Ranking of The Beatles’ Albums
By Aveen Burney ‘25
Though I’m no expert, I have listened to every song on every one of these albums, so trust me. Each of these albums have songs that will be sung for the rest of time, so this has not been an easy task. Without The Beatles, music would not be where it is today. Call me old fashioned, call me a granny, call me crazy, but they really started it all. Their influence on pop and rock music shifted the course of history. Most people only know the overplayed, but still amazing, Beatles songs, but I think that there is more to them than just peace and love. If you want a place to start, this ranking helps with that.
13. With The Beatles - 1963
The very iconic album cover does not make up for the amount of musical covers on here. And while the covers are great, you can just feel their own craft bubbling to the surface. Best song on here is definitely “All My Loving.”
12. A Hard Day’s Night - 1964
The album title is a malapropism said by Ringo, how fitting. Solid album and an even better movie to go along with it. This album has some great songs like “And I Love Her” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
11. Beatles For Sale - 1964
The songs on this album really hit me differently than any of the others. The pun on colors used in “Baby’s In Black” just blew my little prep mind. Their covers on this album just feel more raw and real, especially “Rock and Roll Music” and the iconic Buddy Holly song “Words of Love.” I really love most of the songs on the album, but a special shoutout to “Eight Days A Week” solely due to the pain it has brought Lionel.
10. Please Please Me - 1963
Ah, this album. It was their first official album, and man they hit it out of the park. Songs like “I Saw Her Standing There” or “Love Me Do” are what established themselves as different from their peers. And no one can forget their iconic cover of “Twist and Shout.” Very iconic album cover as well.
9. Yellow Submarine - 1969
First five songs are great, but George Martin should have put out his own album.
8. Help! - 1965
What an album. You can start to feel the shift, the desire to do whatever it is they want, Bob Dylan’s weed kicking in. I was in love with the songs “I’ve Just Seen A Face,” “Ticket To Ride,” and “Act Naturally” (proud mom moment for Ringo). But everyone knows the best song on the album: “Yesterday.”
7. The Beatles (The White Album) - 1968
This was originally higher than “Rubber Soul,” but its length and random nature is why it’s lower. They wrote these songs during and after their famous trip to India to find themselves. During all the chaos and vibrant colors of the time, that they themselves instilled, they chose plain white. Simplicity is often the ultimate sophistication. “Blackbird” is amazing, but “Revolution 9” is just too much for me.
6. Rubber Soul - 1965
They have shifted. They have been influenced. The great change has started and they are heading towards their golden years. This is a great album, very funky and fresh and different. George Harrison’s sitar on “Norwegian Wood,” the angelic harmonies on “Nowhere Man,” the sadness of “In My Life,” I could go on and on about every single one of these songs. These are just to name a few.
5. Magical Mystery Tour - 1967
Shout out to Freya for being the “Egg Man.” This album is basically perfect, every single one of the songs are amazing so I am not even going to go through it.
4. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967
This was their concept album. The last song on the album may just be one of the best songs of all time. I really have no words for this. Everyone should listen to this album at least once in their life. You will not regret it.
3. Revolver - 1966
What an album, also perfect. Some say it is their best album, but I am just biased because of the Get Back documentary. Every song is incredible, the tone, experimentation, psychedelic influences, and overall vibes are immaculate and cannot be matched. A must-listen for any music fan.
2. Let It Be - 1970
Where do I start?
1. Abbey Road - 1969
Out of every album, this is the one you need to listen to, or else you just hate music. Don’t stop, listen to it the whole way through. It is provoking, it is so different, every song just melts into the next one in one big medley. Where do I end?
