Counting Down the Beatles: Their 100 Finest Songs

by Jim Beviglia

The Beatles loom large over the musical landscape even now that nearly a half-century has passed since the four men from Liverpool played their last notes together. While the story of their stunning rise and brief but brilliant time together on top of the pop music world is undoubtedly fascinating, it would ring hollow without the scores of incredible songs that accompanied each milestone. These songs are the focus of rock writer Jim Beviglia’s latest foray into the catalogs of rock royalty.

Counting Down the Their 100 Finest Songs features Beviglia’s list of the best songs in the band’s unparalleled oeuvre. Ranked in descending order from #100 to #1, each song is accompanied by a lengthy essay providing information on the song’s writing and recording, context on where it falls within the band’s timeline, and the author’s analysis and explanation why it deserves its position in this hallowed canon.

Every fan of the Beatles, from attendees at their first U.S.tour to the newest generation's devotees, will find this collection an informative, insightful, and entertaining adventure. Not only will it reveal little-known facts, but it just may start some arguments and settle a few debates.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

218 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2017

Reviews

[Tom Stamper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beviglia finds some interesting stories to go along with the songs as he counts down. You won't agree with the top ten. There was at least one song in here that was new to me. It's the kind of book you can read in a day or here and there for months.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read...although I didn't agree on the order, it was fun and interesting to see the songs described in such detail. Made me get out the old vinyl and spin the tunes again....

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another counting down of Beatles songs. Pretty entertaining.

[Marge Lemke · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read for every Beatles fan

Very interesting info about many of their songs I came away from this book with a greater appreciation than I had before

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not merely a book of one man's list of favorite Beatles' songs. Rather, this is an in depth look at each of the chosen songs, with detailed discussions of the instrumentation, recording techniques, writing, and historical significance. Very well done!