# What is the best song off of "Past Masters, Vol. 2" (The Beatles)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 15, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278 "2010-10-15T18:50:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/1 "2010-10-15T18:50:15Z")
Previous polls (still active): [**Please Please Me**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=577382), [**With the Beatles**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=577641), **[A Hard Day’s Night](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=577812)**, [**Beatles For Sale**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578134), [**Help!**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578532), [**Rubber Soul**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=578957), [**Revolver**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579255), [\*\*Sgt. Pepper’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579797%5B/url)\*\*, **[Magical Mystery Tour/Yellow Submarine](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579983)**, **The White Album** (Discs [One](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=580335) and [Two](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=580336)), \*\*[Abbey Road\*\*](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=580794), **[Let It Be](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=581179)**, and **Past Masters, [Vol. 1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=581569)**. I’ve added a couple of Anthology songs to round out the major discography. There can be only one–which would you choose? ---
**Author:** ![Tanbarkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@Tanbarkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanbarkie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/2 "2010-10-15T18:57:56Z")
Honestly, “Paperback Writer” is one of my favorite songs of all time. But… but… “Rain.” ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/3 "2010-10-15T18:59:17Z")
I love the Ballad of John and Yoko. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/4 "2010-10-15T19:16:18Z")
I voted for “Day Tripper” and I never imagined I’d be in the majority (probably for another five minutes). “Paperback Writer” is also a great song, as are both “Hey Jude” and this “Revolution.” “Day Tripper,” though, has a fantastic combination of lyrics and urgent guitar work. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/5 "2010-10-15T19:28:14Z")
Super tough one, but I went with “Rain”. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/6 "2010-10-15T19:30:49Z")
“Revolution” is one of the Beatles top five songs. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/7 "2010-10-15T20:01:47Z")
This is one of the tougher ones, but I went with _Rain_. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/8 "2010-10-15T21:29:44Z")
Sorry, I can’t seem to find the “all of the above” button. This is just an impossible choice. I’m going to have to toss a coin–or three coins, maybe I should consult the I Ching–or do “Eeeny Meeny Miney Moe.” ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/9 "2010-10-16T01:48:45Z")
If it has to be one, “We Can Work It Out.” Short in the running for the Beatles’ finest two and a half minutes ever. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/10 "2010-10-16T02:40:24Z")
Every time I hear “Lady Madonna,” it becomes an earworm for the next 3 days. The song is so damn infectious (in a good way). From the very first measure it’s got me tapping my toes and nodding my head and singing along with the piano & bass. And superb lyrics too. About 5 or 6 of the other songs tie for 2nd place. ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/11 "2010-10-16T03:16:02Z")
_Paperback Writer_. I love the guitar riff, the harmony, the lyrics, the tempo. Everything about it really. But I have to say _Revolution_, _Day Tripper_ and \*Rain \*are the runners up. I could have chosen any of those four and been happy with my choice. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/12 "2010-10-16T03:20:59Z")
Revolution. It’s 42 years ago this month that I saw the video on the Smothers Brothers show. After seeing Hey Jude the week before, it was like icing on the cake! ---
**Author:** ![I-VI-ii-V](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@I-VI-ii-V](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I-VI-ii-V)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/13 "2010-10-16T03:46:50Z")
A lot of good tunes on this collection. “Paperback Writer/Rain” and “Revolution” are great. I appreciate “Let It Be” a lot more than I used to, but I like George’s solo on the **Let It Be** album. I had to go with “Don’t Let Me Down” for one of John Lennon’s most emotional vocal performances. McCartney’s backing vocals and bass playing also add a lot to this one. And Billy Preston on the Fender Rhodes. Sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/14 "2010-10-16T10:31:44Z")
Wait a minute, Free as a Bird is on it now? I don’t really think of that as a Beatles song. Although, I am quite fond of Real Love. Anyway, including complilation albums like this seems like cheating, because of all the singles on them. Paperback Writer is blindingly good, Revolution, Day Tripper and Don’t Let Me Down are great, and I love love love You Know My Name (Look Up the Number). But it has to be **Hey Jude**. ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/15 "2010-10-16T11:25:55Z")
Of course its Hey Jude, and that’s just a shame for the sake of all the other songs that would win any other conceivable contest. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/16 "2010-10-16T15:27:31Z")
> [@nachtmusick](#): > > Of course its Hey Jude, and that’s just a shame for the sake of all the other songs that would win any other conceivable contest. Agreed. There are some **huge** songs on here. But “Hey Jude” is just so deservedly iconic. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/17 "2010-10-17T11:36:05Z")
weekend bump ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/18 "2010-10-17T13:05:46Z")
Sheesh, this could almost a be a list of The Beatles’ Weakest Hits (although, since it is them, there is still some great stuff there). I voted for “Don’t Let Me Down,” but more because I think it is under-appreciated than because it is clearly the best. It does see to me to one of John’s most emotional performances, and is amazing in how it manges to pack such a lot of feeling into such a minimalist lyric. It foreshadows the best aspects of John’s solo work. “We Can Work It Out,” “Paperback Writer,” “Lady Madonna,” and “The Ballad of John and Yoko” were my other real contenders, although I do also have a soft spot for “Old Brown Shoe” (slight, but fun). “Revolution” is a decent but overrated song, not nearly as profound as some people seem to think, and anyway, I prefer the album version (“Revolution #1”). I must admit though that I have never really understood the popularity of the trite and mawkish “Hey Jude,” which I find faintly cringeworthy (the only bit I really like is Paul scatting during the fade), and I am surprised that the dull drone of “Rain” is getting so many votes. The rest is pure filler. ---
**Author:** ![deadindays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@deadindays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deadindays)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/19 "2010-10-18T13:08:48Z")
Had to choose Rain. This was a tough one. ---
**Author:** ![Tanbarkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@Tanbarkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanbarkie)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278/20 "2010-10-18T13:22:20Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Sheesh, this could almost a be a list of The Beatles’ Weakest Hits (although, since it is them, there is still some great stuff there). I voted for “Don’t Let Me Down,” but more because I think it is under-appreciated than because it is clearly the best. It does see to me to one of John’s most emotional performances, and is amazing in how it manges to pack such a lot of feeling into such a minimalist lyric. It foreshadows the best aspects of John’s solo work. > > “We Can Work It Out,” “Paperback Writer,” “Lady Madonna,” and “The Ballad of John and Yoko” were my other real contenders, although I do also have a soft spot for “Old Brown Shoe” (slight, but fun). “Revolution” is a decent but overrated song, not nearly as profound as some people seem to think, and anyway, I prefer the album version (“Revolution #1”). > > I must admit though that I have never really understood the popularity of the trite and mawkish “Hey Jude,” which I find faintly cringeworthy (the only bit I really like is Paul scatting during the fade), and I am surprised that the dull drone of “Rain” is getting so many votes. > > The rest is pure filler. This is the wrongest post that was ever posted. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-off-of-past-masters-vol-2-the-beatles/557278.md?page=2)