The Beatles Talent Shines With Vocals Only On Six Of Their Hits

It would be a stretch to say the Beatles are underrated considering they pushed the boundaries of rock ‘n’ roll to new levels. But to listen to how incredibly good they were as singers and at  group harmonies when you listen to the vocals only, is pretty amazing.

As we did previously with other rock bands here are 6 songs by The Beatles with isolated vocal tracks.

First is the song that would catapult the Beatles to superstardom in the USA, I Want To Hold Your Hand from 1963.

I’m Looking Through You from 1965 is about Paul McCartney’s girlfriend model / actress Jane Asher and dissatisfaction in the relationship. “Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.”

Next is Paperback Writer from 1966 written primarily by Paul McCartney with John Lennon adding to the lyrics. Listen carefully and in the middle under the main lyric the Beatles are singing Freres Jacques in the background. The clever song came about when McCartney’s aunt Lil asked Paul why every song that he writes is about love? “Can’t you write a song about a horse or the summit conference or something interesting?” The result is Paperback Writer.

The following three songs are all from 1967.

John Lennon’s Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is not about the psychedelic drug LSD. John’s three-year-old son Julian was showing Lennon a picture he had drawn. Upon examining the drawing, John said to Julian “what is it?” Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds was the reply, spawning a legendary song with quirky lyrics.

Paul McCartney’s Hello Goodbye is a simple song of opposites. McCartney would revisit the theme of duality years later with the 1982 hit Ebony and Ivory featuring Stevie Wonder.

The final track we are featuring, Getting Better has beautiful harmonies and displays producer George Martin and The Beatles mastery of recording group vocals.