Best Beatles Songs of All Time

To celebrate the release of the Beatles Rock Band video game and the the new box set of remastered versions of all 14 of their studio albums, Entertainment Weekly has ranked their top 50 Beatles songs. While I don't totally agree with the list I love that this gives me the chance to make my own top list. Here it is:

B Mac's Top 20:

I split mine into two lists because The Beatles were two of the greatest bands of all time.

From 1962-1966 they were the greatest pop band of all time and from 1967-1970 they were the history's preeminent classic rock band.

Early Beatles

1. "Help!"

2. "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"

3. "In My Life"

4. "Paperback Writer"

5. "Please Please Me"

6. "Rain"

7. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"

8. "Tomorrow Never Knows"

9. "She Said She Said"

10. "Eleanor Rigby"

Late Beatles

1. "Something"

2. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

3. "Come Together"

4. "Hey Jude"

5. "Yellow Submarine"

6. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

7. "Revolution 1"

8. "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band"

9. "Rocky Raccoon"

10. "Two of Us"

Albums everyone on Earth should own:

Revolver - (1966)

1962-1966 (The "Red" Album)

1966-1970 (The "Blue" Album)

The White Album (1968)

Anthology, Vol. 2 (1996)

1 (2000)

EW's Top 50:

1. "A Hard Day's Night" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

2. "A Day in the Life" 1967 (Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band)

3. "Yesterday" 1965 (Help!)

4. "Strawberry Fields Forever" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

5. "Something" 1969 (Abbey Road)

6. "She Loves You" 1963 (Past Masters)

7. "Let It Be" 1970 (Let It Be)

8. "Tomorrow Never Knows" 1966 (Revolver)

9. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

10. "Across the Universe" 1969 (Let It Be)

11. "Elanor Rigby" 1966 (Revolver)

12. "Penny Lane" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

13. "Help!" 1965 (Help!)

14. "Hey Jude" 1965 (Help!)

15. "In My Life" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

16. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" 1968 (White Album)

17. "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" 1965 (Help!)

18. "Blackbird" 1968 (White Album)

19. "Golden Slumbers/Carry the Weight/The End" 1969 (Abbey Road)

20. "Can't Buy Me Love" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

21. "Revolution" 1968 (Past Masters)

22. "If I Fell" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

23. "We Can Work It Out" 1965 (Past Masters)

24. "I'm Only Sleeping" 1966 (Revolver)

25. "I'm A Loser" 1964 (Beatles For Sale)

26. "Paperback Writer" 1964 (Past Masters)

27. "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" 1968 (White Album)

28. "Rain" 1966 (Past Masters)

29. "I Saw Her Standing There" 1963 (Please Please Me)

30. "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" 1969 (Abbey Road)

31. "All My Loving" 1963 (With the Beatles)

32. "I Am the Walrus" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

33. "I Should Have Known Better" 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

34. "I've Got a Feeling" 1970 (Let It Be)

35. "Nowhere Man" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

36. "Dear Prudence" 1968 (White Album)

37. "She Said She Said" 1966 (Revolver)

38. "You Won't See Me" 1965 (Rubber Soul)

39. "Taxman" 1966 (Revolver)

40. "With a Little Help From My Friends" 1967 (Sgt. Pepper)

41. "Day Tripper" 1965 (Past Masters)

42. "I'm Down" 1965 (Past Masters)

43. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" 1963 (Past Masters)

44. "Come Together" 1969 (Abbey Road)

45. "Lovely Rita" 1967 (Sgt. Pepper)

46. "Ticket to Ride" 1965 (Help!)

47. "Helter Skelter" 1968 (White Album)

48. "Here Comes the Sun" 1969 (Abbey Road)

49. "I'm So Tired" 1968 (White Album)

50. "All You Need is Love" 1967 (Magical Mystery Tour)

Feel free to post your favorite Beatles song or your own list. (Hint: It's really hard)

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The Admiral's Ship Comes In

David Robinson Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

The 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame class will be remembered for one man, Michael Jordan. While Jordan is arguably the greatest player of all time and revolutionized the league, he was never My Guy. I have ultimate respect and admiration for him as a player and an icon but My Guy was David Robinson.

I was ten years old when Robinson entered the league in 1989 to play for the San Antonio Spurs. (He was actually drafted number one overall in 1987 but had to fulfill two years of his obligation to the Naval Academy before joining the league.) For some unknown reason that became my team. Don't ask me why or how. I became a Spurs fan and David Robinson became My Guy.

Dozens of my trapper keepers were adorned with his number "50" and too many portraits were attempted by me in art class. I remember having a long sleeve David Robinson white T-shirt that had arrows and targets on the elbows to remind you when playing ball to "always use your elbows." I remember the lame "Mr. Robinson's neighborhood" campaign Nike tried to roll out in the '90s. I don't remember this horrible video game he put his name on. I remember his NBA Hoops rookie card with him posting up and calling for the ball. I'll never forget him scoring 71 points on the final day of the 1993-94 season to win the scoring title from Shaquille O' Neal. The following year he won the MVP award and faced his in-state rival in the playoffs. After getting abused by Hakeem Olajuwon that year in the postseason it left no doubt who was the best center in the game and the sad realization that Mr Robinson would never be one the truly greats. I remember Robinson getting ejected for the first time of his career the game immediately following his wedding. I kinda liked that. I can recall the Spurs starting lineup during his prime without effort: Avery Johnson at the point, Vinny Del Negro at shooting guard, Sean Elliot at small forward, Terry Cummings doing his thing at power forward, and big D in the middle.

Robinson received a late career gift when after a horrible injury-riddled season the Spurs had the No. 1 pick in 1998 and selected Tim Duncan. Duncan allowed Robinson to finally claim a title in the strike-shortened season of 1999. And again in 2003 in Robinson's final season they were crowned champions. But by then it was Duncan's team and he was only a role player. Still here are the facts about his career: No 1 draft pick, rookie of the year, 1992 Defensive Player of the Year, 1995 MVP, two-time NBA champion, 10-time all star, 4-time all NBA team, member of the 1992 USA Dream Team, named one of the NBA's top 50 all time players in 1996, and only the fourth player to score 70+ points in a game. A worthy Hall of Famer.

I never really enjoyed his late career playoff runs and championships because sometime in the late 90's me and the Spurs had an amicable divorce. My interest in the NBA was waning and I think the year of Robinson's season-ending injury I needed something to revitalize my fandom. I locked onto a young high school kid from Philadelphia by way of Italy who had been acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day. Even after the roller coaster career of Kobe Bryant and his off court dramas, I can't say I regretted it. I'm sure one day soon this marriage will end too when Bryant decides to move on from L.A. and I'll search out a new franchise to invest my interest in. (Johnny Flynn, I can be easily swayed to the Timberwolves camp.) I still always rooted for Robinson personally and it seems like he was always a true stand-up guy. The NBA renamed their award for outstanding charitable efforts in honor of Robinson. Just an all around good person. So enjoy these clips... And here's to you Mr. Robinson...

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B Mac's Super Bowl Pick and Predictions

In honor of the greatest sport on this big, blue planet I've decided to share with you my predictions, prognostications, and premonitions on the upcoming 2009 NFL season. Okay here we go...

Pick Six: The only six teams in the league with a shot at the title - New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego, New York Giants, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. Anyone else makes a run at it and I'll be shocked. (Come on Chicago, shock me!)

Teams on the Rise: Houston, Seattle, Green Bay, Oakland

Window of opportunity closing fast: Indianapolis, Tennessee, Dallas

Disasters in the making: Denver, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, St. Louis, Buffalo

Three for Me. Fantasy players I'd take off the board as soon as possible:
LaDanian Tomlinson: wasn't this guy Superman just two years ago?
Marques Colston: just stay healthy and collect passes and TDs all day from Drew Brees.
Matt Schaub: poised for a breakout year on a breakout team; I see him as this year's Phillip Rivers with better targets.

Three for You. Players I'd avoid like the plague:
Kurt Warner: only 4 times in his 10-year career has he started at least 14 games
Matt Cassel: even before knee injury this guy had system-QB-bust written all over him
Brian Westbrook: two words - old, brittle. Honker Gridiron fans feel free to laugh

2009 Predictions:

AFC
New England 13-3
San Diego 12-4
Pittsburgh 11-5
Houston 10-6
Indianapolis 9-7
Tennessee 9-7
Miami 8-8
Cincinnati 8-8
New York Jets 7-9
Baltimore 7-9
Cleveland 7-9
Oakland 7-9
Jacksonville 6-10
Kansas City 6-10
Buffalo 5-11
Denver 4-12

NFC
New York Giants 12-4
Seattle 11-5
New Orleans 10-6
Minnesota 10-6
Philadelphia 9-7
Chicago 9-7
Green Bay 9-7
Dallas 8-8
Atlanta 8-8
Arizona 7-9
Carolina 7-9
Washington 7-9
San Francisco 6-10
Detroit 4-12
St. Louis 4-12
Tampa Bay 3-13



MVP: Drew Brees, QB New Orleans
DMVP: Jared Allen, DE Minnesota
OMVP: LaDanian Tomlinson, RB San Diego
ROY: Hakeem Nicks, WR New York Giants
DROY: B.J. Raji, DT Green Bay Packers
COY: Jim Mora, Seattle




Super Bowl XLIV: New England Patriots over New York Giants



I love New York's offensive and defensive lines. They are beasts upfront. Brandon Jacobs can emerge as an elite back if he stays healthy. Still not sold on Eli Manning as an elite signal caller, but if he can lead the Giants through a mistake-free postseason they can return to the big game. He needs a WR to emerge from the shadow of Plaxico Burress who was an elite talent that made Eli's life easier. Look for Hakeem Nicks, the rookie WR from North Carolina, to make a splash.


Tom Brady returns from his 2008 season-ending injury to almost the exact record setting offense he led two years ago. Loaded with receivers (Moss, Welker, Joey Galloway), complemented by a packed backfield (Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor), and led by the best coaching staff in the sport, the Lombardi trophy returns to the Haah-baarh.

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The Purple Judas

Brett Favre's new teammate in Minnesota, Adrian Peterson, has the greatest nickname in sports, The Purple Jesus. Well AP meet your new QB, Brett Fav-rah, the Purple Judas. When Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ all he got was thirty pieces of silver. Favre's betrayal will be much more lucrative. A two-year $25 million contract lured the humble Mississippi farmer out of his second self-imposed retirement.

How could he do this? How could THE Green Packer of our generation sign with the hated rival Minnesota Vikings. The face of a team, a franchise, hell a large chunk of the Midwest that loves dairy based snacks, has traded his legacy for a year with the Purple Plague.

Why? Because Favre is a paradox wrapped in a riddle. He carries himself as a humble, aw-shucks common man while drawing as much attention to himself off the field as Chad Ochocinco. He is an egomaniac wrapped in a blue collar image. He needs to be needed. Green Bay decided last year they didn't need him and sent him down the road to the New York Jets. Result: 8-8, no playoffs. So he retired. No he didn't. Oh yeah he did. No wait, he's back again.

Now the Vikings need him. They need him because they had one of the worst QB situations in the league. They were desperate for a human being that could stand upright and throw the ball in the general forward direction of their team without skipping it like a stone across the water. (You suck, Tavarious Jackson.)

And like suckers the Vikings nation is eating it up like Christmas came on the 4th of July and Santa brought them a new shiny toy that will lead them to the promised land. Not quite. What you have is a 40 year old, brittle QB that used to smack your team around from the other sideline. The guy you used to boo and jeer and cuss on Sundays from 1992-2008. Like Jerry Seinfeld once said, we sports fans are idiots. We don't cheer for people, we cheer for laundry. Now that Favre wears purple, he's one of yours. Enjoy.

To quote another comic genius, Vince Vaughn in Old School, "Old people die, Mitch. It's what they do." Well in the NFL old QBs get injured. It's what they do. Minny goes to Lambeau Field in Week 8 for a Monday night game. If Brett makes it there in one piece I'll be surprised.

Games to Watch:

Week 4: Green Bay at Minnesota

Week 8: Minnesota at Green Bay

Week 12: Chicago at Minnesota

Week 16: Minnesota at Chicago

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B Mac's NL All Stars

Yesterday I set the American League straight, now it's time to fix the National League's roster for next Tuesday's All Star game. Adhering to the rules and standards, i.e. 33 man roster and including at least one player from each team; here are my selections. (Bold = league leader, Italics = top 5 in league.)

STARTERS

• C- Brian McCann, Braves (.299 BA 8 HR 35 RBI)
• 1B- Albert Pujols, Cardinals (.332 31 HR 83 RBI)
• 2B- Chase Utley, Phillies (.307 20 HR 61RBI)
• 3B- Pablo Sandoval, Giants (.328 13 HR 50 RBI)
• SS- Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (.348 14 HR 60 RBI)
• OF- Raul Ibanez, Phillies (.312 22 HR 59 RBI)
• OF- Brad Hawpe, Rockies (.324 .577 SLUG 57 RBI)
• OF- Ryan Braun, Brewers (.321 16 HR 58 RBI)
• SP- Dan Haren, Diamondbacks (8-5 2.16 ERA 0.83 WHIP)

BENCH

• C- Bengie Molina, Giants (.266 11 HR 50 RBI)
• 1B- Prince Fielder, Brewers (.312 22 HR 77 RBI)
• 1B- Adrian Gonzalez, Padres (.256 24 HR 52 RBI)
• 2B- Brandon Phillips, Reds (.268 13 HR 56 RBI)
• 2B- Freddy Sanchez, Pirates (.316 25 2B .477 SLUG)
• 3B- Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks (.259 24 HR 62 RBI)
• 3B- David Wright, Mets (.328 20 SB 43 RBI)
• SS- Miguel Tejada, Astros (.329 29 2B 47 RBI)
• OF- Justin Upton, D'Backs (.296 16 HR 12 SB)
• OF- Matt Kemp, Dodgers (.319 19 SB 46 RBI)
• OF- Adam Dunn, Nationals (.259 22 HR 60 RBI)

BULLPEN

• SP- Tim Lincecum, Giants (9-2 2.33 ERA 149 K)
• SP- Matt Cain, Giants (10-2 2.42 ERA 12 QS)
• SP- Josh Johnson, Marlins (7-2 2.82 ERA 15 QS)
• SP- Yavonni Gallardo, Brewers (8-6 2.95 ERA 120 K)
• SP- Chad Billingsley, Dodgers (9-4 3.14 ERA 115 K)
• SP- Ted Lilly, Cubs (8-6 3.32 ERA 13 QS)
• SP- Javier Vasquez, Braves (6-7 2.95 ERA 136 K)
• RP- Heath Bell, Padres (23 SV 1.49 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Ryan Franklin, Cardinals (20 SV 0.83 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Francisco Cordero, Reds (21 SV 1.75 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Trevor Hoffman, Brewers (19 SV 1.85 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Houston Street, Rockies (22 SV 2.82 ERA 1 BLSV)
• RP- Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers (20 SV 2.72 ERA 2 BLSV)

Who I left off:

Yadier Molina, C Cardinals (.284 5 HR 28 RBI) Fans chose him over his brother probably because the game is in St. Louis and he is a superior defensive back stop. His numbers don't measure up to brother Bengie.

Carlos Beltran, OF Mets (.336 8 HR 40 RBI) He's hurt and won't play in the game.

Jason Marquis, SP Rockies (11-5 3.61 ERA) Again the league leader in the overrated stat of pitcher's wins with 11. His ERA ranks 20th in the NL and has benefited from a Colorado offense that is averaging 6.67 runs during his starts.

Ryan Howard, 1B Phillies (.253 21 HR 63 RBI) A ridiculous manager's selection that makes Howard the 4th first baseman on the National League squad. A choice that should have been used for more versatile and deserving, Kung Fu Panda (Pablo Sandoval). No wonder the American League hasn't lost a game in this series since 1996.

1st HALF MVP: ALBERT PUJOLS, 1B ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Pujols leads the planet in almost every offensive statistical category the computers can invent, including home runs, runs batted in, on base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases, extra base hits, and walks. Let's just hope (knock on wood) we're seeing the first historic clean season from a slugger in the steroid-testing era.

1st HALF CY YOUNG: DAN HAREN, ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

This is a really close call between Haren and San Francisco's Tim Lincecum. I'll admit I am slightly biased because Haren has help me dominate my fantasy league this year. Following him game in and game out has given me a front row seat to his brilliance this year. He has been the most consistent starting pitcher in all of baseball (16 quality starts out of 18 games started) and is only overlooked because of Arizona's hideous record (18.5 games out of first in the NL West) and lack of offense in Haren's starts (5.65 runs/start; 44th in the NL out of pitchers with a minimum of 80 innings pitched). He should be your All Star game starter.

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