4 of the Best Covers of Paul McCartney-Penned Beatles Songs

Paul McCartney is credited with some of the most beloved Beatles songs of all time. His songwriting catalog while with the iconic group seems too vast to be true. His fellow musicians have taken note of that fact more than a few times. Check out four of the best covers of McCartney-penned Beatles songs, below.

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[RELATED: Here’s Why Paul McCartney Refused to Play Beatles Songs With Wings]

4 of the Best Covers of Paul McCartney-Penned Beatles Songs

1. “Let It Be” (Bill Withers)

Bill Withers turned “Let It Be” from a somber ballad to a jaunting gospel track. The tempo is given a swing, which stands in stark contrast to McCartney’s straightforward piano chords. As always, Withers’ vocals stand supreme. Though we’re partial to the original, Withers did wonders with this Beatles hit.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

2. “Yesterday” (Aretha Franklin)

What song could Aretha Franklin not tackle? In our research, there is none. Routinely, the soul icon would take a song and up the ante, delivering something that rivals the original. Though the beauty of McCartney’s version of “Yesterday” lies in its simplicity, we’re not afraid to admit that Franklin’s stunning vocal delivery stirs something in us that few of her peers could muster.

Yesterday
Love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday

3. “Blackbird” (Crosby, Stills & Nash)

We love it when one iconic group pays homage to another. We, as fans, can relate to their admiration. Crosby, Stills & Nash once paid tribute to the Beatles by covering “Blackbird,” McCartney’s politically-tinged track about racial injustice. Given CSN’s history with strong messages, this song seemed like the apt choice for them to take on.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

4.  “Hey Jude” (Wilson Pickett)

Wilson Pickett’s vocals cut right to the soul. His perfect mix of gravelly belts and smooths low notes does wonders behind the microphone. McCartney does a good job of imbuing some soulful elements to “Hey Jude,” but Pickett takes it all the way home. Never has this song sounded as powerful as it does in the cover, below.

Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

(Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)