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Curated playlist

Capitol Records singles

  • What Goes On (Beatles song)Ringo Starr said he wrote about five words of the Beatles song "What Goes On". It was his first composing credit.
  • I Am the WalrusJohn Lennon wrote "I Am the Walrus" to baffle fans who over-analyzed the Beatles.
  • She Loves YouThe Beatles' "She Loves You" sold only about 1,000 copies when first released in the US.
  • Roar (song)Katy Perry wrote "Roar" right after therapy sessions. She was tired of keeping feelings inside and not speaking up.
  • Help! (song)John Lennon later called the Beatles' 1965 song Help an unconscious cry for help.
  • Ticket to Ride (song)John Lennon later claimed "Ticket to Ride" was the first heavy metal record ever made.
  • All You Need Is LoveThe Beatles sang "All You Need Is Love" live to over 400 million people in 1967. It linked 25 countries.
  • Eleanor RigbyThe Beatles song "Eleanor Rigby" hit number one without a single Beatle playing an instrument.
  • Paperback WriterPaul McCartney wrote "Paperback Writer" after his Aunt Lil asked why he never wrote about anything but love.
  • Helter Skelter (song)Ringo Starr screamed about blisters on the Beatles' "Helter Skelter" after throwing his drumsticks.
  • Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-DaA recording engineer quit the Beatles after fights over "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da."
  • Strawberry Fields ForeverTwo different recordings of "Strawberry Fields Forever" were spliced into one with scissors and tape machines.
  • I Want to Hold Your HandA 14-year-old girl introduced the Beatles to American radio. Marsha Albert's letter got one song played.
  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (song)The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper song began with salt and pepper on a plane.
  • The Night They Drove Old Dixie DownA Canadian wrote "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," one of the greatest Civil War songs.
  • Act NaturallyThe Beatles gave Ringo Starr a lead vocal by covering the country song "Act Naturally."
  • Baby, You're a Rich ManGeorge Harrison played "Baby, You're a Rich Man" in a San Francisco park and a crowd followed him.
  • Love Me DoRingo Starr arrived to record the Beatles' "Love Me Do" and was handed a tambourine.
  • Mull of Kintyre (song)Insects nearly ruined the open-air recording of "Mull of Kintyre." The song still became a UK record seller.
  • Penny LanePaul McCartney found the Penny Lane trumpet sound while watching Bach on television.
  • Rain (Beatles song)Did John Lennon or George Martin discover the backwards vocals on the Beatles' "Rain"? Each man claimed the discovery.
  • The Inner Light (song)A Beatles B-side was recorded in Bombay with Indian musicians. Harrison's "The Inner Light" used words by Lao-Tzu.

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