10 Hard Rock Songs By The Beatles

While combing through the front half of The White Album, any Beatles fan knew that the band was up to new and exciting ventures. After closing with the gorgeous Lennon ballad "Julia," the second disc starts with one of the band's most playful feats of hard rock.

Stemming from an unbeatable blues lick, McCartney decided to base the lyrics around a birthday party as a present for his wife Linda whose birthday was coming up. From the opening notes, the song absolutely surges with energy as the drums work in lock step with the syncopated guitar figure. After laying down the basic track for the tune, the band took a break from recording to go home and watch the rock and roll movie The Girl Can't Help It featuring Little Richard.

Immediately inspired by their hero's visceral screaming, the band returned to the studio with a renewed energy as McCartney knocked out one of his most off-the-wall vocal performances on the record. The band were having such a good time that they even invited visitors Yoko Ono and Patti Harrison to join in on backing vocals. Though it is widely believed that the band were having creative clashes at the time, "Birthday" is a wonderfully light-hearted slice of hard rock fun.