Which One was No. 1?

Sorry, we just can't Let It Be.  It seems like just Yesterday we were having this conversation, but there's Something about audiophile Wayne Shelor's take on this stuff.  Read on, but not before clicking on this link in another tab:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMwZsFKIXa8.

Time's up: Name that No. 1 song!

By Wayne Shelor

The aptly titled Beatles' compilation album "1," released 10 years ago come November, was a collection containing all of the Fab Four’s Number 1 hits. And of that quite remarkable list of songs, which one would YOU select as the greatest Beatles Number One hit of all time?

"Something"? "Let it Be"? "Yesterday"? "Hey Jude?"

How about "Can't Buy Me Love"? Yep: "Can't But Me Love" is Number 1 of the Number 1s.

Here are three reasons why "Can't Buy Me Love" is the single greatest Number 1 hit -- not only of the Beatles, but by anyone -- ever. It’s the greatest Number 1 hit of all time.

On April 4, 1964, the Beatles had not only the Number 1 song in the nation, but they had the top FIVE Billboard singles on the chart: "Can't Buy Me Love," "Twist and Shout," "She Loves You," "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me."

The way this happened was that at this time early in the Beatles' career several labels, such as Vee Jay and Swan Records, still had rights to some Beatles' songs. And with the overnight creation of Beatlemania, everyone released everything they had to a Beatles-crazy nation.

A week later, with "Can't Buy Me Love" sitting at Number 1 for the second of five weeks. the Beatles had 14 songs in the Billboard Top 100. I can't see that happening ever again, not even with acts such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Flo Rida poised to make confetti of the pop charts records.

And with "Can't Buy Me Love"'s ascension to the top of the chart in the first week of April 1964, it gave the Beatles their third consecutive Number 1 hit, a feat no one -- neither The King of Rock 'n' Roll, nor the King of Pop -- ever accomplished. "Can't Buy Me Love" followed "She Loves You" which followed "I Want To Hold Your Hand" as the No. 1 song in America.

With their very first foray into the pop charts of America, the English mop-tops monopolized the Number 1 spot for 14 consecutive weeks. I'd say that this little 2-minute, 11-second ditty's got shoulders broader than those of Chicago ... as much heart as New York City ... and the soul of a million lovers who know that you Can’t Buy Me Love at any price.

But you CAN rent it by the hour ... or embrace it in a lovely little pop song you still hear every week on the radio.

Like a gunslinger with an itchy trigger finger, Wayne Shelor just can't wait to put the needle to the vinyl. Look for his contributions on Sundays at the Sanctuary...