September 7th, 2011
05:47 PM ET
Beatles ‘1’ is No. 1 – againBeatlemania never really dies, does it? The Beatles album “1,” a collection of the Fab Four’s No. 1 hits that spent eight weeks as the nation’s No. 1 album in 2000 – and was the top-selling CD of the 2000-09 – premiered on iTunes Tuesday. You won’t need eight days a week to predict where it debuted. Yep, in the top spot.
And not just in the United States. “1” also hit No. 1 in Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Mexico, Sweden, Spain, New Zealand and Greece, according to a press release from Capitol/EMI. Not bad for an album of songs that are already available on iTunes, thanks to the release of the Beatles’ entire catalog two years ago. Indeed, the Beatles have proven to be among iTunes’ biggest artists, along with such upstarts as Adele, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Lil Wayne. Worldwide, the band – which broke up more than 40 years ago – has sold more than 9 million songs and 1.5 million albums on the downloading service. Leading the hit parade is nothing new for the Beatles. Over the course of the band’s career, the Liverpudlians had 20 songs and 19 albums hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts – including such post-breakup records as “1967-70” (the “Blue” album), all three “Anthology” CDs and, of course, “1.” Artists will be paying tribute to John, Paul, George and Ringo over the next couple weeks, thanks to a Twitter hashtag - #MyBeatles1 – with which such folks as Coldplay and Foo Fighters will tweet about their favorite Beatles No. 1 single. In a tweet released by the label to CNN.com, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl cast his vote for “Hey Jude”: "Perhaps the greatest rock and roll anthem of all time. The one song that I'd send into space to help the aliens understand the human race.” Coldplay went with “Something”: “Our favourite Beatles song is ‘Something.’ Because just when you thought Lennon and McCartney couldn't get any better, Harrison comes along and writes the best song of the lot.” What’s toppermost of the poppermost on your Beatles chart?
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COME TOGETHER. Enough said.
Wow, wonderful weblog layout! How long have you ever been blogging for? you made running a blog glance easy. The whole glance of your site is fantastic, let alone the content!
Maybe the surest sign of their genius is that it is impossible to name one single "best song". In fact it would be impossible to come up with a top ten-top twenty or top thirty that most could agree on.
I'll add my two cents in and say *my* personal favorite is 'Strawberry Fields Forever'. I aint dumb enough to argue with anyone else's opinion.
Wow, couldn't agree more. Very well said. My personal faves: Here Comes the Sun, Come Together, Help, Hey Jude.
All you need is love, is a philosophy worth living too...
abbey road is still their best album, what a great flow that album has
beatles, Adele, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Lil Wayne. which one seems out of place on this list?
If I had to pick only one, I'd go with Dave Grohl and say Hey Jude. A 3 minute song with a 4 minute singalong that builds and doesn't stop. Musically, lyrically, performance and production...it's pretty flawless.
"Day Tripper" for Harrison's guitar work and Ringo's tambourine. Also for just plain killer lyrics," Yesterday" and "The Long and Winding Road." Best live recording: "Twist and Shout" from "Live at the Hollywood Bowl."
furthernore to chickadee jenny and cranberry sauce...the beatles are in a class that includes Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Hank Williams, Chuck Berry and so many others who will live forever through their music....nobody making music today will ever come close to membership in this elite club...you need to get your ears checked and if thats not the problem then you need serious psychological therapy...I truly feel sorry for you...
"All You Need Is Love... Love... Love" Three acts changed the face of pop music forever... The Beatles no doubt wrote the best tunes. They will be remebered as the twentieth century's version of the Johann Strausses (1 & 2)... Second act has to be Bob Dylan who wrote the finest lyrics od all time... He's the William Shakespeare of our generation. And finally Jimi Hendrix who changed the way a guitar's played forever. No historical comparison.
And the band plays on.
I can't decide – honestly – Blackbird, Let It Be, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, In My Life, Something, While My Guitar Gently Weeps...
The most incredible part about their music is they created the perfect anthem for anything which anyone could face... Their songs can touch you in different ways no matter where you are in life or what you are going through. And you don't even realize it untill you are in that moment, with life going on all around you, that a Beatles song you haven't heard in years all of the sudden starts to play itself in you mind.... That's the magic of the Beatles. That's why they will always be #1
"It's All Too Much" off of Yellow Submarine is the best unknown Beatle song, and my current favorite. "Rain" and "You Never Give Me Your Money" are other perpetual faves.
Who are these other Con-Artists you people are talking about? They are why The Beatles can still outsell anyone today. You know, like SONGS with melodies & guitar riffs. Fab Four Forever!!!
Sad, there are people out there who think Justin Boober has talent.
Wouldn't be as popular today? THEY STILL outsell all these CON-ARTIST'S today. Something about GREAT songs! FAB FOUR FOREVER!!!
i like ANY TIME AT ALL. as well as I'LL BE BACK
Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd wouldn't have even existed if the Beatles hadn't "came along at the right time" as you say. They (Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd) would have been "widely ignored" (especially in the US) if the Beatles hadn't opened the door to British artists and worldwide talent. The Beatles inspired such groups to form bands and write their own songs and play their own instruments. Had the Beatles debuted in 1970 they would have been just as popular and Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, et al, would have still come along later following in their footsteps.
Well said! I agree completely! I am a HUGE fan of Led Zep and Floyd, but clearly, the Beatles blazed the trail that they later followed! Without the fab four, Led Zep, Floyd, Cream, and many others would have NEVER been offered record contracts!
Agree completely! And all the bands that came after them (like Led Zepp, Floyd, Cream, etc – all of whom I love) repeatedly give props to the Beatles as their inspiration for picking up instruments in the first place and as creative inspiration to try and top them each time the Beatles came out with another new innovation such as Rubber Soul, Revolver or Sgt Pepper.
The Beatles came along at the right time. Had they debuted in 1970 they would have been overshadowed by the much deeper and more thought provoking lyrics of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. The Beatles would have been widely ignored.
I disagree! I am also a HUGE fan of Led Zep, Floyd, Moody Blues, Cream, etc. But, I strongly disagree that Zep and Floyd lyrics were any deeper or more thought provoking than the best songs of the fab four! There are many deep and thought provoking songs on Rubber Soul, Sgt. Pepper's, Revolver, White album, Abbey Rd and Let it be! You haven't spent nearly enough time listening to the Fab Four and analyzing their lyrics! As they matured, so did their songs and concepts!
"In My Life," "Here Comes the Sun," and "Rain"
The Beatles at #1 never surprises me. I can't even imagine this lifetime without them.
Oh, by the way I like all of You LOVE The Beatles & all the great songs#1 for Ever.
Alright The Beatles # 1 album is on itunes & can be downloaded to our players, & just to think the album has been in the stores for about 10 years now= Wonders will never cease!!!
This is a re-mastered version of the original 1 CD. I have that one too, but did order this one, because I've run the old one into the ground! Some of the songs actually skip. I didn't think that was possible on a CD...
The tweet from Dave Grohl does not exist ... where did this supposed quote come from?
During their career (1962-1970) 6 Beatles' albums became the best selling album of all time (including "white album" which became the best double-album of all time).
1's still hasn't surpassed "Thriller" as the best selling album of all time, but it's still on track to do just that.
michael jackson wasn't a musician. And only 32 songs are credited 'michael jackson' on his discography. (4 songs on 'thriller')
Michael Jackson was a vocalist and performer. He appreciated creative input from other talented people. That's what he was great at. Not to mention that he was a huge fan of The Beatles. Just like MJ, The Beatles made timeless music. Now that I think about back when in the Jackson 5 days with MJ, Smokey Robinson practically wrote nearly every song that came out of Motown Records. lOl
I have a lot of respect for those guys especially Ringo Starr. He's the maestro of the beat. lOl They will always remain in my playlist. Beatles will always be No. 1.
Yes, Beatles were great but Obla di obla da kill me every time a heard it.
Some of the songs are so stupid and meanless. It is not music to invite you to dance like Michael Jackson was.... the best.
Dear Prudence
sorry but michael jackson will always be number one. no one has sold more albums then him ever. the second closet , ACDC is only at half , HALF of what he sold on one album, Thriller.
beat that.
Where do you get your musical history knowledge? The Beatles are the biggest selling music act in history. Over 1 billion sales. Elvis is stll the biggest selling solo act. Check your guinness book of records.
I bought Thriller many years ego because there was Paul.That was main rason.And i am not only one.
Fake ratings likes to make up fake numbers.
For me, the best Beatles song is between Hey Jude and "You've Got To Hide Your Away", which might be John's best. As for George's best, I disagree with Coldplay – I think "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" takes the cake. The acoustic version on Anthology is haunting, and Clapton's guitar work on the canon version is the best on any Beatles song.
What's the big fuss over the Beatles? I mean, seriously! If they were around today they'd never be popular. Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Britney are true talents who are way more better than the Beatles ever thought of being!!!!
Yes, I'm sure we can all agree that, if they traveled through time, the band would simply throw in the towel when confronted by the fact that "they'd never be popular" in a world populated by such "true talents who are way more better than the Beatles ever thought of being" as Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Britney.
I mean, how can anyone argue with such a logical and well-presented case for "way more better" "true talents"?
I anxiously look forward to the chart-topping career retrospectives that I'm now sure are coming in 2050 for Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Britney.
...Your everything that's wrong with the world.
'True Talent' ? Those s l u t s have the collective talent of one of John Lennon's finger nails.
True talent ?!?
BWAH-HA HA HA HAA !
Seriously ? The Beatles are light years ahead of those late-comers, kid.
Katy Perry?..Rihanna...Britney?...wow....true talents?....man,shouldn't you be in school right now anyway....???..I forgot how well they all play all of their own instruments,and have been relevant for over 50 years....silly me.....
Oh yes, "hit me baby one more time" and "i kissed a girl and I liked it" display so much raw musical talent. Such indepth knowledge of music. Because Katy Perry and Rihanna have composed in album that flows seemlessly into the next song. Oh wait.. that was Abbey Road by the beatles, silly me.
Let me try that again, Rihanna has created songs that have stood the test of time and have actually meant something. Like "imagine", "let it be", or "revolution". Wait... that was the Beatles
Let's see Chickadee. The Beatles were the first band to record predominantly their own songs on their initial couple of albums and then ENTIRELY their own songs on the majority of their recordings as well as playing most of the instruments. With a little help from their friend (pun intended) created 8-track recording. Sgt Pepper so stunned their contemporaries that Brian Wilson shelved Pet Sounds for years because he felt inadequate after listening to that masterpiece. And of course they are still influencing the music industry though they haven't put out any thing significant in forty years. Let's check back win 2050 and see if folks are still talking about Kate Perry and Lady Gaga.
Jenny, If not for the innovations developed by the Beatles (the overlaying of track on track, etc), today's artists wouldn't be around. Where would Britney, Christina, the boy bands and even some rappers be without the autotune. Still waiting for something to make them sound like they have talent. The Beatles helped build the foundation of what music is today.
You're obviously either 12 years old, or you have the mentality of a 12 year old.
Nice Trolling!
Chickadee – You poor young clueless thing. If it wasn't for the music revolution created by the Beatles, your list of current lowly wannabes would not even exist! Katy, Rhianna and Britany WISH they had a fraction the talent shown by the Beatles!
They are not even close! ....
If it wasn't for the Beatles you wouln't be hearing these people today. the Beatles changed pop music and how the public listen to it
oh chickadee, chickadee, chickadee, what to do with you? John, Paul, George and Ringo, if around to day, couldn't hold a candle to Ree Ree's steamy outfits or enlarged rump, or even Britney's flaming blond hair and steam bath antics, or Katy's "Fireworks" world. you are so right! that's true talent! Who cares about the music, right? even if the Betales would sound better than them playing under water. I reckon if they had size 36D's, packing better racks, with modern lip gloss, they would have been so much more popular than they were. Just like your girls!
********Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Britney are true talents who are way more better than the Beatles ever thought of being!!!!
I feel sorry for this chick.
The Beatles revolutionised modern music.
Todays artists (Like the ones above) can be made to sound good, just run em through a computer
instant pop star.........
Just garbage.
But thats the crap being fed to people today, so they dont know any better.
"way more better" pretty much sums it up.
i cant believe you said that...a few years from now nobody will remember those people...the beatles music will be loved and played forever everywhere always...
I couldn't have said it better myself, Chickadee Jenny. But then I'm a notorious troll.
So many fav's, I couldn't just pick 1. I still have my old Beatles albums! Do they still make turn tables?
Yes they do.
I still have mine I bought years ago and it still plays.
My number one wouldn't be one of their singles – though all of those are 'gear' – but rather an LP cut like "I Will" (Paul), "Tomorrow Never Knows" (John), "Long, Long, Long" (George) or "Don't Pass Me By" (Ringo).
In my book, they're *all* Number 1, now and forever.
Yes, what Happy Cow said. Also luv the one by John Lennon that gets played, come Christmas time. You know, the one with the chorus 'War is over...'
Happy XMas (War Is Over)
I agree with your picks & David Grohl's too. Have a moootastic night Happy Cow!
: ) MOOOOOOO : )
I still thunk the LET IT BE album is happy. So is LUCY IN THE SKY and COME TOGETHER. Those are good happy strawberry fields forever songs. Hearing happy songs like those make me so sad the way life and everything in the world has turned out. But I am a happy moo cow in the happy field! : ) : ) mooooo : ) : )
a day in a life
Back when The Beatles first hit America (and The World), we KNEW it would be The Fab Four Forever, and we have been proved to be right!