With the recent release of the last Beatles song, “Now and Then”, it feels appropriate to rank all 13 of The Beatles’ albums. Note: this ranking is VERY hard because all of the albums are special and wonderful in their own ways, and Past Masters would be ranked #1 if it were not a compilation album. In addition, this ranking could change at any time.
- Yellow Submarine (1969)
Source: Wikipedia
Here we go! This album only contains a couple of real songs, because the rest make up the soundtrack for the same-titled cartoon movie. The songs appealed to me when I was younger (“Yellow Submarine”, “Hey Bulldog”), but this album is really nothing special.
- Let It Be (1970)
Source: Wikipedia
Although this album is classic in the timeline of The Beatles, especially with the hours-long documentary coming out about it, this album is not my favorite. The songs kind of come full circle to the beginning of their journey, such as, “One After 909” (a cover that they did early in their career). The Classic Rock genre comes back on this album after the plethora of experimental work they did on previous albums. “Get Back”, “Let It Be”, “Across the Universe”, and “The Long and Winding Road” are all classic Beatles songs, so I understand why this album is iconic to many. Personally, I just never reach for this album.
- Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
Source: Apple Music
First of all, this movie is weird- it’s like a fever dream. The album also kind of feels like a fever dream, leaning more towards an experimental style. The songs are slower, and the lyrics are much different from the Classic Rock era that the band was once in. A lot of the songs are well known not just by Beatles fans, but ordinary people worldwide. This album is good, but it’s not one that I would reach for on a daily basis.
- The Beatles (The White Album) (1968)
Source: Wikipedia
This album has a slower, slightly depressing vibe. Although some of the songs are great and memorable, the rest feel like they’re there because they needed to fill up the album- they sound like the band was just playing around and decided to add to the tracklist. The songs aren’t complex or meaningful, it just feels like the band has lost their steam. “Glass Onion” is a great song that makes fun references to their other songs, and “I Will” and “Julia” are both lovely ballads, but the rest aren’t really notable in my view.
- Revolver (1966)
Source: Wikipedia
This album is just eh. “Eleanor Rigby” is one of The Beatles’ most notable songs, and “Here, There, and Everywhere” is a love song that has transcended generations, but the rest are pretty much fluff songs. They might be catchy or fun, but the level of talent isn’t at its highest on this album.
- Beatles for Sale (1964)
Source: Wikipedia
In my opinion, this album is a great mix of Classic Rock and Country-esque styles. “Words of Love,” “What You’re Doing,” and “Honey Don’t” sound like a mix of acoustic and country. Their cover of “Rock and Roll Music” and their hit “Eight Days a Week” exemplify the 50’s style rock that The Beatles tried to recreate early in their career. There are other songs on the album that fit these two genres, but this album has a little more of a starter-pack, entry-level style.
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Source: uDiscover Music
This is The Beatles’ eighth studio album, and it is also considered by many music listeners to be the best album OF. ALL. TIME. This is the most complex that the band has and will ever be, including the album cover. Some songs are backed by strings and a variety of instruments not included in the band’s norm (two guitars, bass, and drums). The album is innovative in its production and sound, and paved the way for new interpretations of the rock genre, and how it can expand. “A Day In The Life” is thought by many people to be the band’s best song because of its complex sound and storyline. “She’s Leaving Home” is also beautiful in its sound and lyricism, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” shows how experimental the band can be, and “Within You Without You” is infused with raga rock. This album is a stamp in time, embodying the end of the 1960s, with drug-infused sounds and lyrics, and experimenting with everything in life.
- Help! (1965)
Source: Wikipedia
Not only is this same-titled movie so fun to watch (so wacky and weird), but the songs on this album are mostly softer than their past albums. The songs are simpler but very catchy and fun to sing. Although it doesn’t apply to all the songs, this album has more of an “acoustic” feel. It’s just a good album. I wouldn’t say it’s special or stand-out, but it’s a nice listen and fun to play in the background of other activities as well.
- Rubber Soul (1965)
Source: Wikipedia
I would classify this album as more moody. The songs are more complex and differ more in style. “Run For Your Life” and “Michelle” are total opposites of the spectrum, yet they come together to create a well-rounded album. “In My Life” is one of the most famous songs by the band, and the variety of styles in the album makes it one to listen to at any time because it covers all the bases.
- With The Beatles (1963)
Source: Wikipedia
This album contains multiple originals, as well as Rock and Motown covers. It is such a satisfying listen, and all the songs are amazing. “All My Loving” and “Not a Second Time” are both some of my all-time favorites, and their cover of “Money (That’s What I Want)” is not to be missed. This album cover (like many of their others) is so iconic in their history, and the songs on the album set the bar for what their songs will be like in the future.
- Abbey Road (1969)
Source: Wikipedia
Wow. Just wow. To be honest, I really never used to listen to this album, but now I realize why many people regard it to be the best in their discography. Not only do most of the songs flow into each other (listening to the album in order is key), but there is such diversity in the styles and talent in the songwriting and the members. At this point in time, The Beatles were evolved and nowhere close to the people and style they used to be when they began. There was also a lot of tension in the band at this time, but it really does not show in the music. My favorite songs in the album are “Something”, “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window”, “Oh! Darling”, and “The End”. All of The Beatles’ albums are nostalgic for me, since I grew up listening to them with my Dad, but this one just has a certain feeling that hits home.
- Please Please Me (1963)
Source: The Beatles
This is The Beatles’ debut, and it is a masterpiece. It contains six covers, but the rest are the imaginings of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the band’s primary songwriters. The band shoots into the spotlight with this wonderful album, softer than their future albums, but full of beautiful lyrics and fun harmonies. This album also contains one song that most people know the band for (although it is a cover): “Twist and Shout”. If I were to give examples of the best songs on the album, I would be naming every song. Also, as you can see, I love the early stuff.
- A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Source: Wikipedia
This album holds such nostalgia for me. Over the years, I’ve realized how many lyrics I know on this album (spoiler: almost every lyric from all of the 13 songs). This is a great album to practice your harmonies, and it spans a variety of music styles. There are ballads (“If I Fell”, “And I Love Her”), Pop Rock hits (“A Hard Day’s Night”, “I’m Happy Just to Dance With You”), and even some Country-like bops (“I Should Have Known Better”, “I’ll Cry Instead”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”). This album also created, in my opinion, the best Beatles movie, named after the album. The Fab Four are caricatures of themselves in the film, but it really just seems like they are playing themselves. It’s a goofy, musically enjoyable way to pass the time. Overall, because of the sentimental value and musical balance it has, this album ranks at number one on my list.