The Solo Success of The Beatles: Number One Hits Outside Group Work
Introduction to the Fab Four's Solo Success
The magic of The Beatles is not just confined to their notorious group work; each member also achieved remarkable success as solo artists. This article delves into the details of how many 'Number One Hits' each Beatles member had outside their group work, showcasing their individual talents and the music industry's recognition of their solo efforts.
Paul McCartney: The Dominant Solo Success
Of the four members, Paul McCartney remains the most successful as a solo artist. This section will present a comprehensive analysis of his solo hits, providing valuable insights into his artistic journey post-Beatles.
Paul McCartney's Impact
Paul McCartney has had a total of 21 Number One hit singles across 59 charts worldwide, making him the most prolific among the Fab Four.
Paul McCartney's Selection of Hits
Another Day (1971) - Australia/ Ireland Linda McCartney - Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey (1971) - Canada/ New Zealand/ USA Give Ireland Back To The Irish (1972) - Ireland My Love (1973) - USA Band On The Run (1974) - Canada/ New Zealand/ USA Listen To What The Man Said (1975) - Canada/ USA Silly Love Songs (1976) - Canada/ Ireland/ USA Mull Of Kintyre (1977) - UK* With A Little Luck (1978) - Canada/ USA Coming Up (1980) - Canada/ USA Ebony And Ivory (1982) - UK* Say Say (Ignore Me) (1983) - Norway/ USA Pipes Of Peace (1983) - Ireland/ UK Do They Know It’s Christmas (1984, part of Band Aid) - UK/ Australia/ Belgium/ Canada/ West Germany/ Ireland/ Netherlands/ New Zealand/ Norway Let It Be (1987, part of Ferry Aid) - UK/ Norway Ferry Cross The Mersey (1989, charity record for Hillsborough disaster fund) - UK/Ireland Do They Know It’s Christmas 2.0 (2004, part of Band Aid 20) - UK/ Canada/ Italy/ Spain I Want To Come Home (2010) - Russia Ain’t He Heavy - He’s My Brother (with The Justice Collective) (2012) - UK FourFiveSeconds (with Rihanna and Kanye West) (2015) - Australia/ Ireland I Don’t Know (2018) - Czech RepublicRingo Starr: The Jovial Side
While not as prolific as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr had a respectable chain of Number One hits under his belt. His success as a solo artist is also a testament to his unique musical talent and appeal.
Ringo Starr's Hit Singles
It Don’t Come Easy (1971) - Canada Photograph (1973) - Australia/ Canada/ US/ New Zealand Your’e Sixteen (1973) - USA/ New Zealand No No Song (1975) - Canada The Official BBC Children in Need (part of Peter Kay’s Animated All Star Band) (2009) - UKGeorge Harrison: The Soulful Sound
As a seeker of Eastern musical influences, George Harrison was known for his soulful and reflective approach to music. This section will present his Number One hit singles in the 1970s and early 80s, together with his re-issued success.
George Harrison's Notable Hits
My Sweet Lord (1970) - UK/Australia/Canada/West Germany/Ireland/Netherlands/Norway/Sweden/Switzerland/USA What Is Life (1971) - Australia/ Switzerland Give Me Love, Give Me Peace On Earth (1973) - USA Got My Mind Set On You (1987) - Australia/ Canada/Ireland/USA My Sweet Lord (Re-Issue) (2002) - UK/CanadaJohn Lennon: The Socially Conscious
While not as prolific in Number One hits as his bandmates, John Lennon's solo career was marked by socially conscious and impactful tracks that resonated with listeners worldwide.
John Lennon's Notable Songs
Give Peace A Chance (1969) - Netherlands Imagine (1971) - UK/Australia/Canada Whatever Gets You Through The Night (1974) - USA Just Like Starting Over (1980) - UK/Australia/Austria/Canada/Switzerland/USA Woman (1981) - UK/CanadaConclusion
The success of each Beatles member in the solo music industry greatly contributed to the enduring legacy of the band. This article has highlighted the number one hit singles each member achieved, ranking Paul's success as the most significant.
* Note that Mull of Kintyre was not officially ranked as a number one in some charts, but it still holds a prominent place in music history for McCartney.