The Beatles’ Failed Singles
When you think of The Beatles, you think of chart-topping songs: “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” “Love Me Do;” the list goes on and on. However, The Beatles did have singles that did not make it to Number one.
According to Mike Heatley, editor at Record Collector magazine, a lot of good music has been forgotten by the public. “It’s easy to forget that Lennon & McCartney didn’t have the Midas touch on all their songs; at times, the public could be fickle. Some of the Beatles’ top singles never achieved number one,” he says.
One of those singles is “I’m Down,” a b–side track from the album Help!, released in 1965. With its fast-paced drum solo and raw energy, driven mostly by rhythm-and-blues, “I’m Down” reached number two in the chart before losing its place to The Kinks’ “A Well Respected Man.”
Another missed single is “Wait,” which featured an early experiment with string instruments and reached number two on the chart in 1965. It is a much slower and ballad-like song than “I’m Down,” which could explain why the public was not so keen on it.
The last single to not reach number one was “Hey Jude” in 1968. According to Heatley, “Hey Jude” was a classic “catchy” song. Unfortunately, the single’s success was short-lived, being replaced at the top by “Love Is Blue” by Paul Mauriat.
This led the Beatles to take a new direction in 1969, releasing songs that sounded more contemporary than their earlier singles. “The Beatles took a bold step in inventing their own sound and style which eventually re-defined popular music and culture,” said Heatley.
The Albums
Despite not having as many number one singles as some of their contemporaries, the band still had some success with their albums. “The White Album” and “Abbey Road” are some of the band’s most successful releases. Although neither of these LPs had a number one single, they still saw commercial success.
The White Album was released in 1968 to mixed reviews from critics, with some claiming that it was “the sound of artist trying to rebuild.” Despite its experimental nature, it was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK album chart and selling over 8 million copies worldwide.
1973′s Abbey Road was the band’s last studio album. It was well received by fans and critics alike, and has since become a defining record in the Beatles’ catalog. According to Ken Kimmelman, music critic at Rolling Stone, “Abbey Road is one of the greatest albums ever made, and it topped the charts for 11 weeks.”
This classic album also spawned four top ten singles, including “Come Together” and “Something,” both of which reached number one on the US singles chart. Unfortunately, the Beatles never released another studio album, and the collective is now considered one of the most influential bands of all time.
The Legacy
Despite not having a lot of chart-topping singles, The Beatles left a huge legacy in the music world. Many of their songs and albums are still revered and enjoyed today. Heatley says, “The Beatles were one of the greatest bands ever and their influence on music is still felt today.”
In the decades since the band’s breakup, The Beatles have become widely cited by critics and fans as one of the best bands of all time. Their songs are timeless and are still heavily played on the radio, and their legacy will live on for many years to come.
Cultural Impact
The Beatles have had a huge cultural impact since their inception. From changing the way people think about popular music to influencing fashion, the band’s impact can still be seen today. As Heatley says, “The Beatles changed the way people looked at music, fashion, and culture in general. They were style icons and trendsetters, influencing generations of artists who followed in their footsteps.”
The Beatles also had a big influence on the British Invasion, a mid-60s rock and roll movement in the US spearheaded by the band. This movement saw a plethora of British artists gain success in the US, while also giving way to new musical genres such as glam rock and punk.
It is clear that The Beatles had a major impact on the culture of the time. As Ken Kimmelman puts it, “The Beatles’ influence can still be felt today in all aspects of music: from punk to hip-hop, the Beatles’ influence can be seen in almost every genre of modern music.”
Influence on Music Today
Today, The Beatles’ influence on music is still apparent, and their songs are still being sampled by artists from all different genres. From US rock band Phoenix to hip-hop mogul Kanye West, the band has made an impact on the music world.
According to Kimmelman, “The Beatles are a prime example of how powerful and influential a band can be. Their music has inspired and shaped many of the musicians and genres we see today.” While they may not have had as many chart-topping singles as some of their contemporaries, it is clear that The Beatles left an indelible mark on the music world.
The Beatles’ influence will carry on for generations to come. They have changed the way we view music and will continue to inspire new generations of musicians. Even though they had some singles that didn’t reach number one, The Beatles still remain one of the most iconic bands of all time.
