Verdict: Lennon cited this as the worst song in the entire Beatles catalog and regrets writing it. I can see why. It’s misogynistic and violent. So yeah. For me it’s so over-the-top it comes off more as an angry hyperbolic fantasy to blow off steam. The guitar work isn’t great either. There’s just something about desperation in John’s voice that draws me in. The way he sings, “Baby I’m determined…” just sends a cold one through me.
Album: Magical Mystery Tour Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: Such an evocative song, probably because it’s about a real place and about real things. Probably more than any other Beatles song I have a hard time describing what I love about it. It’s not Paul’s best voice work. And there’s perhaps too many background instruments. I’m not even sure how I feel about the piccolo trumpet solo. Very strange, indeed.
Album: Magical Mystery Tour Writer: Lennon Singer: Lennon
Verdict: An intentional nonsense song John wrote just to confuse the analytically obsessed. The lyrics themselves are not that attractive; it’s definitely not a song I ever just sing to myself. But dang it John’s voice is spectacular as are the backing musicians, especially the strings. I also love all the crescendoing, as if the song means something more than it does.
Album: The Beatles Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: A passive-aggressive song here by Paul that sounds lighter than it really is. Not his best work, but the orchestra background kicks some ass. So, go George Martin!
Album: The Beatles Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: I think I overrated this a bit; satirical songs usually wear thin after a while. Especially since Paul is trying his hardest not to use his best singing voice. I think I just like how most of the song is just one long breath. I also had a girl go on a date with me once after I told her I liked this song. Then again, it wasn’t the best date.
Album: The Beatles Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: A virtual solo by Paul. He sang while playing acoustic and dubbed in the percussion. Mostly lyrically absent, but nobody can do “doo doo wahs” quite like Paul. Definitely a song the guitar guy at the party could do to try to get attention.
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!”
Verdict: A rare song for Paul where he sings in a lower key. A fairly simple “Ugh, my girlfriend sucks,” song, but I love the vocalizations, especially John’s harmony. My favorite line is “Time after time you refuse to even listen,” but that’s not surprising for me. I tend to enjoy when a singer stays on each note slightly longer than the rhythm would suggest.
Album: Beatles For Sale Writer: Lennon/McCartney Singer: Lennon
Verdict: Now that I’m to this point in the countdown I think I rated this too high. One of my favorite of the “yeah yeah” hits, but the band didn’t care for the song and never performed it live. I just love John and Paul’s harmony with the “hold me, love me” lines.
Album: The Beatles Writer: McCartney Singer: McCartney
Verdict: A nice rocker to begin the white album and I love that Paul wrote this during the height of the fear of communism. I mean, how dare he even consider that Soviets might be human beings. While it’s a parody of “California Girls”, it rises above that.
Death By Troggles 
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