One

Story Behind the Album

In 2000 The Beatles released their very own sort of "starter kit" called "One".  This album does not feature any new songs, but does include the 27 number one songs of the Beatles career (a very impressive feat considering they only recorded for 7 years).  The album sales have been phenomenol as it went to number one, and stayed there for quite a few weeks.   It's quite remarkable since the music is over 30 years old, and all the songs have been released before.   The album had been in the making for a bit of time, and was hyped up as being able to outsell the best selling world album of Micheal Jackson's "Thriller" which has more than 45 million copies sold worldwide.  "One" has gained the record as being the fastest selling album ever however, and in time is a good candidate for passing "Thriller". "One" may be a great starter kit for many fans, but to many fans, especially myself, narrowing the Beatles down to one disc of songs is almost an injustice.  It's sort of a smidgeon of a glimpse at all of the great music they have had.  I know a fair system was determined for choosing what song goes on the album, a determined criteria, rather than an opinion, but many songs that are some of my favorites are missing.  For example, it is unnatural for me to hear "Penny Lane" without preceding or following "Strawberry Fields Forever".  These songs are a package deal.  I'm the same way with many other songs, though these singles were not double-A sides like "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever".  In the 60s, "Hello, Goodbye" may have been the stronger song, but now, "I Am the Walrus" it's corresponding B-side, is more known and played, and it was excluded, as was the controversial, "Revolution", a b-side to "Hey Jude".  "Rain" was missing as well, a b-side to "Paperback Writer".  There are many great songs on there, a lot from the earlier days, which are great to hear.  I think the best thing about the album is that the songs are listed chronologically, so one can hear the progression with the music.  It's truly amazing how fair they came, from the humble start of "Love Me Do" (the only song that was NOT a number one, which is confusing to me) all the way to the beautiful and mature "The Long and Winding Road", "One" takes the listener through it all. "One" is a great Beatles album, and I certainly hope it becomes the best selling album in the world.   It's simply amazing, and took so many by surprise with all the music genres we have now-a-days, that a little Beatle "starter kit" went to number and remained there for quite some time.  Despite it's shortcomings, I highly recommend it (to fanatics especially), and to the just beginning fans (though more expensive I would recommend getting the Greatest Hits 62-66 and 67-70, two double albums before this) for an affordable way to be exposed to the timeless, wonderful music of the world's greatest band.

Track Listing

1. Love Me Do 2. From Me to You 3. She Loves You 4. I Want To Hold Your Hand 5. Can't Buy Me Love 6. A Hard Day's Night 7. I Feel Fine 8. Eight Days A Week 9. Ticket to Ride 10. Help! 11. Yesterday 12. Day Tripper 13. We Can Work It Out 14. Paperback Writer 15. Yellow Submarine 16.  Eleanor Rigby 17. Penny Lane 18. All You Need is Love 19. Hello, Goodbye 20. Lady Madonna 21. Hey Jude 22. Get Back 23. The Ballad of John and Yoko 24. Something [Harrison] 25. Come Together 26. Let It Be 27. The Long And Winding Road

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