The Most Underrated Beatles Songs – Part 2 (11-20) (In Chronological Order)

The Beatles’ catalog is so deep and so frequently discussed that even genuinely great songs can quietly slip past the spotlight. This second installment continues the conversation, focusing on tracks that may not be obscure, but are often under-discussed, misunderstood, or overshadowed by the band’s most iconic moments.

From early albums like Beatles for Sale to the ambitious experimentation of Revolver and The White Album, their catalog consistently rewards deep listening.

If Part 1 explored overlooked brilliance across their evolution, Part 2 leans further into emotional nuance, songwriting craft, and moments that reward close listening. Presented once again in chronological order, these songs highlight just how much depth exists beyond the usual touchstones.

See more of our Beatles discussions, song meanings & reviews here.

Quick Details — The Most Underrated Beatles Songs (Part 2)

(Chronological Order)
Song · Year · Album

No Reply · 1964 · Beatles for Sale
If I Needed Someone · 1965 · Rubber Soul
And Your Bird Can Sing · 1966 · Revolver
Rain · 1966 · B-side to “Paperback Writer”
For No One · 1966 · Revolver
Fixing a Hole · 1967 · Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Glass Onion · 1968 · The Beatles (White Album)
Rocky Raccoon · 1968 · The Beatles (White Album)
Cry Baby Cry · 1968 · The Beatles (White Album)
I Me Mine · 1970 · Let It Be

No Reply (1964 · Beatles for Sale)

One of the earliest signs that the Beatles were capable of emotional depth far beyond their peers, “No Reply” feels remarkably mature for its time. Its narrative structure and bruised tone hint at the introspection that would later define much of their best work. Often overshadowed by what came next, it stands as a quiet turning point in their songwriting.

If I Needed Someone (1965 · Rubber Soul)

George Harrison’s growth as a songwriter is unmistakable here. Confident, melodic, and subtly assertive, “If I Needed Someone” earns it’s spot. Within an album packed with defining statements, this track tends to be overlooked, yet it captures George stepping fully into his own voice.

And Your Bird Can Sing (1966 · Revolver)

Often remembered for its iconic dual-guitar lines, this song is more than a technical showcase. Beneath the bright surface lies sharp, biting lyricism that adds another layer to Revolver’s restless energy. It’s admired, but rarely discussed at length — which is exactly why it belongs here.

Rain (1966 · B-side to “Paperback Writer”)

“Rain” captures the Beatles at their most forward-thinking. Its atmosphere, vocal experimentation, and rhythmic weight were groundbreaking at the time, yet it lives in the shadow of the single it accompanied. Even today, it feels bold and immersive — a reminder that some of their most adventurous ideas weren’t always front and center.

For No One (1966 · Revolver)

Few Beatles songs are as emotionally precise as “For No One.” Stripped of drama and excess, it portrays heartbreak with devastating restraint. While often respected, it’s rarely spotlighted alongside the band’s grander achievements, making it one of Paul McCartney’s most quietly powerful contributions.

Fixing a Hole (1967 · Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band)

Tucked inside one of the most celebrated albums of all time, “Fixing a Hole” can easily be overlooked. Its reflective tone and understated arrangement contrast with the surrounding spectacle, offering a moment of clarity and focus. It’s a reminder that Sgt. Pepper’s brilliance isn’t just found in its biggest statements.

Glass Onion (1968 · The Beatles)

Playful, self-aware, and deliberately misleading, “Glass Onion” thrives on misinterpretation. It toys with the band’s own mythology while sounding deceptively simple. Often dismissed as a novelty, it’s actually a sharp piece of commentary that rewards listeners willing to look past the surface. It’s hard to imagine anyone else writing — or releasing — a song like this; it exists purely because Lennon trusted his instincts.

Rocky Raccoon (1968 · The Beatles)

Often labeled as novelty, “Rocky Raccoon” is far more deliberate than it first appears. Its storytelling, pacing, and musical restraint showcase a band comfortable stepping outside convention. Beneath its humor is a carefully constructed narrative that continues to reveal new details with each listen.

Cry Baby Cry (1968 · The Beatles)

“Cry Baby Cry” sits in a strange and fascinating space within the White Album — part nursery rhyme, part unsettling dream. Its sing-song melody masks a deeper unease, creating a song that feels playful on the surface but quietly disorienting underneath. Lennon’s imagery is fragmented and surreal, inviting interpretation without ever offering resolution. Often overlooked in favor of the album’s louder or more immediate moments, “Cry Baby Cry” rewards close listening, revealing itself as one of the White Album’s most atmospherically rich and subtly unsettling tracks.

I Me Mine (1970 · Let It Be)

Short, sharp, and deceptively clever, “I Me Mine” showcases George Harrison’s wit as much as his philosophy. Its pointed lyrics gently mock ego, materialism, and the self-importance of high society, all delivered with a lightness that keeps the message from feeling heavy-handed. Often overshadowed by the larger narrative surrounding Let It Be, the song stands on its own as a concise, sharply observed piece of songwriting — one that proves how effective George could be when he paired insight with restraint.

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Final Thoughts

There’s no definitive way to measure what makes a Beatles song underrated — and maybe that’s part of the point. As time passes, certain tracks rise to iconic status while others quietly wait to be rediscovered. Revisiting the catalog in chronological order is a reminder that brilliance wasn’t confined to the biggest hits or the most celebrated moments. It was woven throughout.

These songs aren’t meant to replace the classics or challenge the canon; they simply highlight the depth that exists beyond it. Sometimes all it takes is distance — or a second listen — to hear what was always there.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which Beatles songs do you think deserve more attention? Feel free to leave a comment, email us your picks, or let us know what you’d include in a Part 3.

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