Regarded as the most groundbreaking band in music history, The Beatles transformed the landscape of pop music during the 1960s. This iconic English rock ensemble, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, played a pivotal role in elevating pop music to unprecedented heights.
Nurtured by their dedicated followers, often referred to as the Fab Four, the band accomplished immense critical and commercial triumph with hits like Love Me Do, Here Comes The Sun, and Come Together. With an astounding record sales totaling around 600 million, The Beatles hold the title for the highest-selling music act of all time.
Their remarkable achievements extend to possessing the most number-one albums on the UK Albums Chart and holding 20 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. In this article, we delve into their most streamed tracks to date.
Disclaimer: The rankings in this article reflect Spotify stream counts as of the time of composition.
Top Beatles Tracks: Here Comes The Sun, Come Together, and 5 More Songs to Enjoy in 2024
1) Here Comes The Sun (1,441,032,847 Spotify streams)
Debuting on September 26, 1969, Here Comes The Sun is a standout track from The Beatles’ celebrated album, Abbey Road. The song was crafted by the group’s lead guitarist, George Harrison.
This uplifting anthem symbolizes hope and renewal after hardship, encapsulating feelings of optimism and joy.
The opening lines beautifully express this sentiment:
“Little darling/ It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter/ Little darling/ It feels like years since it’s been here”
With over 1.8 million units sold, the track is recognized with a three-time platinum certification from the RIAA.
2) Come Together (779,109,644 Spotify streams)
Released on October 6, 1969, this blues-rock number serves as the opening track for Abbey Road. Credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, the song is said to depict band members and ultimately, Lennon himself.
The second verse illustrates the song’s unique narrative:
“He wear no shoeshine, he got toe-jam football/ He got monkey finger, he shoot Coca-Cola/ He say, ‘I know you, you know me’/ One thing I can tell you is you got to be free”
Commercially, Come Together flourished, remaining on the Billboard Hot 100 for sixteen weeks.
3) Let It Be (734,070,205 Spotify streams)
Unveiled on March 6, 1970, Let It Be emerged as a significant track from The Beatles’ last studio album bearing the same title. John Lennon and Paul McCartney share songwriting credits.
The poignant piano-driven ballad features distinctive guitar solos that enhance its emotional depth. Inspired by Paul McCartney’s late mother, who passed when he was just 14, the song communicates themes of hope during hardship.
Key lyrics include:
“When I find myself in times of trouble/ Mother Mary comes to me/ Speaking words of wisdom/ Let it be”
This timeless classic has achieved over two million unit sales and boasts platinum certifications in the UK, Spain, and Italy.
4) Yesterday (698,626,619 Spotify streams)
Yesterday captures the sorrow of longing for closure following a breakup. The poignant bridge reflects this sentiment:
“Why she had to go/ I don’t know, she wouldn’t say/ I said something wrong/ Now I long for yesterday”
Penned by the talented Lennon-McCartney duo and launched on September 13, 1965, this anthem of heartache was honored with induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997.
5) Hey Jude (616,648,188 Spotify streams)
Released as a standalone single on August 26, 1968, Hey Jude was crafted primarily by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. At its peak in 1968, it held a record number-one run on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks.
This song was written to comfort John Lennon’s son, Julian, amid his parents’ divorce. The supportive bridge reassures Julian, urging him to maintain a positive outlook:
“And anytime you feel the pain, hey, Jude, refrain/ Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders/ For well you know that it’s a fool who plays it cool/ By making his world a little colder”
6) Twist and Shout (541,663,943 Spotify streams)
This rock and roll classic, originally created by Bert Berns and Phil Medley in 1961, was covered by The Beatles in March 1963. Their rendition not only reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 but also became the band’s first cover to sell millions in the U.S.
Twist and Shout radiates a contagious energy, encouraging expressions of love through dance, as highlighted in these lyrics:
“Baby, now (Shake it up, baby)/ Twist and shout (Twist and shout)/ C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, baby, now (Come on, baby)/ Come on and work it on out (Work it on out)”
7) Blackbird (507,657,809 Spotify streams)
Blackbird fuses folk storytelling with rock and roll’s engaging rhythms, offering a powerful narrative. Written by Paul McCartney and released on November 22, 1968, this song emerged from The Beatles’ self-titled album.
The song draws inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, addressing themes of racism and injustice in America.
A hopeful sentiment resonates through these lines:
“Blackbird singing in the dead of the night/ Take these sunken eyes and learn to see/ All your life, you were only waiting/ For this moment to be free”
With sales exceeding 600,000 units, Blackbird has achieved platinum certification in the UK.
Other notable tracks by The Beatles worth listening to include In My Life, I Want To Hold Your Hand, and Something.
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