5 Hidden Gems From The Beatles’ Later Years

It’s not exactly accurate to call any track by The Beatles a “hidden gem”. They’re the biggest band of the 20th century, and virtually everything they’ve ever released has been picked apart by fans, critics, and music historians alike. Still, there are a few Fab Four songs that don’t get as much love as they deserve. We’d be bold enough to say that a few of their tracks are straight-up underrated. Ready to dive into five hidden gems from The Beatles’ discography? Let’s rediscover some classics!

1. “Savoy Truffle”

This underrated 1968 track from the White Album is one of this writer’s personal favorite hidden gems from The Beatles’ discography. Even the biggest fans of the Fab Four tend to overlook “Savoy Truffle” because of its absurdity and “filler” energy.

“Savoy Truffle” was inspired by Eric Clapton and his love for Good News chocolates. It’s a great example of George Harrison’s songwriting that deserved a bit more attention when the band was still together. It’s also one of The Beatles’ most solid blues-rock songs.

2. “Don’t Let Me Down”

“Don’t Let Me Down” was the B-side to “Get Back” from 1969. This underrated song shows John Lennon at his most vocally boisterous. It’s an interesting arrangement when you think about it. Lennon is passionately begging the listener to understand his love for Yoko Ono against disorientingly calm instrumentals. Billy Preston provides the soulful piano backing to this song.

3. “The Inner Light”

Another great tune by George Harrison, “The Inner Light” was originally released as a B-side to the 1968 track “Lady Madonna”. It’s one of Harrison’s very best Indian-inspired compositions. The song itself explores the beauty of Transcendental Meditation and is based on a Taoist poem. It’s a deliciously smooth track that was just exotic enough to sound unique, but just “Beatles” enough to sound like The Beatles.

4. “Happiness Is A Warm Gun”

“Happiness Is A Warm Gun” is another underrated track from the White Album. Written by Lennon, this song’s title was inspired by the headline of an article from a gun magazine. However, it’s not necessarily the title nor the lyrics that make this song so interesting. It’s the composition.

Lennon composed this song beautifully and in less than three minutes. “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” is volatile in the way it swings from acid-pop to garage rock to doo-wop. In a way, it’s an ode to rock and roll music in all of its evolutions up until 1968.

5. “Hey Bulldog”

This jammy 1968 song from the Yellow Submarine soundtrack is a delight that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. The addictive piano riff, Harrison’s killer fuzzy guitar solo, McCartney’s inventive bassline… It’s one of The Beatles’ cooler tracks, and it’s been covered quite a few times by the likes of Alice Cooper, Dave Grohl, and more.

Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.