If youâve ever wondered what are the best Beatles songs to start with, or if youâre searching for the best Beatles piano songs to add to your playlist, this list has something for everyone, whether youâre a lifelong fan or just beginning to explore their magic.
Letâs dive into the best Beatles songs that everyone should listen to…
Hey Jude
If weâre talking about the best Beatles piano songs, “Hey Jude” absolutely belongs at the top. Written by Paul McCartney to comfort John Lennonâs son, this song starts as a soft piano ballad and grows into a powerful anthem of hope. With its famous sing-along ending, “Hey Jude” is one of the Beatles’ best songs of all time and a live concert favorite.
Let It BeÂ
Another masterpiece on piano, “Let It Be” is one of the best Beatles songs that carries a simple but beautiful message sometimes, you just have to let things be. Paulâs calm vocals over gentle piano chords make this song feel like a comforting friend when life gets hard. It was one of the last songs the band released, making it even more emotional for fans.
Yesterday
“Yesterday” is one of the best Beatles songs if youâre into emotional, simple melodies. Paul McCartney sings about lost love with only an acoustic guitar and a soft string section behind him. It’s also one of the most covered songs in history, which says a lot about how deeply it connects with people.Â
I Want to Hold Your Hand
You canât talk about the best Beatles songs without mentioning the one that started it all in America. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” is pure energy, joy, and classic early Beatles. It’s catchy, fun, and brings you back to the height of Beatlemania. If you want to know why the world fell in love with them, this song explains it perfectly.
A Day In The Life
When you think of the Beatles’ best songs of all time, “A Day in the Life” always comes up. This song is a musical journey, blending John Lennonâs dreamy verses with Paulâs upbeat middle section. Add in the dramatic orchestra and youâve got one of the most creative and mind-blowing songs ever recorded.
Come Together
If youâre looking for cool, mysterious Beatles songs, “Come Together” is the one. With that famous bassline and John Lennonâs laid-back yet intense vocals, this song oozes style. Even though it’s not a piano song, its groove and vibe make it one of the Beatles’ best songs of all time and one that shows their experimental side.
Something
George Harrison wrote “Something,” and itâs hands down one of the most beautiful love songs ever. Heartfelt lyrics made even Frank Sinatra a fan, he once called it “the greatest love song of the past 50 years.” Itâs proof that George deserved a spot among the best Beatles songwriters.
Strawberry Fields Forever
“Strawberry Fields Forever” is a dreamy, psychedelic masterpiece. Inspired by John Lennonâs childhood, it takes you to a place thatâs both real and imaginary. If you want to hear the Beatles at their most experimental and creative, this is one of the best Beatles songs to experience that side of them.
Eleanor RigbyÂ
Want something deep and haunting? “Eleanor Rigby” is a sad story about loneliness, backed only by a string quartet with no guitars, no drums. Itâs totally different from what people expected from a rock band at the time, and that’s why itâs considered one of the best Beatles songs of all time.
While My Guitar Gently WeepsÂ
Another incredible George Harrison song, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is full of emotion. Featuring Eric Clapton on lead guitar, this song mixes sadness with bluesy rock, and itâs a must-listen if you want to hear George’s unique songwriting talent.
…more songs from Beatles
- Penny Lane
- Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
- Here Comes the Sun
- Blackbird
- In My Life
- Help!
- Ticket to Ride
- She Loves You
- All You Need Is Love
- Can’t Buy Me Love
- Eight Days a Week
- Twist and Shout
- Paperback Writer
- Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
- Get Back
- Revolution
- The Long and Winding Road
- Across the Universe
- Hello, Goodbye
- Nowhere Man
- With a Little Help from My Friends
- We Can Work It Out
- Sgt. Pepperâs Lonely Hearts Club Band
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- Lady Madonna
- Drive My Car
- I Am the Walrus
- Day Tripper
- Love Me Do
- Donât Let Me Down
- Got to Get You into My Life
- Magical Mystery Tour
- Rain
- The Fool on the Hill
- I’m Only Sleeping
- And I Love Her
- Michelle
- Youâve Got to Hide Your Love Away
- Yellow Submarine
- If I Fell
- Do You Want to Know a Secret
- Taxman
- Sheâs Leaving Home
- I Saw Her Standing There
- Back in the U.S.S.R.
- Baby, Youâre a Rich Man
- You Wonât See Me
- I Feel Fine
- Lovely Rita
- Rock and Roll Music
Each of these songs highlights a different side of The Beatles’ music, from gentle acoustic moments to energetic rock classics.
Why The Beatlesâ songs are the most covered ever
Most of you are familiar with the moving tune and words of the most covered Beatles song ever âYesterdayâ. Some of you may even have plans to watch the newly released movie of the same name. The movie features an alternate, and frankly unimaginable, timeline in which nobody but one man in the universe remembers any of The Beatlesâ songs. A knowledge that unsurprisingly makes him legendary.
But what makes The Beatlesâ songs so intriguing. And what made so many artists, from Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley to Aerosmith, Nina Simone and Linkin Park cover them? And why are famous musicians, as well as amateurs, all so inclined to try a hand at these beloved works? One answer is the variety in styles and sound the Beatles invented that is compatible with any audience may it be Rock, Pop, Classic or Country. The Beatles even invented a lot of genres themselves.
Depending on where you are in your musical journey, you may have produced your own Beatles covers, and if you havenât, you most likely will in the future. In case you need tangible proof, weâve drawn up four major reasons that we feel makes The Beatlesâ music so inspiring to artists at large.
The Beatles songsâ richness in harmony & chords
Within the first few notes of âYesterdayâ, a chord outside the boundaries of popular chord progressions was introduced. Especially considering that it was only the year 1965, the harmonies Paul McCartney (age 23! at the time) used when writing âYesterdayâ were absolutely unique.
John Lennonâs âStrawberry Fieldsâ or âI Am the Walrusâ sends you on a harmonic journey you will never forget. âPenny Laneâ, written by Paul, changes key 7 times. And the best⌠the way the Beatles composed their songs, the harmonic journey is so smooth, you donât even notice.
The famous opening-chord of âA Hard Dayâs Nightâ was a long time not analyzable, even by music theory experts. However, this chord draws you into the music straight away. Some harmonic journeys are so twisted that probably only Jazz harmony could compete. However still most songs (in difference to Jazz) made it into the top positions of the charts and hence are still very radio friendly.
Needless to say, covering Beatles Songs, is â if done well â almost a guarantee for any artist to get applause and recognition.
Diversity in instrumentation
Think of the songâs instrumental background. The Beatles were happily experimenting with tons of different instruments, from bass harmonica in âFor the Benefit Of Mr Kiteâ to sitar in âTomorrow Never Knowsâ. âYellow Submarineâ even offers a Brass Band in the middle of the song. Their creativity of using sound was simply inexhaustible.
Another example is the melody of the most covered song on earth. The Beatles chose to support the melody of âYesterdayâ with a string quartet as opposed to bass, drums & guitar. This novel decision to use a string quartet made the song reminiscent of classical music, in which such progressions are more commonly found. Because of this, listeners may be more primed to accept harmonies that are foreign to pop, but familiar within a classical setting.
Listen to any Beatles song, preferably from the era 1966-1969. Pick out the instruments they used in their songs. You will be surprised that some of them you will find challenging to name.
The melodies & arrangements in The Beatles’ songs
When a song comes on the radio and it’s by The Beatles, you can normally tell. But how is that the case when not all Beatles songs remotely sound the same? Find the answer when you listen to âHelpâ immediately after âYesterday.â
Their tempos and arrangements couldnât be any more different â âYesterdayâ is somber while âHelpâ is upbeat; âYesterdayâ features no rhythm instruments, while âHelpâ jumps in heavy with drums and guitars. This insight in particular is at the crux of what makes Beatles songs most suitable for covers. The strong melodies and chord progression used in their songs can be morphed into a completely different song by changing the supporting factors. What would âTomorrow Never Knowsâ sound like as a sensual ballad? What would âAcross The Universeâ become if you were to speed up the tempo and back it with a full orchestra? The possibilities are endless but all start with a strong melodic and harmonic foundation unique to The Beatles.
Learn the melody of a Beatles tune. When you play it by heart, try different tempos, or if you are more advanced, change the chords. I could well be, that you are the next one who creates a famous Beatles Cover.
The Beatles wrote universal words of encouragement & love
How many times has the stress of your daily existence forced you to find ways to calm down and âLet it Beâ? Some of The Beatlesâ most popular songs are meant to intimately advise their listeners and âHey Judeâ is one of the first of this variety that comes to mind.
âAll You Need Is Loveâ provides some iconic food for thought, when âThereâs Nothing You Can Do That Canât Be Doneâ.
The famous last words of The Beatles urge us to practice Peace and Love in the song âThe Endâ:Â âThe Love You Take Is Equal To the Love You Makeâ.
The words full of emotional depth and wisdom make it easy to identify with and hence to want to sing and cover their songs.
So step inside the âYellow Submarineâ, in which we would like to hide in âOctopusâs Gardenâ when you need some “Help“ from our friends.
Author of this blog post:
Susana PĂŠrez Posada
With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.
