3 Essential 2-Minute Classic Rock Songs From The Beatles

In the early days of rock and roll, songs were shorter. It took tracks like Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” which was released in 1965 and was over six minutes long, to change the face of popular rock radio to help allow longer songs into the mix. Indeed, in the early days, tunes were often around two minutes. Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus. In and out and onto the next.

Here below, we wanted to explore three such examples. Not only that, but these three examples come from one of the first hit rock groups, the Liverpool, England-born Fab Four known as The Beatles. These are three essential two-minute songs from the former Mop Tops.

[RELATED: 3 Eternal British Invasion Standalone Singles That Will Play Forever]

“From Me to You,” (Single, 1963)

This standalone single released by the Fab Four in 1963 clocks in at less than two minutes. It’s one of the first hit songs from The Beatles as it peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles chart. With John Lennon singing on the acoustic-driven track, the tune is an example of both The Beatles’ early catchy sound as well as that of early rock itself. Cute, quaint love songs all about simple connections. No wonder they were so short, there wasn’t any room for big nuanced ideas! Indeed, on this tune, Lennon sings,

‘Ive got everything that you want
Like a heart that’s oh so true
Just call on me and I’ll send it along
With love, from me to you

I’ve got arms that long to hold you
And keep you by my side
I’ve got lips that long to kiss you
And keep you satisfied (oh)

If there’s anything that you want
If there’s anything I can do
Just call on me and I’ll send it along
With love, from me to you

“Why Don’t We Do It in the Road” from The Beatles (1968)

The Beatles are one of the most changed bands in their short history in the 1960s. Just five years after their bubblegum pop song above, they released their psychedelic self-titled double-album. And on it was this song “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road,” which clocks in at way less than two minutes. On the silly, piano-driven song, Paul McCartney sings the same question over and over. It’s as if he heard the phrase tossed off by someone and then decided to use it in a rock song. What is “it”? It sounds like sex but it could be anything! Either way, McCartney sings on this short one,

Why don’t we d-do it in the road? Mm
Why don’t we do it in the road? Ah
Why don’t we do it in the road? Mm
Why don’t we do it in the road? Mm
No one will be watching us
Why don’t we do it in the road?

“I’ll Follow the Sun” from Beatles for Sale (1964)

Another song well below the two-minute mark, this sweet love song is about departure. Indeed, the singer says he has to leave and he’ll follow the sun away. Don’t follow him, of course. He is a traveler and has to leave everything behind, even the one he loves. On the ballad, McCartney sings lovingly and remorsefully, noting now is the time to go, for it may rain tomorrow. But for now, the sun is lighting his way. He offers,

One day you’ll look to see I’ve gone
For tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun
Some day you’ll know I was the one
But tomorrow may rain, so
I’ll follow the sun

And now the time has come
And so my love I must go
And though I lose a friend
In the end you’ll know
Oooh

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