As Abbey Road turns 50, we rate the Fab Fours 22 UK singles, which dominated the charts in the 1960s and changed pop for ever
22. The Ballad of John and Yoko (1969)
John Lennon once convened a meeting of the Beatles to inform them that he was Jesus: the charmless Ballad of John and Yoko is that crazed egotism and messiah complex wrought into song. Paul McCartney does his best to enliven a pretty wan bit of music with his contributions playing bass, piano and drums but its an uphill struggle.
21. From Me to You (1963)
A step back from the thrills of Please Please Me, From Me to You was a hit written to order, and it is tempting to say it shows. On the plus side, Lennon sings the whole thing in a voice far more rasping and anguished than the song warrants, as if he is approaching the lyrics cutesy sentiment with a distinct roll of the eyes.
20. Love Me Do (1962)
It is hard to imagine how raw and unique Love Me Do sounded in late 1962, in a singles chart dominated by yodeling Frank Ifield and Acker Bilk: the writer Ian MacDonald compared the impact of its dry, northern British sound to that of kitchen-sink realism in cinema and theatre. That said, the Beatles would swiftly outstrip the songs simplicity and modest charm.