The Beatles: 1974

Growing up in the 1960's and 1970's I heard a lot of great music. I've been a Beatles fan since 1973 and Klaatu fan since 1977.

The Beatles 1974

1974

In my previous articles, I looked at what songs may have been included in albums had The Beatles stayed together. So far I have looked at 1970; 1971; 1972 and 1973. Now I am going to look at 1974.

John an Paul were very strong in 1974. Paul released his best post-Beatles album with Band on the Run in December 1973. The album reached #1 in 1974 and due to the late release in 1973, I am including it in 1974.

John released one of his best albums with Walls and Bridges in October of 1974. Imagine was John's best album, however, Mind Games along with Walls and Bridges were his next 2 best. Walls and Bridges peaked at #1 in 1974.

Because of the strength of those 2 albums, I have to consider a double album in 1974...so here goes.

George Harrison

George

George released Dark Horse in December 1974. Normally I would wait until 1975 to include songs from that album. Since George released an album in September 1975, I will use Dark Horse for 1974.

Dark Horse and Ding Dong, Ding Dong were the 2 best songs off of George's Dark Horse album. Dark Horse peaked at #15 on the U.S. charts and Ding Dong, Ding Dong made it to #36. George also includes Don't Let Me Wait Too Long from his 1973 album Living In The Material World.

Ringo Starr

Ringo

Ringo released Goodnight Vienna in November 1974, however, i am going to fudge a little here. Ringo did not release an album in 1975 and his album Ringo from 1973 was so good an had so much help from the other Beatles, I will wait until my article about 1975 to include the Goodnight Vienna material.

Ringo released multiple good singles in 1974. Only You (And You Alone0 made it to #6 on the U.S. charts and the No No Song peaked at #3. Unfortunately, those songs can not be used in my scenario because they were not written by any of The Beatles.

Ringo's contributions to this album are Sunshine Life For Me; Six O'Clock and You And Me (Babe). Both songs are from his Ringo album. Sunshine Life For Me was written by George Harrison. Six O'Clock was written by Paul and Linda McCartney. You And Me (Babe) was co-written by George Harrison and Mal Evans.

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John

John released a #1 album in 1974 with Walls and Bridges. Every song from that album could be included, however, the other Beatles also had contributions so there would not be enough room for all of John's songs on this album.

John Lennon's contributions to this album are Whatever Gets You Through the Night which was his first #1 song in the U.S. after the breakup of The Beatles. His other songs are Steel And Glass; Scared; Beef Jerky; Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird Of Paradox); Bless You; Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out); Going Down On Love and #9 Dream. Ironically #9 Dream peaked at #9 on the U.S. charts.

Band on the Run

Paul

Band on the Run was Paul McCartney's best post-Beatles album peaking at #1 on the U.S. charts. Much like John's Walls and Bridges, Band on the Run could easily have every song on this album.

In 1975 John would release an album covering old Rock and Roll songs while Paul would release his second best post-Beatles album, Venus and Mars.

Paul's contributions to this fictitious album would be Band On The Run; Jet; Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five; Picasso's Last Words; Bluebird; Let Me Roll It; Helen Wheels; No Words; Mamunia; Mrs. Vanderbilt and Junior's Farm. Junior's Farm was not on the Band On The Run album, it was only released as a single and peaked at #3 on the U.S. charts.

The single Band On The Run peaked at #1 on the U.S. charts. Helen Wheels peaked at #10 and Jet at #7 on the U.S. charts.

The Album Success

Looking at the double album, there are 26 songs on the album. Ringo has 3 songs as does George, John has 9 songs and Paul has the remaining11 songs.

Of the 26 songs on the album, 8 are top 40 songs including 2 that peaked at #1. That is certainly what you would expect from a Beatle album.

Songs On The Album

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.

© 2020 Art West