by
Ryan Clement
I WAS IN LIVERPOOL RECENTLY. I was at the Albert Dock, observing the scenery and soaking in the calm, relaxing atmosphere of the late afternoon. Suddenly, I heard this lovely female voice, singing the Beatles’ Let it be. She was unquestionably happy. Many years after the song’s release, here was a lady singing a song as if it were fresh in the charts. We exchanged pleasantries and she moved merrily on. However, this got me think about the Fab Four’s long catalogue of music and wondered what was my favourite song of theirs? Unlike with, say, MJ, I confess to knowing only the hits. I couldn’t tell you which album/CD they were/are from, the track number or what other hits they sit/fit between on their respective albums/CDs.
WHAT I DO KNOW, is there are a lot of them and, for me, most, if not all, are exceptionally good; actually, Great! Then I considered, ‘What would be my favourite Beatles’ song?’ 🤔 Even for a non-Beatles expert like me, I knew it was an impossible task. So, I widened the field to three. In all honesty, I could have widened it to ten and still not be satisfied.
HOWEVER, off the cuff, positioned a few metres from the Fab Four’s statue(s), I opted for Yesterday, Penny Lane and Eleanor Rigby. My choices were based on what hit a spot more at that material time only. In other words, it was not a case of comparing one with the other, otherwise Hey Jude would be there for being an anthem in itself! I can imagine (or may be not), being in a crowd of 50,000, singing the ending loudly, in unison and, if lucky, in tune! I know what it’s like being at Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club, and 50k-plus fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone; it’s indescribable. You need to be there to witness and feel it!
I asked a friend what would be her three? She answered Eleanor Rigby, Yesterday and She loves you! I noticed that my choices were all where Paul sang lead. Nothing should be read into this because I love John’s voice. But the slower tempo of my choices was what resonated at that time. I say that because in 6 months’ time I may have a different three. Oh no, how could I have left out When I’m Sixty-Four? Oh no, again, Help!, Michelle, I want to hold your hand, With a little help from my friends, Strawberry Fields Forever, Paperback Writer, and many, many more. I give up! I’ll just Let it Be!
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Ryan Clement 