10 Beatles Songs That Never Should’ve Been Made

The Beatles’ music is remarkably timeless. With blends of musical innovation and a dash of charm, many of their tracks still resonate with listeners today. From their rock-and-roll beginnings to their boundary-pushing later years, their albums brim with creativity. Yet, no band is flawless. Among the songs are a few duds that leave listeners scratching their heads.

Some tracks may have worked better in the ’60s when cultural norms were different, but others were just bad ideas from the start. Whether it’s cringe-worthy lyrics, odd production choices, or filler tracks that don’t hold up, these songs make listeners wonder what the Fab Four were even thinking. Let’s look into ten Beatles songs that probably should’ve stayed in the archives.

1. “The Long and Winding Road” – Let It Be
Paul McCartney’s heartfelt ballad deserved better than the overblown orchestration it received. Phil Spector’s lush string arrangements smothered the song’s raw emotion, leaving McCartney fuming. To make matters worse, John Lennon’s clunky bass playing in earlier takes didn’t help the song’s reputation.

Years later, Let It Be…Naked gave fans a stripped-down version closer to McCartney’s vision. While the song itself is beautiful, the drama behind the scenes made it a sour note in the band’s final days.

2. “You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)” – B-side
The Beatles had a knack for humor, but this track kind of took that too far. Despite featuring Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones on saxophone, the song ended up dragging on like an odd mishmash of comedy and music.

Intended as a joke, it ended up on the B-side of Let It Be. It was quite an unfortunate farewell gesture for a legendary band. While it shows the group having fun, listeners are often left questioning why this track was even added to the album.

3. “Mr. Moonlight” – Beatles for Sale
Beatles for Sale delivered several unforgettable tracks, but “Mr. Moonlight” isn’t one of them. Lennon may have tried to passionately cover this song but overall, it feels half-hearted instrumentally.

The song’s odd organ solo sticks out like a sore thumb, and the overall vibe lacks the energy fans expected from the Fab Four. Amid an album full of charm, this one feels like a misstep.

4. “All Together Now” – Yellow Submarine
Paul McCartney wrote this cheerful ditty for kids, but it’s almost “too simple”—even for a children’s song. Repeating “All together now” ad nauseam, it feels more like a nursery rhyme than a Beatles track.

While “Yellow Submarine” charmed audiences, this song feels like filler, hammering the same line into listeners’ heads. The Beatles were capable of far more engaging tunes, even for younger audiences.

5. “You Can’t Do That” – A Hard Day’s Night
This song’s groovy rhythm is overshadowed by John Lennon’s possessive and jealous lyrics. The narrative of a controlling boyfriend warning his partner not to talk to other men feels dated—and more than a little unsettling.

Even though it grooves musically, the aggressive tone detracts listeners from enjoying the song. Lennon later shares remorse for his behavior and sheds light on the immaturity that this song exudes.

6. “Another Girl” – Help!
Paul McCartney’s upbeat melody masks the biting tone of this song. Written about moving on to “another girl,” the lyrics come off as vindictive rather than celebratory.

To make matters worse, the Help! film features an uncomfortable sequence where McCartney uses a bikini-clad woman as a makeshift guitar. Even for the ‘60s, the optics weren’t great.

7. “Little Child” – With The Beatles
Clocking in at under two minutes, this song feels like a placeholder. While Lennon’s harmonica solo tries to inject some life, the song itself lacks substance.

“Little Child” feels more like an uninspired Cavern Club leftover than a track worthy of The Beatles’ second album. With stronger material in their repertoire, this one could’ve stayed in the vault.

8. “Wild Honey Pie” – The White Album
The White Album gave us classics like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” but also experimental oddities like “Wild Honey Pie.” Paul McCartney’s off-key vocals and random strumming make this one hard to sit through.

A track of less than a minute, it serves as a weird interlude and feels more like a half-baked idea than a proper track. The White Album is known for its eclectic mix, but this one could’ve been left out without much fuss.

9. “Run for Your Life” – Rubber Soul
Though Rubber Soul marked a turning point in The Beatles’ sound in songwriting. However, this closing track feels really out of place. Lennon’s lyrics of the song talk about threatening to kill a partner for infidelity are jarring and unsettling.

Even Lennon himself later dismissed the song as garbage. For an album that’s said to be full of maturity and introspection, this tune’s regressive message sticks out like a sore thumb.

10. “Revolution 9” – The White Album
The Beatles’ most experimental track, “Revolution 9,” is an eight-minute sound collage of chaotic loops and spoken-word snippets. While it’s meant to evoke the upheaval of a revolution. But the song was likely more alienating than enlightening.

This track was placed near the end of The White Album which somehow disrupted the flow of an otherwise brilliant album. While it might intrigue avant-garde enthusiasts, most listeners probably skip it altogether.