It's always tricky choosing the best ten of anything, especially when it comes to music, and Beates music at that. However we are pretty certain that this list is about as good as one can get. We even reckon some of these are better than the original versions.
1. With a Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker Gravel-voiced Cocker with an unforgettable rendition of the Sergeant Pepper album track. Revived famously as the theme tune to nostalgia-com The Wonder Years
2. We Can Work It Out - Stevie Wonder A deceptively intricate tune about trying to patch up a relationship is infused with Motown sunshine and harmonicas by Wonder. A soulful toe-tapper from a true legend.
3. Dear Prudence - Siouxsie & the Banshees The original featured on the Beatles' White Album in 1968. The sinister darkness of the Banshees' cover and Siouxsie's haunting voice make it a classic.
4. Ticket To Ride - The Carpenters Jangly guitars are replaced with lush swirling strings and the heartfelt longing in Karen Carpenter's voice expressing the sad sentiment of the song. A cosy warm blanket of a tune.
5. Got To Get You Into My Life - Earth Wind & Fire The Elements come out with all horns blaring, injecting a breezy swing to an already positive song. So good was the cover that it earned EWF a Grammy in 1978
6. Something - Shirley Bassey Bassey added her own dramatic Midas touch to this George Harrison-penned love song. 'Something' is the second most covered Beatles track after 'Yesterday'.
7. Here Comes The Sun - Nina Simone Just when you think the song can't get sunnier, along comes Simone with her warm voice and delicate ivory-tinkling. If the original is like the dawn, Nina's version is more a summer picnic on the heath at sundown.
8. A Hard Day's Night - Peter Sellers A hilariously hammy rendition in the style of Laurence Oliver in Shakespeare's Richard III. Sellers scored a Top 20 when it was released as a single in 1965.
9. Strawberry Fields Forever - Candy Flip Reworked during the 'Second Summer of Love', two blokes with bowl haircuts and baggy jeans throw in Ecstasy and the then-ubiquitous Funky Drummer beat to a pretty faithful version of the original.
10. Come Together - Michael Jackson This track appeared in Jackson's film Moonwalker. McCartney's bass has turned into electro-slap,the drums are 'Bad' and the vocals have more'uh' noises than a porn film,that said,boy,it works!
More information
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