Nothing drives me crazier than questions regarding desert island albums.  You know, if you were put on a desert island and could take only 3 albums with you, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Anyways, just to turn it up a notch lets suppose a time capsule was being shot into space that would include a disc of pop culture nuggets such as video clips of shows, songs from all genres, etc.  If 10 Rock songs were being included and only one could be from The Beatles (a travesty, I know) which one do you think could capture the essence of their music best or be the one song that would force any alien species with ears to realize their greatness?  For all you technical science buffs out there, let's assume this species does indeed have ears, knows what music is and can appreciate it for what its worth.

It's almost maddening to think about.  You could go with an earlier cut from their career but end up misrepresenting what they were all about as a whole.  The same could be said for picking a later cut.  I would guess the key is to find a song that encompasses a myriad of sounds that seems balanced between their early and later works but I'm only guessing.  

I don't want to influence anyone right off the bat so I'll just hold my answer till later, but rest assured it's probably the best choice possible.  

I know 4 non-Beatle tracks that would make the cut:

Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
That's All Right (Mama) - Elvis Presley
Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
I Can't Get No (Satisfaction) - The Rolling Stones

As for the Beatles, Strawberry Fields Forever (give the aliens the MONO version)

I think maybe A Day In The Life.

It combines some psychadelia, a bit of ballad (remember the long 'aaaaaaaah's), some catchy beat, and it ends in gibberish.

Hey Jude or All You Need Is Love.

hmmm...hard question. im gonna have to agree w/ a day in the lostio though, aditl is definitely great & would catch their attention

A Day in the Lostio? When did they record that?

I'd have to agree with Mairi and put in Hey Jude... Hey Jude or A Day In The Lostio  

Revolution 9...thats like Alien Music

I reckon Revolution #9  should be loaded into that pod and shot at our alien fiends! Yes, fiends!! LOL!

Seriously though, In My Life would be my first choice - or maybe the whole Rubber Soul LP - loud-cut mono version of course!

A Day In The Lostio? I feel honoured.

And yes, maybe Revolution 9 should have the chance to be shot to the alien mates. That really would capture their attention...

Quoted from TurnMeOnDeadman

Revolution 9...thats like Alien Music

they would definitely understand Revolution 9

Great responses folks!  I have to say I was torn between Day In The Life and Penny Lane of all songs.  Day In The Life has a lot of twists and turns and is drop dead heartbreaking in certain parts but Penny Lane has a lot of what they were about in a shorter song.

It has the horns, a great beat and the harmonies between John and Paul are outstanding which I always felt was a key to thier sound overall.

So I guess I'm going with Penny Lane.

Space Oddity- Bowie

Is There Anybody Out There?-Floyd


I Think penny Lane is a good choice, its got the lighthearted poppyness and catchy harmonies of their early work, combined with some psychadelic imagery.  Or Day in the Life i guess

Is There Anybody Out There? and Space Oddity are fine choices but I was referring mainly to the song that would represent The Beatles.

But by all means expand this if you choose to include other acts...I just wanted to make sure there wasn't any confusion.

Carry on!