The Beatles transformed pop culture during the 1960s and had so many incredible songs that even some of their most obscure compositions could be classified as masterpieces. While there are very few people on planet Earth who wouldn’t recognize hits like “Yesterday,” “Here Comes the Sun,” or “Let It Be,” there are just as many incredible underrated Beatles tracks that deserve way more love. For every “A Hard Day's Night” or “Eleanor Rigby,” there’s another hidden gem that long-time lovers of the Fab Four will point to as a forgotten classic in need of more attention.
What started with two teenagers named John Lennon and Paul McCartney bonding over their love of R&B and skiffle music eventually led to these Liverpudlians becoming some of the most recognizable names on the planet. After they were ed by George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the world was fully introduced to the most trailblazing band pop music had ever seen as Beatlemania went into full swing, and audiences couldn’t get enough of these musical icons. With 213 songs released between 1962 and 1970, it’s shocking just how prolific the Beatles were, as even their most underrated songs remain timeless.
15 “The Fool On The Hill”
Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
It can sometimes feel like songs from the Beatles' EPs, such as Magical Mystery Tour, are unfairly overlooked, which was certainly the case for the beautiful story song “The Fool on the Hill.” With enchanting flutes and an ethereal, otherworldly feel, the slow musical accompaniment of “The Fool on the Hill” complemented its story about a lonesome man, misunderstood by others, who was actually incredibly wise. With hints of the Beatles' more introspective and mindful tendencies, this track was primarily written by Paul McCartney and likely related to the band’s guru and meditation teacher, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
14 “The Night Before”
Help! (1965)
While it's easy to dismiss “The Night Before” as just a disposable album track from the Beatles movie soundtrack record Help!, its pop-rock pontification on a recently ruined love made it one of the greatest encapsulations of the band’s sound before their creative breakthrough with Rubber Soul later that year.
As a fast-paced lament on a romance that was still blossoming “the night before” but has now come to an end, this Paul McCartney track showcased the Beatles’ ability to package complex feelings of heartache and sorrow in an upbeat song filled with the group’s signature infectious harmonies.
13 “Things We Said Today”
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
As a song that explores a feeling of nostalgia for the current moment, the Beatles have always been able to tap into hard-to-translate feelings of love’s complexity and the dark side of relationship troubles. “Things We Said Today” was inspired by Paul McCartney’s relationship with actress Jane Asher and highlighted his complicated feelings about their lives and careers pointing them in different directions. As the B-side of the hit single “A Hard Day’s Night,” the subtle beauty and introspective poignancy of “Things We Said Today” is often overshadowed by the more extravagant pop songs of the Beatlemania era.
12 “Honey Pie”
The Beatles (1968)
The Beatles' self-titled record, commonly known as the White Album, was packed with so many tracks that many get lost amid its 30 competing songs. One quietly effective composition was “Honey Pie,” a nostalgic throwback to 1920s music hall that leaned into Paul McCartney’s love for sentimentality.
Telling the story of an old lover wishing for his now-famous actress ex-girlfriend to return from the United States to be with him, “Honey Pie” was a homage to the eras of the Beatles’ parents that highlighted the group’s eclectic interests beyond the skiffle and R&B music they emulated as the Quarrymen.
11 “No Reply”
Beatles for Sale (1964)
The incredible development of John Lennon’s songwriting maturity and introspective nature was seen on “No Reply,” the incredible opening track of Beatles for Sale. As the story of a boy unable to his seemingly deceitful girlfriend, the double-tracked vocals and unique instrumentation only added to the Beatles' undeniable reputation as trailblazing musicians. John Lennon primarily wrote the song and gave it to fellow Brian Epstein artist Tommy Quickly. However, when the band was stuck for material for their next album, they reclaimed it and recorded it themselves.
10 “Mother Nature’s Son”
The Beatles (1968)
While some of Paul McCartney’s more stripped-back acoustic compositions like “Blackbird” have become timeless classics, equally beautiful tracks like “Mother Nature’s Son” have been relegated to obscurity in comparison. With delicate finger-picking guitar work, beautiful trumpets and trombones, and lyrics that sincerely explore mankind's profound connection to Mother Earth, “Mother Nature’s Son” truly was one of the Beatles’ most quietly poignant songs. While McCartney’s sentimental vocals were in full swing, what really brought this track together was the muted horns that added to its warmth without being overbearing.
9 “Savoy Truffle”
The Beatles (1968)
While George Harrison’s often underappreciated contribution to the legacy of the Beatles has gained delayed acclaim in recent years, the popularity of songs like “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun” often dominates the conversation. This has left astounding tracks like “Savoy Truffle” totally underrated, as this upbeat and soulful love letter to chocolate was just one of many hidden gems on the White Album. Although “Savoy Truffle” has often been perceived as a filler track on the record, looking back on the song today, it’s one of the funniest moments on the album.
8 “I've Got A Feeling”
Let It Be (1970)
Although the late stages of the Beatles saw the songwriting partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney increasingly grow apart, “I’ve Got a Feeling” showcased their ability to get the best out of one another. As a mix of McCartney’s "I've Got a Feeling" and Lennon's "Everybody Had a Hard Year,” this track was one of the few songs the Beatles played at their notorious final performance on the rooftop of their Apple headquarters. As a bluesy and raw track featuring Billy Preston on electric piano, “I’ve Got a Feeling” had an unpolished energy that made it stand out.
7 “There's A Place”
Please Please Me (1963)
While the trailblazing creativity of the second half of the Beatles' career has often dominated the conversation around the group, it’s shocking just how much even their earliest music paved the way for all that was to come. “There’s a Place” was an example of the Beatles attempting to forge new ground on their very first album, as Lennon and McCartney explored psychological themes packed in a Motown style with their signature harmonies. As a precursor to the introspective depth of their later work, “There’s a Place” deserves more recognition.
6 “Dear Prudence”
The Beatles (1968)
As a hypnotic and powerful celebration of life, nature, and humanity itself, it’s shocking that “Dear Prudence” doesn’t stand alongside “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Across the Universe” as among John Lennon’s greatest compositions with the Beatles. Written during the band’s trip to India in 1968, “Dear Prudence” referred to Mia Farrow’s sister and her obsessive and reclusive meditation practices. While this song may feature Prudence’s namesake, the message of “the sun is up, the sky is blue, It's beautiful, and so are you” perfectly encapsulates the acceptance, positivity, and open-minded ethos of the 1960s hippie movement.