4 of the Biggest Hits From Each of The Beatles’ Solo Careers

The Beatles‘ breakup in 1970 led to successful solo careers for all four members. All four members sang on iconic Beatles tracks, and fans for decades have taken their solo hits as songs that could’ve been Beatles songs. That’s if the band had continued. Following the Beatles’ breakup, here are the 4 biggest hits from each of The Beatles’ solo careers.

“(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon

Though many would assume the iconic anthem for peace, “Imagine,” would be John Lennon’s biggest hit, the track peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Still, “Imagine” is easily Lennon’s most identifiable song. But it was “Whatever Gets You Through The Night” that became Lennon’s biggest solo hit in the 1970s. On November 16, 1974, “Whatever Gets You Through The Night” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sat there for one week. Unfortunately, it was Lennon’s only No. 1 single for his solo career in his lifetime.

Sadly, “(Just Like) Starting Over” was the last single released in Lennon’s lifetime. The single was released on October 23, 1980. It hit No. 1 on December 27, 1980, just weeks after Lennon’s murder. Posthumously, the single sat in the top position for five weeks and became John Lennon’s biggest solo hit.

“Silly Love Songs” by Paul McCartney & Wings

In the 1970s, Paul McCartney achieved six No. 1 hits with the group Wings. “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” in 1971, “My Love” in 1973, “Band on the Run” in 1974, “Listen to What the Man Said” in 1975, “Silly Love Songs” in 1976, and “With a Little Luck” in 1978 all topped the Billboard Hot 100. Of all these hits, “Silly Love Songs” was the biggest, topping the chart for five non-consecutive weeks. It was ranked as Song of the Year in 1976. At the time, it was McCartney’s 27th No. 1 hit as a songwriter, setting a new record.

“My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison

George Harrison made a big statement with his solo record All Things Must Pass in 1970. The album spawned multiple hits, including “My Sweet Lord.” The single became the first No. 1 hit by a former Beatles member, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 26, 1970. Additionally, Harrison penned another No. 1 hit in 1973 with “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” and again in 1988 with his cover of “Got My Mind Set On You.” Ultimately, “My Sweet Lord” was Harrison’s biggest hit, topping the chart for four weeks.

“Photograph” by Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr became the first former Beatle to have multiple No. 1 hits. His 1973 album Ringo reunited The Beatles, with former members collaborating on separate tracks on the album. The album spawned three top 10 singles, including “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen.” “Photograph,” co-written by George Harrison, hit No. 1 on November 24, 1973. Instantly, Starr followed up this success with the album’s second single, “You’re Sixteen,” also hitting No. 1 in January 1974. Throughout the 1970s, Ringo Starr had multiple Top 10 hits.