What is the most iconic Beatles' song?

[Buried Alien]

The Beatles were probably *the* musical icon of the rock era of popular music (their only likely rivals being Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan for universal recognition). They had a motherlode of hits and much of their catalogue have become standards covered dozens of times over by a diverse array of artists. That said, amidst their illustrious canon, there are a few songs that stand out as candidates for being *the* iconic Beatles song...the one most associated with them and the one that most people think of first when they hear the name "Beatles." Which song is that?



Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Sanagi]

"I want to hold your hand" started playing in my head as I clicked into this thread, so I voted for it.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Jeeze....this is like picking one of Elvis's songs as the most Iconic. Its too hard to do.

[Brian Cronin]

Most iconic Beatles' song I think is "Yesterday". The song had the record for the longest time as the most used song in rock history.

Most iconic Beatles' song I think is "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." I think, even with their great later success, most people still instinctly think of the Beatles as their early work, and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" was the standout of their early work.

-Brian

[Trucker Belt]

When I think of the Beatles, The song that pops in my head is "Come Together"

[Valmore]

Where the hell is Maxwell's Silver Hammer?!?

[rick]

I'll say Hey Jude, but honestly, I think that I Saw Her Standing There or She Loves You might be the most iconic Beatles songs.

[rick]

Most iconic Beatles' song I think is "Yesterday". The song had the record for the longest time as the most used song in rock history.


I have to disagree with you here Brian.

Yesterday is probably the most iconic Paul McCartney song.

Even though it was recorded under the title Beatles, I'm pretty sure that most people don't actually think of it as a Beatles song as much as a McCartney solo piece.

I could be wrong mind you, but I don't think so.

[K'Nort]

Like others, I voted Yesterday because it's the first that popped into my head.

[howyadoin]

I think it's "Help".

[Danger Dude]

"All You Need is Love" was the first Beatles song I ever heard and is, in my opinion, their best song.

[Buried Alien]

Surprisingly, "She Loves You," which established the Beatles' iconic "yeah, yeah, yeah" refrain, hasn't picked up a single vote yet.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[howyadoin]

I'm changing my vote to "Can't Buy Me Love".

[elheffe]

When I think of Beatles, I think of "Get Back" so I picked 'other.' There's just something about Loretta and low-neck sweaters that I like, apparently.

[Choreoanimation]

Surprisingly, "She Loves You," which established the Beatles' iconic "yeah, yeah, yeah" refrain, hasn't picked up a single vote yet.

Then the "naaaa, naa, naa..." of "Hey Jude" has to be a very close second, which is why I voted for it. It is really difficult choosing only one, but I had to go with "Hey Jude" just barely over "Yesterday." My third probably would have been "She Loves You."

[scratchie]

Just off the top of my head, where are:

Penny Lane?
Strawberry Fields Forever?
I am the Walrus?
A Day in the Life?
Rain?
Paperback Writer?
I Feel Fine?
Day Tripper?
Nowhere Man?

Those are all pretty iconic, IMO.

What about poor George? How about

Here Comes the Sun?
While My Guitar Gently Weeps?
Taxman?

[Buried Alien]

Just off the top of my head, where are:

Penny Lane?
Strawberry Fields Forever?
I am the Walrus?
A Day in the Life?
Rain?
Paperback Writer?
I Feel Fine?
Day Tripper?
Nowhere Man?

Those are all pretty iconic, IMO.

What about poor George? How about

Here Comes the Sun?
While My Guitar Gently Weeps?
Taxman?

Well, in a sense, nearly *every* Beatles song is iconic, but there are a few that are Iconic (note capital "I")...the ones that even non-Beatles fans would know.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[david r]

I don't think the Beatles really have just one iconic song.

Like how the Stones have I Can't Get No Satisfaction as their iconic song. Or Bob Dylan has Like a Rolling Stone for his iconic achievement. I just don't think the Beatles have one song that captures their entire musical canon because their work is so varied.

[GRANT!]

I'm leaning towards "Hey Jude." Everyone likes "Hey Jude."

[berk]

For me personally it's She Loves You, which came into my head even before I checked to see if it was included in the poll. Still one of my favourites, it's never gotten old to me. But I agree with David R that they probably can't be limited to just one single one.

[Brian Cronin]

I have to disagree with you here Brian.

Yesterday is probably the most iconic Paul McCartney song.

Even though it was recorded under the title Beatles, I'm pretty sure that most people don't actually think of it as a Beatles song as much as a McCartney solo piece.

I could be wrong mind you, but I don't think so.

It's definitely a fair point, Rick.

-Brian

[Ontir]

A Day in the Life is hands-down, the most iconic of their catalogue!

[Reptisaurus!]

It's a margin of teeny, tiny degrees whichever one you pick. Y'might be able to narrow it down tooi iconic early, mid, and late period Beatles or iconic John, Paul, and George songs. But even that's a little techy.


Like how the Stones have I Can't Get No Satisfaction as their iconic song. Or Bob Dylan has Like a Rolling Stone for his iconic achievement. I just don't think the Beatles have one song that captures their entire musical canon because their work is so varied.


No way! Blowin' in the Wind is the iconic Bob Dylan song!

[Choreoanimation]

I don't think the Beatles really have just one iconic song.

Like how the Stones have I Can't Get No Satisfaction as their iconic song. Or Bob Dylan has Like a Rolling Stone for his iconic achievement. I just don't think the Beatles have one song that captures their entire musical canon because their work is so varied.

Most bands change a great deal if they are lucky enough to have a long career, but the amount that the Beatles changed over just seven years is amazing. You could almost do a poll about the most iconic song of each year becase their work changed so much. I bet if you took someone who isn't familiar with the Beatles and made them listen to "Help" or "Meet/With The Beatles" and then played "Revolver" or "Sgt. Peppers..." for them, they would think it's two different bands. Some prefer the early stuff, some prefer the later stuff, so it's difficult to pick just one song. Apologies to Rolling Stones fans, but they haven't changed near as much over 40+ years as the Beatles did in those seven or eight years. But maybe it's a good thing the Beatles broke up, becuase had they stayed together their quality would have eventually dropped or would have had peaks and valleys, much like the Stones have had over the years.

[scratchie]

Well, in a sense, nearly *every* Beatles song is iconic, but there are a few that are Iconic (note capital "I")...the ones that even non-Beatles fans would know.Even under that definition, I think you certainly should have included "Strawberry Fields", "Here Comes the Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the very least. Probably "Revolution" as well.

[Cash Lone]

A Day in the Life is hands-down, the most iconic of their catalogue!

boo ya, give the man a cigar!

[Lubichev]

How about Old Brown Shoe? That has iconography written all over it.



I first thought, which Beatles song is most IRONIC? Now there's a tough question.

Maybe I'm A Loser?

[leonaozaki]

I don't think the Beatles really have just one iconic song.

Like how the Stones have I Can't Get No Satisfaction as their iconic song. Or Bob Dylan has Like a Rolling Stone for his iconic achievement. I just don't think the Beatles have one song that captures their entire musical canon because their work is so varied.

For my money, Dylan's catalogue is just as varied as the Beatles'-- if not more so.

rob

[Lazy_Fiend]

come together i what comes to my mind

[Eliot Johnson]

Strawberry Fields Forever

As i'm into the beatles' more psychedelic stuff, that song is their iconic one to me.

[Slade.]

Peoeple always talk about legendary beatls lyrics that are timeless and ive listened to every acclaimed beatles album and loved some of the songs and they have their moments but honestly alot of them were blah.

most overated group ever (lyricly)

the waaaalrussssss...yea ok ther crackhead

[howyadoin]

Even under that definition, I think you certainly should have included "Strawberry Fields", "Here Comes the Sun" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the very least. Probably "Revolution" as well.Note that the last option in the poll is "other".

[Buried Alien]

Peoeple always talk about legendary beatls lyrics that are timeless and ive listened to every acclaimed beatles album and loved some of the songs and they have their moments but honestly alot of them were blah.

most overated group ever (lyricly)

Generally, the Beatles have never been singled out for having written extraordinary lyrics. Their lyrics were instantly accessible (at least before they went psychedelic) and memorable, but not deep the way Bob Dylan lyrics were.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[handOFfate]

This is why the Beatles are the single most iconic band ever. You mention them and about a dozen songs will pop into someone's head. When a band has so many hits and you can't single one out as their greatest, then that band has done pretty well for themselves. There's no definite answer, but I'll go with Hey Jude.