Twelves Part Three – The Beatles



Anyone who knows me will have seen this post coming, possibly for years. I would say that what I don’t know about the Beatles isn’t worth knowing, but in fact I already know quite a few things that aren’t worth knowing.

I spent a lot of time as a teenager listening to records. I spent a lot of time in second hand record shops in the hope that some idiot would have placed a Butcher Cover on sale for under ten dollars.

So it should come as no surprise that this is the list of twelve that has been given the most careful consideration and thought. I’ve been through a lot of drafts and worried about things I have no business worrying about: should I include more early Fabs?, is there too much Lennon?, too much White Album?, have I got enough light and shade?, is it too obscure at the expense of deserved classics? should I include covers?

The last question was a curly one and much of the reason this list starts at 1965, but I really couldn’t justify Kansas City or even Twist and Shout, not at the expense of Blackbird or Helter Skelter.

It’s my problem. I’ll deal with it.

Anyway, here’s the list.

• I’m Down
• Taxman
• A Day In The Life
• I Am The Walrus
• Strawberry Fields Forever
• Happiness Is A Warm Gun
• Blackbird
• Helter Skelter
• Hey Bulldog
• Don’t Let Me Down
• Come Together
• You Never Give Me Your Money

Anything unexpected in there? Too many B-sides? Anything I must be a monster for having left out? Where’s Hey Jude? Who the hell includes You Never Give Me Your Money anyway? It didn’t even turn up on the 1967 – 1970, right? Well sod you. This was as good as I could get it. And number thirteen was probably Why Don’t We Do It In The Road.



2 Responses to “Twelves Part Three – The Beatles”

1. Monique says:

   27 July, 2009 at 6:08 pm

   I’ll be the one to say it “Where is Hey Jude?”, as you asked someone to. That would have to be on my list…possibly at the top. That’s what makes these lists so interesting.
2. The Author says:

   27 July, 2009 at 7:49 pm

   I’m not about to deny Hey Jude. The song is monumental. It should be there. But then what does it replace? I’m Down? Hey Bulldog? I dont think so.