I’ve found that trying to create a list of the greatest Beatles songs of all time is an impossible task for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are simply way too many amazing songs to try to put the best in order. I could pick 10 or 20 of my favorite Beatles songs (with difficulty), but putting them in order would be impossible. Secondly, part of what makes the Beatles great is their ability to cover a wide variety of sounds to the extent that picking favorite songs can only accurately be accomplished by album. Alas, this list has been made before, many, many, times. Instead, I’ve decided to make a list comprised of one song from each album that I find to be underrated. There are millions of music lovers who consider themselves “Beatles fans”, but far fewer who really understand the Beatles. Many listen to the same few songs over and over again. The Beatles composed hundreds of songs, thus leaving fans with an overwhelming list to choose from. I hope this list will help those who love the Beatles and could use some pointers in the right direction of some new songs to listen to. This list has one underrated song (in my honest opinion) from each Beatle album written down in chronological order from when the album was released. This list is long, and composed in the extreme boredom of my last few days of Winter break so feel free to skim it, skip around, or peruse it if you are very interested. I encourage you to agree and disagree with me as necessary.

Please Please Me (1963): “Do You Want to Know a Secret” – This song, sung by George Harrison and written by Lennon/McCartney, is a one of the softer tracks on the Beatles’ debut album. Harrison’s smooth vocals and calming guitar playing, coupled with relaxing background vocals from Lennon/McCartney make for a delightful, yet usually overlooked Beatles song.

With the Beatles (1963): “Hold Me Tight” – This song was originally recorded several months earlier for Please Please Me, but didn’t quite make the cut and is 0ften referred to as the weakest track on the album. However, it is quintessential early Beatles, even if Paul’s vocals occasionally fall out of tune. Claps pervade throughout the song and the occasional integration of joint vocals between Paul, George, and John typify the Beatles’ ability to effectively amalgamate vocals. A simple call and response style is also used in this catchy and very underrated track.

A Hard Day’s Night (1964): “I Should Have Known Better” – This album is considerably strong from start to finish, a not uncommon problem I’ve encountered while creating this list. However, this song is sometimes overlooked in the midst of songs like “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”. However, it is one of few Beatles songs to feature a harmonica, and is beautiful in its simplicity. Paul’s subtle bass line and George’s brief, albeit well structured guitar solo are carefully strung together with Lennon’s double-tracked vocals. A true Beatles classic.

Beatles for Sale (1964): “I’ll Follow The Sun” - In my opinion, this entire album is underrated in the grander scheme of Beatles music. However, “I’ll Follow the Sun” is without a doubt the most beautiful track on the album, and is representative of the band’s shift towards a more mature musical style. Clocking in at just under two minutes in length, it exemplifies another quality of many Beatles songs that makes the band so exceptional: its ability to create outstanding songs in such a short time, usually complete with bridges, guitar solos, and a clear chorus. All of these elements are evident in what I believe to be one of Paul’s strongest vocal performances to this point in the Beatles’ career.

Help! (1965): “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl” – This relatively soft, yet catchy Lennon masterpiece fits perfectly into the more melancholy message that this album emanates. With a subtle piano and bongos complimenting strong vocals by Lennon, this song is definitely above average in its catchiness. George’s guitar solo caps off this piece as my choice for the most underrated song on Help!

Revolver (1966): “And Your Bird Can Sing” – Revolver, like Sgt. Peppers and Abbey Road, is arguably the greatest Beatles album of all time, and one the greatest rock albums of all time. It is nearly perfect from Harrison’s opening song “Taxman” to Lennon’s masterpiece finale “Tomorrow Never Knows”. There is hardly a song that is “underrated”, but for the sake of this list, “And Your Bird Can Sing” is my choice. Its strongest component is the sensational guitar strumming and soloing doubled up by McCartney and Harrison. The esoteric and ambiguous lyrics are classic Beatles, though the track has been referred to by its creator and singer, John Lennon, as “another of my throwaways…fancy paper around an empty box.” As the old idiom goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967): “Within You Without You” - Another album devoid of a truly “underrated” track, but this song is Harrison’s only lead vocal appearance on the album and is usually a track that fans love or hate. Inspired by Harrison’s interest in Indian classical music, this song is definitely the least like any other on the outstanding concept album. Instruments including, but not limited to, a tambura, sitar, and dilruba (an Indian string instrument) were used in the recording of this trippy, mystical piece. Some may find this song detracts from the upbeat and jovial nature of Sgt. Peppers, but I find it to be a refreshing break from the otherwise quirky, albeit fantastic tracks.

Magical Mystery Tour (1967): “Your Mother Should Know” – This song is the fifth on the Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack for the movie of the same name. “Your Mother Should Know” is fairly simple, with McCartney on lead vocals, piano, and bass, and Lennon and Harrison backing his vocals. It is danceable; while at the same time radiates a sorrowed tone. It is definitely one of the more catchy tunes on the album, and features a seldom-used piano. It may not be as extravagant as the song that follows it, “I Am the Walrus”, but its short, sweet, and a definite strongpoint of the album.

The Beatles (aka White Album) (1968): “I’m So Tired” – This album was at one point intended to be broken up into two separate albums, or compressed into one smaller album. However, it was left as is, with 30 tracks spanning two full discs. Picking one underrated from a 30-song album is no easy task, but at the end of the day, “I’m So Tired” stands out as my favorite underrated track. This song is another of Lennon’s sleep-centered pieces, and is, in my opinion, close to a perfect song. However, when surrounded by fan favorites such as “Blackbird”, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, it is usually not given the credit it deserves. This song features Lennon on vocals and begins slow, only to pick up and revert back to his soothing voice. This song captures an almost visceral feeling of tiredness and its not coincidental that Lennon wrote it at three in the morning.

Yellow Submarine (1969): “Hey Bulldog” – This album accompanied the movie of the same title, which was released earlier in the year. It is usually referred to as one of the Beatles’ weaker albums, though it features songs that would easily be the best if part of other bands’ repertoire (such as “All You Need is Love” and “All Together Now”). Besides real, hardcore Beatles fans, I presume few average fans have even heard of, let alone listened to “Hey Bulldog”.  This assertion is largely based on my personal experience with it and friends who love the Beatles, but are not familiar with this track. It is unique in the fact that it is one of few Beatles songs to feature heavy piano, as well as an exceptional bass presence. Mostly written by Lennon, McCartney contributed to the piece as well, most notably with his barking sound effects towards the end of the song. Lennon displays raspier and raw, but nonetheless brilliant vocals during the song’s memorable chorus. A rocky, metallic guitar solo splits the first and second verse in this indelible Beatles tune.

Abbey Road (1969): “Golden Slumbers” – This will be one of the more controversial songs on my underrated list, but its Abbey Road, arguably the greatest album of all time, so picking an underrated song is near-impossible. I chose “Golden Slumbers” because in just a minute and a half this soporific number stirs my emotions more than almost any other track on the album. Its representative of serenity, the peace the Beatles promoted throughout their career. McCartney authored and sings the doubled-tracked vocals of this first part of Abbey Road’s climatic melody that leads directly into “Carry That Weight”. Many fans don’t realize that Abbey Road was in fact the band’s last studio effort, though it was released a year prior to Let It Be. This orchestral lullaby flaunts McCartney’s incredible vocal range and is a perfect lead into the concluding minutes of the album. Yet, due to its length and softness, can be overlooked to songs such as “Come Together”, “Here Comes the Sun”, and “Something”.

Let It Be (1970): “I’ve Got a Feeling” – A rule of thumb is that two songs are better than one, and it seems as if the Beatles discovered this as well. This song was originally two separate tracks: “I’ve Got a Feeling” by McCartney and “Everybody Had a Hard Year” by Lennon. However, as is the case in other songs (such as “A Day in the Life”) the songs were melded together into one coherent track. Lennon and McCartney often sing in harmony, but intertwining the songs rendered a brilliant result. McCartney’s deep vocals and Lennon’s repetition of starting lines with the word “everybody” creates an optimistic vibe, setting it apart from the otherwise somber album. A song that will undoubtedly remain in the shadows of other album tracks such as “Get Back” and “Across the Universe” for eternity, but it remains one of my favorite songs from the Fab Four.