The Beatles didn’t necessarily invent the music video.
But they were among the bands who put together promotional films of them playing their music, and looking back, some of them are great. Even after the legendary band broke up, the Beatles put together music videos, including one for their final single, Now and Then that dropped the day after the song did.
So I decided it was a good time to rank their ten best, and the definition of “music video” is a rough one here — it could be one of their taped performances that was broadcast to the world or a YouTube video they put out in the 21st century.
Either way, here are their 10 best:
13
Now and Then
Working in shots of the late John Lennon and George Harrison, both looking serious and goofing around, with the other two living bandmates matches the sadness of the song.
12
Penny Lane
Just the lads, casually hanging out in Liverpool. Also, riding horses.
11
Don't Bring Me Down
It’s just the Beatles, performing live for the last time, on the roof. It doesn’t matter that it’s nothing more than that, because it’s just incredible.
10
Paperback Writer
It’s moody, it’s cool, it’s simple, and it’s clearly a blueprint for how to do a music video with ease.
9
Rain
See above. It’s just cooler.
8
Hello, Goodbye
It’s just so damn fun! The band is at its goofiest, wearing the Sgt. Pepper uniforms, waving at the camera, John’s mugging, Ringo’s wiggling his head … you have to love it.
7
Hey Bulldog
The song is so good, but also, it’s extremely cool to see the Beatles doing their thing in the studio.
6
A Day in the Life
Obviously, the greatest song the band ever recorded. This video matches the trippy quality and shows some of the recording of it (plus, some celebrity cameos!).
5
Revolution
It’s half a live performance — there’s a backing track, but the Beatles are singing. Given that they stopped touring for the last half of their careers, this feels like what it would have been like if they hadn’t.
4
Something
A sweet video showing all the Beatles and their then-spouses. Tell me it doesn’t bring a smile to your face.
3
Hey Jude
Is there anything better than when everyone comes out and starts singing along? Nope.
2
Free as a Bird
There are so many references in this video to Beatles songs that you have to watch it dozens of times to catch them all.
1
Strawberry Fields Forever
It’s art. That’s it.
