Those who know me will know I love a bit of Alan Partridge. Well actually a lot.
I recently caught again this clip from one of the episodes during the series when he was staying at the (fictional) Linton Travel Tavern (“It’s not 3 stars, but certainly competitive”):
Ben (hotel porter):
“I didn’t know you were into music. I know you’re a DJ but I’ve heard your show”
Alan Partridge:
“Oh yeah I like all the bands. I’ve got a broad taste, you know. From the Britpop bands like UB40, Def Leppard, right back to classic rock, like Wings.”
Ben:
“Who’s Wings?”
Alan Partridge:
“They’re only the band The Beatles COULD have been”
Ben:
“I love The Beatles”
Alan Partridge:
“Yeah, so do I”
Ben:
“What’s your favourite Beatles album, then?”
Alan Partridge:
“Tough one. I think I’d have to say ‘The Best of The Beatles’”
To non Beatles fans that wont mean much – to the rest of us, it’s generally common knowledge that amongst the officially released Beatles albums in the UK and US, there is no such album entitled ‘The Best of The Beatles’ – the joke being that Partridge, as ever, knows a lot less than he confidently makes out (a bit like me really…)
The Def Leppard and Wings comments are funny in their own right, but guess what?
‘The Best of The Beatles’ DOES exist.
There are apparently nearly 60 Beatles compilations that have been issued worldwide, and whilst many of these are likely unofficial in no small dubious way, there actually is an album, nay a SERIES of albums, on the Japanese market called ‘The Best of The Beatles’
Below is merely Volume One, and I found it goes up to at least Volume Four.
So just a few observations on the validity of this delectable masterpiece.
Michelle
Lovely continental ode / folk song that sits nicely on the Rubber Soul album.. but never worthy of a greatest hits package
Yellow Submarine
Similar to above. Cute song aimed at children, but again not in the canon of ‘best ofs’
Bad Boy
I bet there are die hard Beatles fans out there who don’t know any of the lyrics to this B-side. Shouldn’t be on any album full stop.
Eleanor Rigb
Always mentioned as a Beatles classic – and rightly so. Why no ‘y’ though?
I Want To Hold Your Hold
Wouldn’t we all, eh readers!?
