The Beatles' Top Singles, 21-25
Here is the final set in our list of 25 of The Beatles' top singles, starting with "Hey Jude."21. "Hey Jude" (1968)
Even though the lyrics don't exactly make sense, even though the song in its original version is more than seven minutes long, and even though it's technically a song about divorce, the song is beloved by many people. Written by Paul for John's son Julian during his parents' divorce, "Hey Jude" stayed at number one on U.S. charts for nine weeks, a record for any Beatles song. Across the pond, the full-length version of the song peaked at number one for two weeks.
22. "Come Together" (1969)
Originally written for Timothy Leary's short-lived gubernatorial campaign, "Come Together" was released on the Abbey Road album in 1969. The song was also the subject of a lawsuit by Chuck Berry's music publisher, who claimed that a line from one of Berry's songs had been stolen for use in The Beatles' tune. The suit was settled out of court. The song reached number one in the States and number four in the U.K.
23. "Get Back" (1969)
The last song on the Let It Be album, this hard-driving rock tune tells the listener to "get back to where you once belonged." Since The Beatles did not release any more records together after Let It Be, this song was the end of the line, period. The single reached number one around the world and was the first Beatles' tune to credit a fifth musician, Billy Preston on keyboards.
24. "Let It Be" (1970)
The Let It Be album, released in 1970 shortly after the band officially broke up, was the Fab Four's swan song. This single was a huge hit around the world, reaching number one in America and number two in the U.K. Paul was inspired to write it following a dream he had of his mother (Mary), who died when he was 14. The song's theme of surrendering and letting go touched a chord with millions of fans. "Let It Be" is often played at funerals, due to its hopeful, farewell message.
25. "The Long and Winding Road" (1970)
This sad song about unrequited love, also released after The Beatles disbanded, would prove to be the group's last number-one song in the United States. Paul reportedly wrote the song during a time when tensions were mounting among the band members.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen
