You should be able to answer this question with ease and speed if you were magically transported to a game show and the friendly host asked you to name ten Beatles songs. There are numerous well-known tunes to choose from, including “Yesterday” and “Yellow Submarine.” Of course, not all of the Fab Four’s songs have weathered the test of time. Not every song has a diamond etching on it. The erstwhile Mop Tops produced some songs that weren’t timeless hits. Sigh! We wanted to focus on a few of the group’s songs that you might not have heard before, might have forgotten, or perhaps wish you had forgotten—especially in light of the new songs the group has released.
1. “I’ll Take You”
Originally composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the song was released in 1963 as the B-side of the more well-known single “She Loves You,” right when the band was starting to gain recognition on a major stage. Additionally, John and Paul can be heard singing together in the song, which was typical of the band’s early, simpler rock tunes. Ultimately, though, the song lacks the band’s characteristic hook. It’s enjoyable and well-made, but a little basic. Sing Paul and John:
Imagine I’m in love with you
It’s easy ’cause I know
I’ve imagined I’m in love with you
Many, many, many times before
It’s not like me to pretend
But I’ll get you, I’ll get you in the end
Yes, I will, I’ll get you in the end
Oh yeah, oh yeah
2. “The Light Within”
This 1968 song, which was written by George Harrison, was the band’s B-side to the much more well-known song “Lady Madonna.” After listening to the song for about 30 seconds, the Eastern influence in the music is evident. The melody of the song has a lot of Indian influence, and the lyrics are taken from the Taoist text Tao Te Ching. The song is unique in that it’s the only one the band has recorded outside of England. Harrison sings during the offering:
Without going out of my door
I can know all things of earth
Without looking out of my window
I could know the ways of heaven
The farther one travels
The less one knows
The less one really knows
3. “Don’t, Honey”
The Beatles didn’t even write this song. Instead, rockabilly musician Carl Perkins wrote it first, and the Mop Tops were just one of many bands to cover it. It was first published by Perkins in 1956 as the B-side to his version of “Blue Suede Shoes,” which went on to become another well-known rock song. For their fourth studio album, Beatles for Sale, which also included the single “Eight Days a Week,” the Beatles recorded their rendition in 1964. Ringo Starr takes the lead vocals on the album’s recording, providing:
Well, I love you, baby, and you oughtta know
I like the way that you wear your clothes
Everything about you is so doggone sweet
You got that sand all over your feet
Well, ah, ah
4. “Girl, thank you”
Written by John and Paul, this song was released in 1963 as the B-side to the more well-known song “From Me to You.” The two frontmen of the group sing together on it. The vocalists honor the women who are the source of their feelings in this love song, which celebrates their euphoric sensations of love. Lennon and McCartney collaborate on this early Mop Tops rock song:
Oh, oh, you’ve been good to me
You made me glad
When I was blue
And eternally I’ll always be
In love with you
And all I gotta do
Is thank you girl, thank you girl
I could tell the world
A thing or two about our love
I know little girl
Only a fool would doubt our love
And all I gotta do
Is thank you girl, thank you girl
5. “Your Name Is Called”
released in 1964 as part of The Beatles’ Second Album, the band’s aptly named sophomore album. Billy Kramer was the first to record the song after lyricist John Lennon offered it to him before taking it to The Beatles. The Fab Four recorded their own version of the song because John Lennon wasn’t pleased with Kramer’s arrangement or the fact that it was published as a B-side for his band The Dakotas. Still, it’s a little simplistic. Lennon sings on it:
I call your name but you’re not there
Was I to blame for being unfair
Oh I can’t sleep at night
Since you’ve been gone
I never weep at night
I can’t go on
Don’t you know I can’t take it
I don’t know who can
I’m not going to make it
I’m not that kind of man
