3 Artists Who Owe Their No. 1 Hits to The Beatles

The Beatles have the most No. 1 hits in Billboard Hot 100 history, with 20 songs topping the chart and 34 others reaching the Top 10. Their influence continues decades later, not only through their own recordings but also through other artists who found chart-topping success by recording Beatles-related material. In several cases, these No. 1 hits wouldn’t have existed without help—directly or indirectly—from The Beatles. Whether through covers or unreleased material written by members of the group, these three artists owe their chart-topping singles to the legendary band.

“A World Without Love” – Peter and Gordon

Although The Beatles never released “A World Without Love,” Paul McCartney wrote it at age 16. Since the band decided not to use the song, McCartney offered it to Peter and Gordon, a pop duo featuring Peter Asher—whose sister was McCartney’s girlfriend at the time.

Released in 1964, the single became a worldwide hit. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and also topped the UK Singles Chart. The success launched Peter and Gordon’s career and remains their best-known track, all thanks to McCartney’s early songwriting.

“With a Little Help From My Friends” – Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker’s version of “With a Little Help From My Friends,” originally sung by Ringo Starr on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, was released in 1968 and took on a completely different tone. Cocker turned the upbeat Beatles tune into a soulful, blues-rock anthem.

Though it peaked at only No. 68 in the U.S., it reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 1968. The song became a major moment in Cocker’s career and was later performed at Woodstock, helping solidify his place in rock history.

“Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” – Elton John

Elton John scored his third No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975 by covering The Beatles’ 1967 track “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.” His version featured a slightly slower tempo and a more spacey, layered production that fit the song’s psychedelic roots.

What makes this cover even more interesting is that John Lennon contributed backing vocals and guitar under the name Dr. Winston O’Boogie. The single stayed at No. 1 for two weeks in January 1975 and remains one of Elton John’s biggest commercial hits in the U.S.