The Beatles: Their Top 40 Tracks

34. Hey Jude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDdI7GhZSQA Writer: Lennon-McCartney (McCartney) Album: Single Clocking in at just over 7 minutes, 'Hey Jude' is the longest song on this list, and probably the most iconic. It's difficult to find someone who isn't familiar the famous 'Naaa na na na na na naaaa' outro. Written by McCartney for Lennon's song Julian during his parent's divorce, the song was an instant hit on both sides of the Atlantic, and still attracts sing-a-longs to this day. McCartney notably performed the song at the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, coming up a little too early before the backing track, and lead the crowd in a rendition of the song when visiting the Velodrome during the games, proving that this song's legacy lives on, 45 years after its original release.

33. Lovely Rita

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InNS281nfo4 Writer: Lennon-McCartney (McCartney) Album: 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' A largely overlooked track from 'Sgt. Peppers...', although I feel so much better than the likes of 'When I'm Sixty-Four' and 'A Little Help From My Friends', 'Lovely Rita' is a combination of Beatles' traits. Featuring the classic Beatles backing vocals similar to that of their earlier pop songs, along with the subject matter, a familiar love song with slight twist, echoing the surreal nature of later Beatles' works. Combine all this with the piano and acoustic guitar based melodies and you have 'Lovely Rita'. What with all these ties to the band's history, it's a pity the song is so often passed by.

32. Tomorrow Never Knows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xL1ffMlzKY Writer: Lennon-McCartney (Lennon) Album: 'Revolver' 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was one of The Beatles first and most notable steps into the world of psychedelic music. The Indian inspiration is very clear as Harrison plays sitar over McCartney and Starr's almost looped bass/drum constant rhythms. The track also notes the use of sped up and reversed tapes, adding to the psychedelic feel of the song. All in all it's pretty clear that Lennon was LSD when he came up with the idea for this song, but boy was it worth it.