Beatles Greatest Hits
Posted on Monday, December 26th, 2005 at 8:54 am
An Overview of the Beatles 13 Albums
The Beatles released 13 official studio albums from 1963 to 1970. What follows is a short “review” of each of these 13 albums. In my view as a true Beatles fanatic every single on of these albums should be a part of your collection eventually. But there are definitely some albums that are more essential than others.
Please Please Me (1963) – The Beatles very first album has some great songs on it including the title track, the opening track “I Her Standing There,” and the great cover “Twist & Shout” but it also has a much higher percentage of clunkers than most Beatles albums. In fact I’d say at least half of this album just isn’t that good. It’s interesting from an historical stand point and sometimes it can even be quite enjoyable to listen to, but I’d probably make it one of my last albums if I were just getting into The Beatles.
With The Beatles (1963) – The Beatles second album includes a few nice songs but it’s largely quite forgettable due to the large amount of covers.
A Hard Day’s Night (1964) – The Beatles third album is when they really started to come into their own. While their first two albums only included 8 originals each, A Hard Day’s Night is nothing but Lennon/McCartney originals. It includes some of The Beatles very best early pop & rock n roll music. If you find yourself more drawn to their early pop songs then this may be a great album to get started with.
Beatles For Sale (1964) – I do think this album is somewhat underrated but it is definitely a step backwards from A Hard Day’s Night. It includes 6 mostly forgettable covers. But the originals are quite nice. “I’m a Loser” & “Every Little Thing” are among the highlights.
Help! (1965) – This was another step forward. It included some of The Beatles biggest hit songs including the title track “Help!” and the legendary ballad “Yesterday.” “Ticket to Ride,” “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” and “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” are also among the album’s highlights. It’s a great album with a couple of miss steps (“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” and “Act Naturally” are both awful covers that shouldn’t have been included on the album.)
Rubber Soul (1965) – A huge step forward. Includes the first use of a sitar on a western pop record on “Norwegian Wood” which may be favorite song on the album. Rubber Soul includes many of The Beatles greatest songs like “Nowhere Man,” “In My Life,” “Girl,” “Michelle,” and “I’m Looking Through You.”
Revolver (1966) – Again with the step forward. The Beatles were progressing at an unbelievable rate during these years. From “I Want To Hold Your Hand” to “Tomorrow Never Knows” in 2 years? Are you kidding me? Absolutely mind blowing. One of The Beatles greatest albums. There are no weak songs. Many consider it to be The Beatles very best album.
Sgt. Pepper (1967) – It’s become somewhat hip to say that Sgt. Pepper is overrated. But it’s not. It’s a truly incredible album. I find every single song on this album to be a thoroughly enjoyable listen. They are all essential in my view. Includes the absolute greatest album closer of all time, “A Day in the Life.”
Magical Mystery Tour (1967) – This was The Beatles at their most purposefully “psychedelic.” To me that’s a good thing. It includes some of The Beatles most incredible psychedelic masterpieces “I Am The Walrus” & “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
The White Album (1968) – My favorite Beatles album. That being said, it’s probably not a good one to get started with. It’s probably too sprawling for a first time listener. It’s not as consistent as Sgt. Pepper or Revolver but for me it’s even more endlessly interesting. There’s so many different styles of music on this album and to my ears they are all done perfectly.
Yellow Submarine (1969) – Probably The Beatles least essential album as it includes only four songs that are not heard elsewhere. But of those four songs two are really great “Hey Bulldog” and particularly the very underrated “It’s All Too Much.” I actually recommend getting the 1999 Yellow Submarine Songtrack instead as it replaces the rather boring incidental “film music” that makes up much of the Yellow Submarine album with remixed, remastered versions of many of The Beatles greatest hits.
Abbey Road (1969) – Possibly The Beatles most “modern” sounding album as it was actually the final album they recorded and the only one they recorded on the then new 8 track recording machine at Abbey Road studios. Includes the amazing second side suite and some of their most well known songs like “Here Comes The Sun,” “Something,” and “Come Together.” Probably a pretty good first album to get if you are new to The Beatles.
Let It Be (1970) – Let It Be was actually recorded prior to Abbey Road but had been shelved do to The Beatles being unhappy with the recordings. While it’s often seen as somewhat of a disappointment compared to The Beatles other incredible albums that’s really quite ridiculous when you look at the track listing and see that it includes absolutely killer songs like “Let It Be,” “Get Back,” “I’ve Got A Feeling,” “Across The Universe,” & “Two of Us.” Let It Be has a more funky laid back feeling than any other Beatles album. Let It Be… Naked probably has a better track listing but I think they “cleaned up” the sound too much, the original’s “fuzzy” sound was part of it’s charm and fit the songs better.
About the Author
Marvin J. Markus thinks you should download Pure Pitch Method Ear Training and Singorama Singing Lessons. Ear training and singing lessons will improve your singing (of course) and your overall musicianship.
|
|
Beatles 8 Track – “Master Tapes” Their Greatest Hits $1,500.00 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 17 Greatest Hits MALAYSIA ORG LP Unique $300.00 |
|
|
The Beatles 20 Greatest Hits Platinum Record Award Non RIAA Capitol Records $159.99 |
|
|
BEATLES GREATEST HITS UNIQUE COLOUR COVER TURKISH PRS LP MADE IN TURKEY $125.00 |
|
|
THE BEATLES -greatest hits TURKISH LP UNIQUE RARE $120.00 |
|
|
The Beatles Poster Greatest Hits $99.99 |
|
|
PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGS Greatest Hits URUGUAY EMI RED COVER beatles PROMO! $90.00 |
|
|
BEATLES denmark LP GOLDEN GREATEST HITS Rock WITH ORIGINAL INNER SLEEVE PARLOPHO $84.00 |
|
|
The Beatles Collection 5 Disc Set 75 Greatest Hits Sound Choice Karaoke CD+G $83.59 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 20 GREATEST HITS JOHN LENNON RINGO STARR PORTRAIT ISRAEL ISRAELI LP $79.99 |
|
|
(Beatles) Santo & Johnny-SCALP-1017-Greatest Hits SS $75.00 |
|
|
THE BEATLES GREATEST HITS RARE ASIAN IMPORT BOXED SET $75.00 |
|
|
BEATLES LP PS Golden Greatest Hits Denmark Bookclub MINT – Danish edition PRESS $71.13 |
|
|
Beatles 34 All Time Greatest Hits Cassette With Special Cover Royal / Billboard $71.99 |
|
|
BEATLES Greatest Hits Vol 1 LP Unique AUSTRALIAN Issue SILVER/BLACK $71.99 |
|
|
BEATLES Greatest Hits Vol 1 LP Unique AUSTRALIAN Issue ORANGE/BLACK Label $69.99 |
|
|
SANTO & JOHNNY beatles greatest hits LP SCALP 1017 1964 $60.00 |
|
|
Bealtes – The Beatles 20 Exitos De Oro (Greatest Hits) Spain Album $58.49 |
|
|
The BEATLES -Double album 1962-1966 GREATEST HITS RED VINYL PLAYS MINT. $52.15 |
|
|
SANTO & JOHNNY: The Beatles Greatest Hits (vinyl LP) $50.00 |
|
|
The Beatles Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Parlophone PCSO 7534 Australia NM+ $50.00 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 20 GREATEST HITS RARE Vinyl LP BOLIVIA EDITION $50.00 |
|
|
BEATLES GREATEST HITS CD 62-66 & 67 -70 2 DISC EACH NEW $49.99 |
|
|
The Beatles – 1962 – 1966 Greatest Hits Red Sealed lp $49.99 |
|
|
Twenty Greatest Hits: The Beatles (1982) $49.88 |
|
|
Beatles 20 Greatest Hits Koresa Cassette RARE $49.49 |
|
|
The BEATLES -Double album 1962-1966 greatest hits RED VINYL PLAYS near MINT. $47.41 |
|
|
The Beatles 20 Greatest Hits LP A++ Capitol SV-12245 NM $42.88 |
|
|
WINGS GREATEST HITS LP UK RARE WHITE LABEL RELEASE Beatles Paul McCartney SUPERB $42.68 |
|
|
THE BEATLES GREATEST HITS volume 1 cassette MALAYSIA $40.00 |
|
|
Beatles 20 Greatest Hits Poster-Capitol Records 1982 $39.99 |
|
|
WINGS-GREATEST HITS-JAPAN ISSUE +OBI BEATLES $39.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Japan Only SEALED MINT CD GREATEST HITS VOLUME 10 (1966-1967) $39.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Japan Only SEALED MINT CD GREATEST HITS VOLUME 8 (1965) $39.99 |
|
|
PAUL McCARTNEY 4CD 2DigiPak Greatest Hits Vol.1&2 Collectors BEATLES Sealed NEW $39.98 |
|
|
The Beatles(Vinyl LP)Golden Greatest Hits-Scandanavia-3 $39.52 |
|
|
THE BEATLES/ GEORGE HARRISON/ PAUL McCARTNEY/ JOHN LENNON -GREATEST HITS—6 CDS $38.99 |
|
|
COVERBEATS – BEATLES GREATEST HITS (COVER) [CD NEW] $37.56 |
|
|
The Coverbeats The Beatles Greatest Hits CD $36.10 |
|
|
John Lennon BEATLES Collection Contians 17 Greatest Hits USA Cassette 1980 $35.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 20 GREATEST HITS ORIGINAL CASSETTE $35.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES :: Greatest Hits :: Part 1 and Part 2 :: 4 CD :: DigiPak Brand New $35.79 |
|
|
Capitol Records The Beatles Twenty Greatest Hits Purple Label SV-12245 *15 $35.00 |
|
|
BEATLES GREATEST HITS PLAYED BY SANTO & JOHNNY LP RARE $34.99 |
|
|
the Beatles 1962-1966 Double LP greatest hits best of 62-66 Red Apple SKBO-3403 $34.97 |
|
|
1967 MRS MILLER GREATEST HITS MONO LP SHAGGS DR DEMENTO BEATLES NANCY SINATRA $34.00 |
|
|
Greatest Hits #1___Beatles cover__CGC 9.8 $33.29 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Greatest Hits Part 1 1962-1965 2CD SET/ Part 2 1966-1970 2CD SET $32.99 |
|
|
Scarce LP The Beatles on Odeon Beatles’ Greatest Hits $32.99 |
|
|
The Beatles 20 Greatest Hits Lp Vinyl Record US EDITION $29.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 20 GREATEST HITS LP MINT SEALED $29.99 |
|
|
â–²BOLâ–² BEATLES 20 Greatest Hits Japan Odeon Stereo Toshiba LP EAS obi $29.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Japan Only SEALED MINT CD GREATEST HITS VOLUME 1 (1962-1963) $29.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Japan Only SEALED MINT CD GREATEST HITS VOLUME 2 (1963) $29.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Japan Only SEALED MINT CD GREATEST HITS VOLUME 4 (1964) $29.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Japan Only SEALED MINT CD GREATEST HITS VOLUME 5 (1964) $29.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES Japan Only SEALED MINT CD GREATEST HITS VOLUME 9 (1966) $29.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES – Greatest Hits vol.1, 2. 1962-1970. 4 CDs Digipack $29.99 |
|
|
Beatles Greatest Hits Vol 1 EMI Music Cassette Tape $29.58 |
|
|
33 LP Record Album Beatles Greatest new Hits $25.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES ~ 20 Greatest Hits ~ Rare and NM ~ Beautiful $25.77 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 20 Greatest Hits EMI 1092 MEXICAN LP EX/EX $25.00 |
|
|
The Beatles 20 Greatest Hits Lp Vinyl Record US EDITION $24.99 |
|
|
BEATLES 20 Greatest Hits LP Sealed KOREA 1st ORIG. Rare Top Collection $24.99 |
|
|
Past Masters, Vol. 2 by Beatles (The) & Greatest Hits [Geffen] by Who (The) $24.99 |
|
|
The Beatles – 20 Greatest Hits VG++ LP $24.99 |
|
|
The Beatles Best Greatest Hits Volume 1 CD Japanese Obi $24.99 |
|
|
The Beatles Best Greatest Hits Volume 2 CD Japanese Obi $24.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES -GOLDEN GREATEST HITS- RARE GERMAN CLUB LP $24.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 1982 20 GREATEST HITS 1987 PRESSING UK RENTING LABEL $23.69 |
|
|
THE BEATLES best the beatles greatest hits volume:4 1964 JAPAN CD $22.99 |
|
|
BEATLES 20 greatest hits LP NM/VG++ 1982 uk emi parlophone PCTC 260 $22.99 |
|
|
BEATLES 20 greatest hits LP PS EX/EX uk emi parlophone PCTC 260 $21.50 |
|
|
SANDRA – GREATEST HITS – CD ALBUM BEATLES NEW $20.69 |
|
|
Gary Smart & Friends CD Beatle Jazz Instrumental Stylings Beatles Greatest Hits $20.00 |
|
|
Beatles Promo Bag Toshiba EMI Records Greatest Hits/Bea $20.00 |
|
|
SERGIO MENDES & BRASIL 66 – Greatest Hits LP Israel Israeli press beatles cover $19.99 |
|
|
The Beatles 20 Greatest Hits UK VERSION $19.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES ” greatest hits ” INDONESIA TAPE thomsun original WITH TABLATURES $19.99 |
|
|
BEATLES-WINGS GREATEST HITS ‘77 RARE POSTER-SIZE ADVERT $19.99 |
|
|
Best The Beatles:Greatest Hits Vol11 (1967) CD Japan $19.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES RARE “GOLD” GREATEST HITS by PLATINUM STRINGS ORCHESTRA NEW SEALED $19.99 |
|
|
BEATLES THE BEATLES GREATEST HITS VOL1 MADE IN JAPAN CD $19.99 |
|
|
The Beatles – 20 Greatest Hits – Capitol – SV-12245 – VG+ – VG++ – LP $19.99 |
|
|
The Beatles One1 Cassette Seal OOP 27 Greatest Hits $19.99 |
|
|
Beatles the Beatles 20 Greatest Hits $19.98 |
|
|
Beatles Greatest Hits Easy Piano By Beatles (CRT) $19.77 |
|
|
The Beatles Love CD NEW greatest hits Lennon Harrison $19.68 |
|
|
BEATLES THE BEATLES GREATEST HITS VOL4 MADE IN JAPAN CD $19.00 |
|
|
Beatles Greatest Hits Easy Piano Book $18.99 |
|
|
THE BEATLES 20 GREATEST HITS ULTRA RARE UK CASSETTE TAPE! $18.74 |
|
|
THE BEATLES – 1967-1970 GREATEST HITS Guitar Recorded Version GUITAR BOOK TAB $18.95 |
|
|
THE BEATLES.20 GREATEST HITS.1982 EMI/ODEON.GERMANY.MINT LP $18.95 |
|
|
GEORGE HARRISON Greatest Hits 2CD Digipak Collectors BOX Best BEATLES Sealed new $18.95 |
|
|
The Beatles: 20 Greatest Hits Piano/Vocal Edition NEW $18.89 |
|
|
The Beatles Greatest Hits for Harmonica by Eric J. Plahna NEW $18.18 |
|
|
PAUL MCCARTNEY Greatest Hits Vol.1 2CD DigiPak Collectors BOX WINGS BEATLES Seal $18.45 |
|
|
PAUL MCCARTNEY Greatest Hits Vol.1 2CD DigiPak Collectors BOX WINGS BEATLES Seal $18.45 |
|
|
PAUL MCCARTNEY Greatest Hits Vol.2 2CD DigiPak Collectors BOX WINGS BEATLES Seal $18.45 |
|
|
BEATLES 20 GREATEST HITS LP PERU $18.00 |
|
|
The Beatles Full Metal Abbey Road Lunch Box (No Thermos) CD LP $99.95 Colored Raised Embossed Metal… |
|
|
The Beatles Full Size Metal Hard Days Night Lunch Box (No Thermos) CD LP $79.95 Colored Raised Embossed Metal… |
|
|
The Beatles Full Size Metal Help! Lunch Box (No Thermos) $32.95 … |
|
|
6 Ed Sullivan Shows Starring The Rolling Stones / [2 DVD] $29.42 Talk about a “really big shoo”! This two-disc set features every appearance made by The Rolling Stones on six complete broadcasts of “The Ed Sullivan Show” that got viewers excited about the band’s latest and greatest hits. Spanning the years 1964-69, the collection includes 17 unforgettable performances, including “Time Is On My Side,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Honky Tonk Women,” and more, plus guest spo… |
|
|
Ed Sullivan’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Classics Boxed Set $169.95 With a total of 144 songs (including repeats) and well over 500 minutes of playing time, this massive boxed set, whose nine discs each contain between 12 and 19 performances, truly is, as host Ed Sullivan famously said, “a really big show.” With some 20 songs between them, the two most important rock acts of the 20th century, Elvis Presley and the Beatles, both of whom received huge career boosts … |
|
|
The Beatles: A Hard Day’s Night [Blu-ray] $29.99 Available for the first time on Blu-ray, A Hard Day’s Night includes new footage, enhanced picture, digitally restored soundtrack, and a 12 page collectible photo insert. Special features includes hours of rare and new material. Video is in 1080i 16×9 high definition with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 5.1 Dolby Digital audio. Amazon.com essential video The Fab Four from Liverpool–John Lennon, Paul … |
|
|
Beatles Group Playing Cards $2.01 (3×4) The Beatles Music Playing Cards… |