John: “Instant Karma”
[iframe_loader width=”480″ height=”360″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/0fpxUytsv6U” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen]
I’d put “Oh Yoko” up there too. “Imagine” has a gorgeous melody, but the lyrics are like something an eighth grader would write.
Paul: “Live And Let Die”
[iframe_loader width=”480″ height=”360″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/swVoXHVW-jI” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen]
A close second: “Maybe I’m Amazed.”
George: “I’d Have You Anytime”
[iframe_loader width=”640″ height=”360″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/LPrHaB8KCIk” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen]
Kind of a toss-up with “Isn’t It A Pity.”
Ringo: um, I dunno, maybe “Pure Gold”
[iframe_loader width=”480″ height=”360″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/WcIWwIedymE” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen]
I don’t know many post-Beatles ex-beatles songs, but my favorite is by far Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey with band on the run a close second. Wow, I just contradicted myself back there, but it sounds good to me haha.
“Imagine” is an awful song, insipid, with a rolling, stupefying non-melody that will eat a corner of your brain if you are subjected, as I am, to it as endless loops to begin every atheist podcast that I subscribe to.
That said, I fully enjoyed your exposition on Manu Dibango’s “Soul Makossa” as referenced on the Sound of Plaid.
Best solo ex-Beatle work? Nothing by John Lennon or George Harrison, hackwork all across the board, and McCartney is as stale as there could be – must be Ringo’s “It Don’t Come Easy.”
I’ve got to say, I love your blog but not these choices. John Lennon: arguably his best work was in double fantasy and in particular songs like beautiful boy, starting over, watching the wheels. it’s not that i don’t like instant karma, but it doesn’t have the depth of those songs nor the raw power of one of his first solo tunes, cold turkey.
and paul mccartney? live and let die? when you have maybe i’m amazed, bluebird, band on the run, jet, coming up. all those songs and you pick the one that he did for a james bond film. not that its a bad song but mccartney’s an embarrassment of riches and i’m surprised at your pick. as you probably know, it’s ‘maybe’ i’m amazed, not ‘baby’.
as for george harrison, all things must pass has some great songs that you glossed over. even if we’d call it a ‘cover’ song, my sweet lord is an amazing tune. and wah wah, what is life, and if not for you are great as well.
again, i love your blog and i appreciate this entry even if i disagree.