Rank The Tracks on All Things Must Pass | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

Imho, Apple Scruffs should have been the b-side of a Beatles single in 1969. It’s a lightweight, slightly goofy song, but as essentially a love letter to the fans, I think it would have been quite successful as a Beatle cut–and I always thought the harmonica was a good laugh! The idea of ranking the album tracks is interesting, but not sure I can do it. I love this album, love George. If anyone mentions a track they don’t care for, I’d just be tempted to sit here and make a case for it, since I think they all have merits.

I’ll try and list a few favorites, though, focusing on tracks I feel don’t get enough attention: I’d Have You Anytime , Let It Down , Run Of The Mill , Beware Of Darkness , The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let it Roll), Isn’t a Pity? v. 2, Awaiting On You All , Art of Dying. I feel like most of the remaining tracks don’t need me to sing their praises, as the hits are well-known and loved. I’m curious what other people’s favorites (and less favorites) are on this album, since there are so many to pick from and so easy for deep cuts to fall through the cracks on a double/triple album.

Every time I listen to Run Of The Mill I appreciate that song more. Its shorter and a lot simpler than most of the other tracks on the album but it packs a lot of melody in just under 3 minutes. My ranking would be something like:

1. All Things Must Pass (this is such a beautiful song and it’s a shame George didn’t continue it with The Beatles but as it appears on the album is still incredible)

2. What Is Life (first song I heard off the album and it still holds up for just being a really fun song to listen to)

3. Isn’t It A Pity (I understand why this one was rejected by The Beatles for so long. It wouldn’t have fit in with Sgt. Peppers or Revolver and I think a runtime cut would really hurt the song. I think the length helps it flourish on this album)

4. Run Of The Mill

5. My Sweet Lord (I don’t love it as much as the next guy but it is very iconic and still a good song. The slide guitar melody is my favorite part)

6. The Art Of Dying (the contrast between the album version and the acoustic demo is so large that it makes every listen interesting. Another song that benefited from being left off a Beatles album, I love the Eric Clapton guitar work)

7. Beware Of Darkness

8. Hear Me Lord (it takes a long time to reach this song on the album and I forgot it existed for a while but it is a beautiful track to end off the main set)

9. Awaiting On You All

10. If Not For You (this and Behind That Locked Door were close but the bridge/chorus part on this one just makes me smile)

11. I Live For You (this one took a while to grow on me)

12. The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (really great melody even if the instrumental parts between verses run on a bit too long on some listens)

13. Wah-Wah (this used to be my favorite song off the album but I’ve definitely worn it out a lot, maybe when they release the new cleaner mix I’ll fall in love with it again)

14. Behind That Locked Door

15. Let It Down (great heavy track but all the reverb/echo gives me a headache. Another one that might get a higher ranking with the new mix)

16. Apple Scruffs (the harmonica does hurt my ears on the sharper notes but I like the little ‘apple scruffs’ harmonies. It’s not as impactful as the rest of the album but I still appreciate it)

17. I’d Have You Anytime (it’s a great way to lead into the album but it doesn’t really stand against the larger songs coming immediately after it)

18. Isn’t It A Pity V2 (this one isn’t as iconic as the original but it does have its own merit as a much smaller scale version, I like the woodwinds on the track)

19. I Dig Love (this one runs a bit too long for me to really like fully, its a fun little song and if the instrumentals built more over time I might’ve put it higher)