Courtesy of Amazon.com

From July 1959 to December 1970, for nearly a decade, four lads from Liverpool England played together in a rock band and took the world by storm, revolutionizing the music scene and inspiring musicians for the next 50 years. Together only a decade, The Beatles released 13 studio albums that left a massive impact on musicians and fans around the world . At the start of the decade their  albums were full of Pop rock glory, filled with happy songs and up-tempo guitar riffs. As the 60’s progressed and took hold of The Beatles, their sound evolved into more experimental, writing all there own songs and using new techniques in the studio, there sound grew up as they did.

I recently went on a musical journey of listening to all 13 albums in chronological order. It was very interesting listening to The Beatles sound change over the albums. I decided to choose my favorite song from each album and share it.

 

Please Please Me – March

1963

I Saw Her Standing There

This is one of my favorite Beatles songs, full of energy and impeccable guitar and base playing. This is the first song on there first album and I think it perfectly capture the early years of The Beatles.

 

With The Beatles – November 1963

I Wanna Be Your Man

This is another song the fits perfectly in the style The Beatles were trying to portray. This song is great because it is one of the rare songs that feature Ringo Starr as lead vocals, and I think he does wonderfully at it.

 

A Hard Days Night – July 1964

I Should Have Known Better

There first album with out a single cover song, it was hard to pick a favorite track. I love this song because it is one of my favorite scenes from the movie of A Hard Days Night and it shows The Beatles growing into writing more originals songs.

 

Beatles For Sale – December 1964

Eight Days A Weeks

This song is important because it is the first evidence of in studio experimentation with the fade in and fade out.

 

Help! – August 1965

I’ve Just Seen A Face

This has always been one of my all time favorite Beatles song. In it Paul sings about love at first sight and how he will never forget the girls face. This is also one of the only Beatles songs to not have a base track.

 

Rubber Soul – December 1965

Norwegian Wood (this Bird Has Flown)

With Rubber Soul you can hear the Beatles music changing. Norwegian Wood is one of the first popular songs to feature the Sitar, and Indian instrument: an instrument that would go on to influence many of The Beatles’ further recordings.

 

Revolver – August 1966

Got to Get You Back Into My Life

Simply a great rock song with Paul McCartney’s screeching vocals and a blaring horn section.

 

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – June 1967

A Day In The Life

This is where The Beatles truly had the opportunity to be free from trying to make songs that could be played live and focus on just making an album that sounds good. Free from the strains of life performances, The Beatles had time to experiment and create one of the best Rock albums of all time. One of the best examples of this is the final track “A Day in the Life”. This song swells up and down with orchestral accompaniment and a great example of Lennon and McCartney working together.

 

The Beatles (the White Album) – November 1968

Blackbird

On the Double LP that is the White Album there is many songs that are amazing its hard to pick one, but my favorite by far is Blackbird. Inspired by the civil rights movement in the United States, McCartney wrote a beautiful acoustic number saying to the black population of the US ,”You were only waiting for this moment to be free.”

 

Yellow Submarine – January 1969

Hey Bulldog

Released as a soundtrack to the movie of the same name, Yellow Submarine has only a few original songs, the best being Hey Bulldog, filled with pounding piano chords and Lennon and McCartney impassioned singing.

 

Abbey Road – September 1969

Here Comes The Sun

One of George Harrison’s most popular contributions, this song is a lovely result of waiting through an English winter waiting for the sun, as well as a break from continuing struggles within the band.

 

Let It Be – May 1970

Let It Be

The Beatles final studio album, recorded as the band was falling apart from the inside out. Let It Be is one of the best songs off this album, inspired by a dream McCartney had of his mother telling him that its okay  that  The Beatles are falling apart and to let it be.