The Flip Side of Genius
The Beatles' Greatest B-Sides
There's something magical about flipping over a record. That moment when you discover the hidden treasure lurking on the B-side – it's rather like finding an unsigned Picasso in your gran's attic. The Beatles, those clever lads from Liverpool, never treated their B-sides as mere afterthoughts. Instead, they packed them with experimental sounds, emotional depth, and occasionally, their most brilliant work.
Let's dive into the ten greatest Beatles B-sides that deserve their moment in the spotlight. These aren't just the songs that happened to be on the flip side – they're the diamonds in the rough that showcase the band's versatility and genius.
10. "For You Blue" (B-side to "The Long and Winding Road," 1970)
George Harrison's delightful blues number sparkles with an infectious joy that belies the band's fracturing relationships during the Let It Be sessions. The slide guitar work is outstanding, and there's a wonderfully loose, jam-session quality to the recording that makes you feel as though you're right there in the studio.
9. "I'll Get You" (B-side to "She Loves You," 1963)
This early gem demonstrates the already sophisticated songwriting partnership of Lennon-McCartney. The harmonies are absolutely gorgeous, particularly on the "Oh yeah" hook, and there's a wonderful tension in the melody that shows these young musicians were already masters of their craft.
8. "Things We Said Today" (B-side to "A Hard Day's Night," 1964)
McCartney's haunting composition switches between minor and major keys with the expertise of a classical composer. The acoustic guitar work creates an intimate atmosphere, while the middle eight explodes with energy. It's a masterclass in dynamics and emotional storytelling through music.
7. "Rain" (B-side to "Paperback Writer," 1966)
Here's where things get properly psychedelic. The innovative use of tape loops and reversed recordings marks this as one of their most experimental tracks. Ringo's drumming is absolutely phenomenal – possibly his finest moment on record. The way the track seems to float and surge simultaneously is simply mesmerising.
6. "Don't Let Me Down" (B-side to "Get Back," 1969)
Lennon's raw emotional plea ranks among his most honest performances. The interplay between his voice and Billy Preston's electric piano is sublime, while the band's backing shows their remarkable ability to serve the song rather than their egos. It's a master class in restraint and release.
5. "Yes It Is" (B-side to "Ticket to Ride," 1965)
This criminally underrated track showcases the band's gorgeous three-part harmonies at their finest. The use of volume pedal guitar creates an ethereal quality that perfectly matches the melancholic lyrics. It's a sophisticated evolution of their earlier romantic ballads.
4. "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)" (B-side to "Let It Be," 1970)
Pure, unfiltered madness – and absolutely brilliant for it. This playful piece of musical comedy took years to complete and features Brian Jones on saxophone. It's The Beatles at their most experimental and humorous, showing that even as the band was dissolving, their creative spirit remained intact.
3. "I Am The Walrus" (B-side to "Hello, Goodbye," 1967)
That this masterpiece of psychedelic songwriting was relegated to B-side status shows just how high the band's standards were. The orchestral arrangement is phenomenal, the wordplay is delightfully surreal, and the production remains groundbreaking even today.
2. "Revolution" (B-side to "Hey Jude," 1968)
The raw, distorted version that graced the B-side of "Hey Jude" captures the band at their most ferocious. The blistering guitar sound was achieved by overloading the recording console, creating a revolutionary sound for a revolutionary song. It's The Beatles at their most visceral and powerful.
1. "This Boy" (B-side to "I Want to Hold Your Hand," 1963)
Sometimes perfection comes early. This stunning three-part harmony showcase demonstrates everything that made The Beatles special: their incredible vocal abilities, their understanding of musical tradition (the doo-wop influence is beautifully handled), and their ability to transcend their influences to create something uniquely their own. The middle eight, with Lennon's passionate solo, is one of the most spine-tingling moments in their catalogue.
The Final Spin
What makes these B-sides so special isn't just their musical quality – it's what they reveal about The Beatles' creative process. These aren't throwaway tracks or contractual obligations; they're evidence of a band that respected their audience enough to ensure that every release, whether A-side or B-side, was worth the listener's time and money.
In an age of streaming and playlists, we've lost something of the magic of the B-side – that moment of discovery, that feeling of being in on a secret. These ten tracks remind us that sometimes the greatest treasures are hiding in plain sight, just waiting for us to flip the record over.