The Beatles Songs That Overtook Lennon & McCartney—And It’s Not What You Think
Streaming data paints a different picture of Beatles fandom today. While Lennon and McCartney defined the band’s legacy, songs by George Harrison and unexpected outliers have climbed to the top.
Listeners keep returning to tracks for their distinct melodies, personal stories, or emotional honesty. These songs continue to earn millions of plays long after vinyl faded and playlists took over. Here’s what modern fans still press play on.
The Long and Winding Road – 144 Million
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Disagreements regarding this song’s final version pushed McCartney to his breaking point. After recording it as a simple piano ballad, he discovered that Phil Spector had added orchestration without his consent. Despite the tension surrounding its release, The Long and Winding Road has earned over 144 million Spotify streams and remains one of the band’s most revisited ballads.
Strawberry Fields Forever – 239 million
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Lennon based Strawberry Fields Forever on memories of a Salvation Army home near where he grew up. He used studio effects, Mellotron, and multiple edits to create a disorienting sound, which led to 239 million streams. The song was paired with Penny Lane for a double A-side single in 1967. Although critics praised its ambition, it didn’t reach number one.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps – 316 million
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While My Guitar Gently Weeps began when Harrison used the I Ching as a writing prompt and landed on the phrase “gently weeps.” He already had the melody from the band’s trip to India. Back in London, he brought in Eric Clapton to play lead guitar, which was an unusual move for a Beatles track.
Eleanor Rigby – 327 million
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This song swapped out guitars and drums for a double string quartet, a sharp break from the typical pop sounds of its time. George Martin’s arrangement gave the song a clear, formal tone that set it apart. Paul McCartney wrote most of the lyrics, though John Lennon and others helped shape the final version.
Help! – 369 million
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This song, written during a stressful time for the band, reveals personal struggles under the surface. The song was the title track of their second film and album in 1965. Over the years, it has been streamed 369 million times and remains popular, with many artists covering it across various genres.
Something – 409 million
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Critics often singled out Something as one of the Beatles’ most accomplished love songs. After all, it racked up more than 409 million registered plays. Frank Sinatra famously praised it as the greatest love song of the past fifty years.
I Want to Hold Your Hand – 486 million
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It was I Want to Hold Your Hand that launched the Beatles in America. It sold no less than five million copies in the States and more than a million in the UK. Today, the song still finds new listeners through oldies playlists and continues to perform well among younger fans exploring early British pop.
In My Life – 526 million
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In My Life, built around reflection instead of romance, marked a shift in tone for the Beatles. The lyrics focus on memory and absence, rather than youthful love or rebellion. The song has been listened to over 526 million times on Spotify, which indicates its lasting impact across generations of listeners.
Blackbird – 584 million
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McCartney sat alone with his acoustic, fingerpicked a simple line, and sang what he’d just written after watching the Civil Rights struggle unfold on the news. “Blackbird” never made it out as a single, but it slipped into Beatles lore anyway, passed from record players to campfires.
Twist and Shout – 606 million
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Few Beatles recordings feel as unfiltered as this one. It was recorded in a single take at the end of a grueling session. The vocals from Twist and Shout nearly tore Lennon’s voice apart. Though it didn’t chart in the UK until years later, the song now ranks among their top-listened-to tracks.
Hey Jude – 677 million
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Hey Jude became the Beatles’ longest track released as a single. It ran over seven minutes and was also their first release on Apple Records. It held the number one spot on the U.S. charts for nine consecutive weeks.
Yesterday – 774 million
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It started out with the placeholder title “Scrambled Eggs.” The song took shape slowly as McCartney searched for words to match the melody. Once finished, it became the first Beatles recording to feature only one band member, and perhaps that’s why it continues to hold such a distinct presence in the band’s catalog.
Let It Be – 827 million
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Paul McCartney said he heard the phrase “let it be” in a dream, spoken by his late mother. He turned that moment into a song of reassurance, which brought in 827 million spins and counting. In 1970, around the Beatles’ final days, it served as a gentle bookend. The orchestration came later through producer Phil Spector, though McCartney preferred his original version.
Come Together – 856 million
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Come Together starts Abbey Road with a slow, heavy groove. Lennon’s voice barely sings; it sounds more like he’s speaking in rhythm. McCartney’s bass carries the song and gives it a strong, steady pulse. It’s one of their most-streamed tracks, with over 856 million plays on Spotify.
Here Comes the Sun – 1.1 Billion
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Here Comes the Sun leads all Beatles tracks on Spotify with over 1.1 billion streams. George Harrison wrote it during a quiet day in Eric Clapton’s garden while taking a break from band drama. Years later, it’s still the go-to Beatles song for digital listeners.