The “perfect” Beatles song, according to Martin Short
One of the greatest songs that represents The Beatles’ ambition as a band is ‘The Inner Light’. It was a B-side the band released towards the end of the 1960s, and it touched upon psychedelia in a way that not many of their other songs did. The track was the B-side to ‘Lady Madonna’ and highlighted how easily they could step into the world of psychedelic music and make it their own.
This song highlights The Beatles’ ambition well because it’s so far removed from many of their other recordings. The band was tasked with constantly writing songs, and therefore, they were happy to let their influences shapeshift depending on what they were listening to and what kind of music excited them. ‘The Inner Light’ represents their unwavering attitude toward creativity.
Of course, the greatest Beatles song is a debate that will linger on so long as there are ears to hear the music. The band’s versatility and exciting approach to sound mean that there are plenty of different styles of music for people to listen to, and these different styles appeal to different people.
For instance, Graham Nash was a big fan of the band’s song ‘A Day In The Life’ because it experimentally explored rhythm and melody. “It’s one of the greatest songs ever written. It’s one of the most adventurous songs ever written and recorded,” he said, “I don’t think there’ll ever be another Beatles; I think that the universe put those four kids in the right place at the right time and gave them the right talent, to be able to move the hearts, minds and spirits of billions of people, and continue to this day.”
He was always incredibly moved by the simplicity of their songs and how they used that simplicity in a bid to create structure and melody unlike any other band could. “With all due respect, within this Western scale of music, there’s what? Twelve notes?” he said, “Are you kidding me? The Beatles were unbelievable, and I think we all knew it.”
The band’s range means that whenever somebody is asked to pick their favourite song, a Beatles track manages to find its way into their mind. Martin Short is a good example of this, as when he was asked to choose his five favourite songs, he knew there would be a Beatles track included, but the question was which Beatles song it would be. He could have chosen a psychedelic track, one of their simpler offerings or even one of the upbeat and catchy songs they championed at the beginning of their career. Ultimately, he opted for the classic, ‘Ticket To Ride’.
“It’s interesting to do five tracks of your whole life. For me, you have to pick something from the Beatles and, to me, ‘Ticket to Ride’,” he said, “I don’t think there’s any single that better reflects the ambition, tension and pure Pop genius that makes them the Beatles.”
He continued, “I think the bridge is brilliant, you know, the band suddenly, frantically picks up the pace and the tune becomes precociously groovy even as it reflects the nervous desperation lurking beneath the soaring melody. I just think it’s one of the great, perfect Beatles songs.”
