The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number One

Grannylyn65 I love Norwegian Wood too.

Wonderful......the music hasn't aged for me.

Yeah! yeah! Yeah! A nice trip down Memory Lane, wasn't it?

Watched yesterday. Weren't they great ! Brought tears to my eyes for my own youth and the wonderful music the Beatles brought us.

Mine too! I forget what I did yesterday but long term memory much clearer.
Beatles are as fresh in my memory as ever, as I'm from Liverpool so it was a big part of my life.

I remember a music critic picking some of the Beatles' songs apart, around the time Strawberry Fields came out, and explaining how very complex they were. It was way beyond my music theory and probably beyond theirs as well

You could be right mrsmopp my memory isn't what it used to be!

Thanks for reminder, got it on catch up. I like Norwegian Wood.

I have just watched the programme on catch up. I really enjoyed it. Lovely to relive the wonders of the Beatles, especially George. Hey Jude seems a fitting close to the music. So many classic songs.

Are you sure? Are you thinking of Stuart Sutcliffe?
Pete Best ended up working in a local jobcentre for many years.
Talk about lost opportunity! I think there was an element if jealousy as he was hugely popular - the girls all shouted for him and was incredibly handsome. There was an outcry when he was sacked just as the Beatles were about to make their name. Tragic.

Pete Best died when young.

Ringo "clean and serene" Grannyknot ? He certainly did look both of those. Whereas Paul, as NotTooOld says, did just look old. And judging by his recent public performances he has lost his singing mojo too.

I like Ringo. He was never the best looking one but he always seemed like a nice person. And I agree that he has aged very well. At the end of last night's prog he still looked cool whilst Paul just looked old.

John Lennon once said, "Ringo isn't the best drummer in the country. He isn't even the best drummer in the Beatles!"
So why did they dump Pete Best then.....?

Not what they are cracked up to be? You have to consider their output against the general pop music of the time, when it can be seen to be a very refreshing innovation.

I read an obituary this morning for Andy White, the drummer. Andy was an excellent session player, and was used instead of Ringo on Love Me Do - Andy got £5 plus 10/- porterage - later Ringo got the royalties!

purple I've seen Ringo up close in recent years at an addictions event, and I think his secret is that he is "clean and serene". He truly is a "cool cat".

grandma2213 I agree and last night's show reminded me of some of their more complex arrangements. The choir that I sing in, performs Yellow Submarine and it is a surprisingly complex song too. When we trot it out at concerts, the audiences love it and all start bobbing their heads and they join in.

I think you are right Grandma2213. Thought the back stories were interesting, if they were true. I didn't realise Hey Jude was written for Julian Lennon or that Mother Mary in Let it be was Paul McCartney's own mother and not a religious reference. Also thought that strangely Ringo had aged better than Paul in the final shots.

I don't think I could pick a favourite. It depends on my mood and there are so many memories linked to different songs. What I could never have anticipated was that my DSs would be playing them to this day. One even works for a Beatles memorabilia company and is quite an expert now!

Grannyknot - does it not tell us something about the quality of the songs that we still know all the words?

I've recorded it but just saw the end where Hey Jude was the winner. I quite like it and it's a good sing-along song, but I wouldn't call it a favourite of mine.

I know it's fashionable in some quarters to say they weren't as good as they're cracked up to be, but I think they were brilliant.

I really couldn't pick out just one track but I particularly like:

Things we said today
In my life
Baby you can drive my car
The fool on the hill

Sorry I missed the program, I'll look for it on Catch-up. But my favourite would have to be Eleanor Rigby. It was (IIRC) the first time they had tried to incorporate a full orchestra into one of their singles tracks and the effect is stunning

Long and Winding Road is a bit of a durge too, but I love it.

I also like You won't see me, written about Jane Asher, when she dropped Paul as her boyfriend.It's sad but very nice, remember it?

ITV lully.

Also disappointed that Hey Jude is (apparently) the favourite.

I was waiting to hear Rocky Raccoon but no such luck.

Not keen on Hey Jude myself, but know it's really popular.