On 26 September 1969, the last album recorded by The Beatles was released. More than five decades after the Fab Four split, the world is still fascinated by the music of the greatest pop group ever. During their lifetime, The Beatles released a dozen studio albums. Notably, I don’t include 1967’s Magical Mystery Tour as it was originally only released as a double EP in the UK, and was only bulked up for subsequent re-releases with various singles and non-album tracks much later.
Almost all Beatles albums are great in their own way, and I’m sure we all have our own ideas on the order of merit. This article will explore the ranking of their albums, diving into the unique qualities and contributions of each. From their groundbreaking debut to the complex sounds of their later works, The Beatles’ discography is a testament to their musical genius.
So, let’s embark on this musical journey and rediscover what made each of their albums special, starting from the least favored to the most beloved!
Table of Contents
- 12. Yellow Submarine (1969)
- 11. Beatles For Sale (1964)
- 10. Let It Be (1970)
- 9. With the Beatles (1963)
- 8. Please Please Me (1963)
- 7. Help! (1965)
- 6. A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
- 5. Rubber Soul (1965)
- 4. The Beatles (1968)
- 3. Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
- 2. Abbey Road (1969)
- 1. Revolver (1966)
12. Yellow Submarine (1969)
Not as bad as popular myth would have it, nevertheless, the soundtrack to the band’s animated movie is the one Beatles album that comes closest to a “file under – for completists only” rating. The best-known songs – “All You Need Is Love” and “Yellow Submarine” are available on innumerable compilations, and of the four new songs, only Lennon’s raw and menacing “Hey Bulldog” hits the mark.
11. Beatles For Sale (1964)
With three albums, a clutch of classic singles, a landmark movie, and a hectic touring schedule including their conquest of America to their name, a weary band retreated to Abbey Road to record their fourth album in less than two years. The results were variable on a covers-heavy set with folk and country influences on some downbeat but effective originals such as “No Reply” and “I’m a Loser”, while “Eight Days a Week” represents the pinnacle of the Lennon/McCartney writing partnership before they began to write less and less together.
10. Let It Be (1970)
The messy break-up album recorded under trying circumstances contains a few tracks I would be happy never to hear again but any album that includes “Get Back”, “Let It Be”, “The Long and Winding Road”, and Lennon and McCartney harmonizing together for the first time in years on “Two of Us“ has to have something going for it. Ultimately, therefore, Let It Be proved something of a sad but not entirely unworthy epitaph for the greatest pop group ever.
9. With the Beatles (1963)
Between their first and second albums, The Beatles had three No 1 singles – “From Me to You”, “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – but the temptation to include any of them on their second long-player was resisted. However, with 14 tracks on With the Beatles, the band couldn’t be accused of not giving value for money, even if it duplicated their first album with six covers, including several impressive nods to their love of Motown on “Please Mr Postman”, “You Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Money”.
8. Please Please Me (1963)
The tone of the thrilling debut that launched the Fab Four into pop music history is set by Paul on the opening track as he counts in “I Saw Her Standing There”. Lennon’s throat-tearing version of “Twist and Shout” bookends the album and in between there’s a mix of originals and covers including a fine Harrison vocal on “Do You Want to Know a Secret” and the first two hits “Love Me Do” and the euphoric title track. It also points to the future of pop music as acts began to write their own material, and remains one of the great debut albums.
7. Help! (1965)
A tie-in with the band’s second film, Help! was a considerable improvement on the previous album Beatles For Sale. The best songs rose to classic status with “Ticket to Ride”, McCartney’s “Yesterday” – the ultimate Beatles standard – and the title track, which was Lennon’s very real cry for help. It’s a cavalcade of riches that compensates for some of the lesser tracks on show.
6. A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Partly the soundtrack of their first movie, The Beatles’ third album was light years ahead of the opposition in 1964, from the moment it announced itself with the epochal opening chord on the famous title track. Lennon sang or composed the bulk of the songs, with “I Should Have Known Better” and “I’ll Be Back” as highlights.
5. Rubber Soul (1965)
The Beatles entered their seminal middle period with another seismic leap in quality with their first true masterpiece. The opening track, “Drive My Car”, is a prime example of the band's growing complexity, while songs like “Norwegian Wood” and “In My Life” showcase their lyrical depth and innovative sounds.
4. The Beatles (1968)
The sprawling “White Album” was recorded in an atmosphere of tension and strained relationships. Despite this, a work of great quality emerged, with standout tracks like “Blackbird” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. With 30 tracks, this album is a showcase of The Beatles’ versatility.
3. Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Five decades since its release, Sgt Pepper still reigns as the most famous pop record ever made. It contains some of the band’s most-loved songs and remains a piece of art that has rarely been bettered in terms of experimentation and innovation.
2. Abbey Road (1969)
Chronologically the last Beatles album recorded, Abbey Road reunited the band for one last magnificent stand, celebrated for the stunning 16-minute medley on side two. It features classics such as “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun”, making it a timeless piece of work.
1. Revolver (1966)
For years Revolver lay in Sgt Pepper’s shadow, but its eclecticism and ambition have stood the test of time. With tracks like “Taxman” and “Tomorrow Never Knows”, it showcases The Beatles’ willingness to explore new sounds and ideas, solidifying its place as their greatest album.
