45: The Ballad of John and Yoko

Album: Past Masters, Volume II
Writer: Lennon
Singer: Lennon

Verdict: I don’t really care about John’s struggles with the media following his marriage to Yoko. But John drops some pretty awesome rhymes here. “Holland or France” with “Give us a chance,” and “Honeymooning down by the Seine,” with “You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain.” Plus it’s always fun to belt out, “Christ you know it ain’t easy!” 

44: Michelle

Album: Rubber Soul
Writer: Lennon/McCartney
Singer: McCartney

Verdict: Won the Grammy award for best song. I just love “Sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble, tres bien ensemble.”

43: Lady Madonna

Album: Past Masters, Volume II
Writer: McCartney
Singer: McCartney

Verdict: I’m not sure Paul’s voice is cut out for bluesy rocker, but the fast tempo makes up for it. John kills with the harmony here. “See how they run,” is fantastic.

42: I Saw Her Standing There

Album: Please Please Me
Writer: Lennon/McCartney
Singer: McCartney

Verdict: Now this is the song for me that “She Loves You” isn’t. The shouting of “One, two, three, four” starts things with a bang and then you have a pretty amazing opening lyric to an opening album in 1963. “Well she was just seventeen, you know what I mean” is fairly risque for the time, and pretty daring for a new band. Either way, Paul destroys it. If I’m in the car I have to check myself from speeding. I’d rank it higher, but George’s guitar work doesn’t add much and the ending chord is a letdown.

41: Come Together

Album: Abbey Road
Writer: Lennon
Singer: Lennon

Verdict: A complete nonsense song that John makes work with enthusiasm and a great guitar and piano. My favorite part is “He say, ‘One and one, and one is three.’
Got to be good-looking ’cause he’s so hard to see.” And the fade-out works well.