I went on Amazon yesterday to purchase The Beatles Stereo Box Set and was informed it was still on back order. Borders noted that the set will be available on a limited basis in October on a “first-come, first-served” basis. The Mono version, which sells for $30 more than the Stereo version, is also on back order. So the Beatles obviously remain popular.

One topic I have always found interesting is the distinction between Lennon’s songs and McCartney’s songs. Of the 200 plus songs the Beatles wrote, perhaps about 30 had some form of  collaboration between the two, with maybe 20 being jointly written completely. Yet, I have always found this distinction very misleading. Their influence on each other was so deep that their individual songs really were effectively collaborations. Besides the obvious difference in sound between, say, Wings and McCartney written Beatles songs, I have constructed a “Beatles” trivia quiz below to demonstrate this point.  I assert that we think we can tell the difference because most of us know the songs well. But in reality, they were highly influenced by the other and are more similar than we sometimes realize.

I think the quiz is of high difficulty.  Of course, for some it may seem easy. Listed below are 12 YouTube links to well known Beatles’ songs. The object of the game is to guess the song writer. Being statistically oriented, to pass one needs to beat the “coin flip test.” The probability of guessing nine or more correctly by randomness alone is about 7% (I am ignoring  some factors–see below).  So 75% will be considered passing. My guess is the average score of all participants will be lower than that. You can cheat, of course, and do better.

Some hints.

One of the 12 songs was written jointly by Lennon and McCartney. I doubt anyone will guess this one. One song was written by neither. Guessing “neither” correctly results in a full point. Guessing “who” correctly gets another point; guessing “who” incorrectly subtracts 1/2 point.  Three of the songs were written where, for example,  one of the two was dominant with an “assist” by the other. These songs are also worth double points. These are usually listed as follows: “Lennon; with McCartney,” or vice versa. This means a total of 16 points can be earned and 9 still be passing. If one guesses “Lennon,” but it was really “Lennon; with McCartney,” one still gets a full point. A guess of an “assist” which is wrong subtracts 1/2 point. I doubt many will get extra credit.  Seven of the 12 songs were written by either Lennon or McCartney.

A really good amateur should get 11 points. I assume even a good amateur will not guess the joint song. To achieve 12 or higher means you are either in the business, you cheated, you have a photographic memory, or you are way too into the Beatles. I thought I was a Beatles expert but I would be borderline to pass this. The best I could have possibly done was 11.

Answers to each question can be found at a link provided at the end. Feel free to submit your score.  No cheating! I will attempt to list them from most easy to most difficult, but that is subjective of course. I begin with two very simple ones.

Here we go:

12) “I’ll Be Back”

This song is from Hard Day’s Night.  If you miss this one, then your odds of passing are pretty slim. Still, the sound of this song is very similar to number 11.

11) “Things We Said Today”

Also from Hard Day’s Night.

10) Do You Want to Know a Secret?

Sung by George Harrison on the their first British hit Album “Please Please Me.” Is this a trick by me or a gift?

9) Day Tripper

This song was recorded during the Rubber Soul sessions, but was only released as a single with “We Can Work it Out” as a “double A sided” single.

I’m Happy Just to Dance with You

Also from the album Hard Day’s Night and sung by George Harrison. Is this a trick by me or a gift?

7) If I Fell

Fourth one from the Hard Day’s Night album. Is this a trick by me or a gift?

6) What Goes On

Sung by Ringo on the Rubber Soul album. Is this a trick by me or a gift?

5) Money

Recorded in 1963 and appeared on “The Beatles Second Album.” Is this a trick by me or a gift?

4) Bad To Me

One of three hits by Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, who were managed also by Brian Epstein.  It was recorded in demo form by the Beatles but never released.

3) A World Without Love

Never recorded by the Beatles but was the single biggest hit by the twosome, Peter and Gordon.

2) Good Night

This is the last song from the “White Album.” Ringo sings and is the only Beatle who appears on the song. Is this a trick by me or a gift?

1) I Call Your Name

This song was recorded live in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival by the Mamas and the Papas. The Beatles also previously recorded, and wrote, the song.

For answers to the above questions one can go to this Wikipedia Link—List of The Beatles songs