Well, this was a tough challenge. ‘The Beatles’ made so many great songs, and in my life I loved them all. But I had to choose, and I did (I only cheated once). So here they are, my 10 favourites. Let it be…

10. Sexy Sadie
Lead vocals: John Lennon
Writer(s): John Lennon
Album: The White Album (B-side)

I just love the structure of this one with every line coming back. The history of how it came to be is amusing as well. Apparently Lennon started writing it in India where he and the boys were staying at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Lennon became disillusioned after Maharishi made sexual advances towards several female group members. The song was originally called ‘Maharishi’, but George Harrison insisted they change the title.

9. Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Lead vocals: John Lennon
Writer(s): Lennon-McCartney
Album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

This one sounds like it was composed with a head full of acid and it probably was. The lyrics are based entirely on a circus poster from the Victorian age Lennon had at home. The final result, a combination of psychedelic rock, circus music and waltz is more an experience than a song. A truly unique sound that stimulates all senses. Brilliant.

8. The Fool on the Hill
Lead vocals: Paul McCartney
Writer(s): Paul McCartney
Album: Magical Mystery Tour

This musical power performance is full of sadness and wisdom. Makes heavy use of flutes that send shivers down my spine every time I listen to it.

7. Michelle
Lead vocals: Paul McCartney
Writer(s): Lennon-McCartney
Album: Rubber Soul

It a shame nobody on the talent shows like ‘The Voice’ ever picks a love ballad like ‘Michelle’. Maybe it’s not allowed, but even if they did, they would never be able to sing it like Paul McCartney. ‘Michelle’ is tasteful, romantic and lovely. Never fails to move me.

6. Happiness is a Warm Gun
Lead vocals: John Lennon
Writer(s): John Lennon
Album: The White Album (A-side)

Bizarre poetry from John Lennon. It is inspired by the cover of a gun magazine that read ‘Happiness Is a Warm Gun’. Lennon thought it was a fantastic, insane thing to say and he wrote these lyrics that are terrific and crazy. The song rocks so much it gives me a massive hard on whenever I play it insanely loud in my car.

5. Octopus’s Garden / Norwegian Wood
Lead vocals: Ringo Starr / John Lennon
Writer(s): Richard Starkey / Lennon-McCartney
Album: Abbey Road / Rubber Soul

It is truly amazing how much atmosphere these artists could create with their songs. ‘Octopus’s Garden’ – by far the greatest contribution from Ringo Starr – takes you deep into the ocean for a magical experience. ‘Norwegian Wood’ is extremely atmospheric as well due to the sitar played by George Harrison. The lyrics are beautiful and poetic. I love to go there any day of the week.

4. Because
Lead vocals: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison
Writer(s): John Lennon
Album: Abbey Road

I experience their final album ‘Abbey Road’ as one large and beautiful opera, and ‘Because’ is one of the highlights. Why? ‘Because’ it’s a powerful and astonishingly beautiful song. Can make me cry like a child.

3. In My Life
Lead vocals: John Lennon
Writer(s): Lennon-McCartney
Album: Rubber Soul

Wonderful trip down memory lane with John Lennon. It’s about love and friendship and you believe every word he so gently sings. It is ranked 23rd on Rolling Stone’s ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’. Mojo magazine named it the best song of all time in 2000.

2. She’s Leaving Home
Lead vocals: Paul McCartney
Writer(s): Lennon-McCartney
Album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Besides the hallucinogenic ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ and the mood-setting ‘Fixing a Hole’ this is a song that makes me think of the love of my life. In the year that I met Loesje, I would listen to this all the time thinking about her. The lyrics are sad, but stunningly beautiful. McCartney came up with the runaway story, which he read about in a newspaper and Lennon added the Greek chorus, the parents’ view: ‘We gave her most of our lives, we gave her everything money could buy.’ Genius teamwork.

1. Here, There and Everywhere
Lead vocals: Paul McCartney
Writer(s): Paul McCartney
Album: Revolver

This is it: my funeral song. I don’t know what McCartney thought about when he wrote this powerful masterpiece, but for me it is about love and eternity.

Thanks again, Boys.