The 10 Best Beatles Solo Albums, Ranked
Val Barone is a journalist working remotely and specializing in music features. A passionate music lover, she keeps up to date on the latest developments in the entertainment world, and in the past five years, she's written for several sites, including ScreenRant, MovieWeb, TheThings, and Far Out Magazine. She covers breaking news in the music world and loves sharing stories about the classic rock musicians she grew up listening to. As a Gen Z writer, she offers a fresh perspective on the events that change music history.
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Everybody has their favorite Beatle, but who is your favorite outside the band? When The Beatles broke up in 1970, they were at each other's throats, fighting over money, songs, and personal issues. Their solo careers are distinct, carrying each of their artistic essences, but they are also inextricably linked. They wrote songs for each other (for better and for worse), inspired each other, and collaborated together, long after the breakup.
Throughout the early '70s, Paul McCartney and John Lennon were practically at war, George Harrison was trying to make it on his own, and only Ringo Starr was on good terms with all of them. As time went by, they let go of their old grievances, but even their most spiteful moments served to create incredible songs.
10 "Ringo" by Ringo Starr (1973)
This 1973 album by the often most relegated Beatle is special for many reasons, not just the incredible songs it includes. It had only been three years since The Beatles had broken up, and it's a well-known fact that, in the early '70s, the relationships among the former bandmates were strained. Well, except for Ringo Starr, who seemed to always get along with everyone. And knowing this special role he played, he decided to enlist John Lennon and George Harrison to help him on his album, Ringo. They said yes, and Harrison co-wrote three songs for him, "Photograph," and two singles, "Back Off Boogaloo" and "It Don't Come Easy." Lennon wrote the song "I'm the Greatest", and with both of them on the project, he knew Paul McCartney wouldn't be able to resist saying yes. Reportedly, Starr convinced him by saying, "You don't want to be left out, do you?" So, he and Linda McCartney wrote him the song "Six O'Clock." While the Fab Four might not have played a song together, this album is the closest the world has come to having a Beatles reunion.
9 "McCartney" by Paul McCartney (1970)
Often referred to by fans as the album that broke The Beatles, McCartney released his eponymous debut solo album in April 1970, and wreaked havoc in the Beatles community. Nowadays, McCartney is considered a groundbreaking lo-fi album, but at the time, it was heavily misunderstood. "In both the quality of its songs and the character of its production, McCartney will no doubt be a disappointment to many Beatles fans," the Rolling Stone reviewed it at the time. "When compared to the best of the Beatles’ previous work, the songs on McCartney are distinctly second rate." Part of the reason this album was so criticized is that it competed with The Beatles' Let It Be when it came out, but now, it is recognized as the incredible piece of work it is. This album was written, recorded, and produced, all by McCartney himself, with some help from his wife Linda, and it's a masterpiece of indie recording.
8 "Somewhere in England" by George Harrison (1981)
Somewhere in England was a difficult album for George Harrison to make. He originally had finished it in September 1980, but when he presented it to his record label, they rejected it, saying it wasn't commercial enough, and told him to drop some of the songs and rework it. He ended up reluctantly agreeing with them, but was frustrated at having to turn to covers to appease them, and even wrote a song calling out his record label, named "Blood from a Clone." Beatles fans are probably noticing the timeline by now. Between the rejected first version and the ultimate 1981 release, there was the tragic death of John Lennon. This, of course, impacted Harrison greatly, and he ended up writing a single named "All Those Years Ago," which was a tribute to his former bandmate.
7 "Plastic Ono Band" by John Lennon (1970)
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was John Lennon's debut album after The Beatles split up, and while McCartney might have been seen as the album that ended the band, you could say that Lennon made the breakup definite. This album includes a lot of vulnerable tracks, such as "Mother", "Isolation," and "Love," as well as one of Lennon's greatest political anthems, "Working Class Hero." But the song that really stands out is "God," the second to last track, which broke the hearts of fans all over the world. It was Lennon's way to give an abrupt closure to the youth of his generation and all that it entailed. He repeats the refrain "I don't believe in..." And mentions Elvis, Kennedy, Bob Dylan, and lastly, The Beatles. "I was the walrus / But now I'm John / And so, dear friends / You'll just have to carry on / The dream is over," he concludes.
6 "Imagine" by John Lennon (1971)
Imagine is the clearest example of John Lennon's contradictory spirit that marked his entire career. There is, of course, the title track, "Imagine," which is a call for peace on Earth and the end of war, in a soft, almost sappy ballad. But that is where his sentimentalism about politics ends. He has strong protest songs like "Gimme Some Truth" and "I Don't Want to Be a Soldier," and great vulnerable love songs like "Jealous Guy" and "Oh, My Love." And then, of course, there's "How Do You Sleep?", a song that effectively throws all sentimentalism out the window. It's a direct attack on Paul McCartney, and it made clear to the world that the Lennon-McCartney relationship was all but ruined. They eventually rebuilt their friendship, but this song remains the prime example of how far their feud had gotten.
5 "Band on the Run" by Paul McCartney & Wings (1973)
Another one of McCartney's eccentricities that really paid off. In 1973, Paul and Linda McCartney's band, Wings, was just starting. They were doing well, but they had yet to leave their mark on music, and with this album, they managed. After having recorded in his home studio, and the best studios in Britain and America, he felt they needed a change of pace. So, he decided they would go to Lagos, Nigeria, where EMI had a studio. He wanted to immerse himself in African music (which he eventually did with his friendship with Fela Kuti), but not everyone wanted to follow him halfway across the world. The day before they were set to depart, half the band quit, leaving only the McCartneys and their guitarist Denny Laine. The experience in Lagos left them with incredible songs like the title track, "Band on the Run," "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five," "Mamunia," and more, and despite the difficulties (their demos were stolen and they had to rerecord the album, but that's another story) and the sudden change in lineup, Band on the Run finally proved to the world what McCartney could do on his own.
4 "Cloud Nine" by George Harrison (1987)
Cloud Nine was a highly anticipated album, as George Harrison had gone on a five-year hiatus in the '80s, and people were excited to hear from him again. This album also led Harrison to top the charts again for the first time in over a decade with his amazing cover of Rudy Clark's "Got My Mind Set on You," and reestablished him as a top-notch solo artist. The album also included a tribute to his time in The Beatles, a loving yet sarcastic song titled "When We Was Fab," featuring Ringo Starr. "The microscopes that magnified the tears / Studied warts and all / Still the life flowed on and on / Long time ago, when we was Fab / But it's all over now, Baby Blue," he sings cheerily.
3 "Double Fantasy" by John Lennon (1980)
A bittersweet album for sure. Double Fantasy came out in 1980, shortly before John Lennon's life was tragically cut short, and it was his return to showbusiness. He had taken five years away from music to focus on raising his son, and this album reflects how happy he was with his quiet life. Songs like "Watching the Wheels" and "Beautiful Boy" are about his peaceful life as a father and husband, but perhaps the most heartbreaking song is the opening track, "(Just Like) Starting Over." It was about still being in love with his wife after all those years together, and about looking into their future together. This album really established John Lennon as a class-A balladist, and remains one of the best things he's ever written.
2 "All Things Must Pass" by George Harrison (1970)
It's no secret that George Harrison was feeling slighted in The Beatles, so when the band broke up, while establishing himself as a solo artist was daunting, it was also a liberation. All Things Must Pass is a triple album full of masterpieces, and he topped the charts everywhere with it. His single, "My Sweet Lord," was an instant success, as was the title track, which had originally been rejected by The Beatles just a year earlier. This album proved to the world, and to Harrison himself, that he didn't need Lennon and McCartney to be a top-notch songwriter.
1 "RAM" by Paul McCartney (1971)
"It is by now apparent that Lennon held the reins in on McCartney's cutsie-pie, florid attempts at pure rock muzak," Rolling Stone said in their review of RAM when it first came out. 50 years later, this album is considered one of the greatest of the '70s. This album was loathed by critics and loved by fans. In fact, its single, "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" topped the charts in the US. Other great songs on this album are the closing track, "The Backseat of My Car," "Dear Boy," and Monkberry Moon Delight," but the opening track was really the one that drew attention. "Too Many People" was a veiled attack at John Lennon, scolding him for breaking up The Beatles, and it led to Lennon lashing out at him in the previously mentioned diss track, "How Do You Sleep?"
The Beatles we're incredible together, but these 10 albums prove that they were just as great each on their own.
Classic Rock Personality Quiz
Who's Your Perfect
Classic Rock Band?
A Personality Quiz · 10 Questions
Five legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?
⚡AC/DC
👅Rolling Stones
🤘Metallica
👑Queen
🎸The Beatles
01
How do you walk into a room? Choose the answer that feels most like you.
02
What does your ideal Friday night look like?
03
What's your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?
04
How would your friends describe your personal style?
05
How do you want to be remembered?
06
What kind of crowd do you want around you?
07
If you were writing a song, what would it be about?
08
What's your secret to staying relevant over time?
09
You're playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?
10
Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music. This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.
Your Result Your Perfect Band Is Revealed
Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…
⚡ AC/DC
You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don't need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You're the person in the room who doesn't overthink it, doesn't pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you've been on it since day one.
👅 The Rolling Stones
You've got swagger that can't be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you've seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You're not chasing perfection — you're chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can't always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.
👑 Queen
You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone's permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.
🎸 The Beatles
You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you're a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You've changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.
Who's Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?
Classic Rock Personality QuizWho's Your PerfectClassic Rock Band?A Personality Quiz · 10 QuestionsFive legendary bands. One perfect match. Answer 10 questions about your personality, attitude, and taste to find out which classic rock icon you truly belong with. Are you raw power, rolling swagger, operatic drama, thunderous riffs, or timeless melody?
⚡AC/DC
👅Rolling Stones
🤘Metallica
👑Queen
🎸The Beatles
Begin Quiz →
01
How do you walk into a room?Choose the answer that feels most like you.
ALike a freight train — loud, fast, and everyone knows I've arrived.BWith a slow, cool swagger — I take my time and own every step.CHead down, focused — I'm here for a purpose and small talk isn't it.DWith total confidence and a flair for the dramatic — all eyes on me.EWarmly and curiously — genuinely excited to see what and who is here.
Next Question →
02
What does your ideal Friday night look like?
ALoud bar, cold beer, cranked jukebox — the louder the better.BA smoky club, good company, and doing whatever feels right in the moment.CIntense concert or staying in with headphones — nothing in between.DSomething theatrical — a show, a dinner party, an experience worth remembering.EHanging with close friends, maybe making music, keeping it relaxed and genuine.
Next Question →
03
What's your philosophy on keeping things simple vs. complex?
ASimple is king. A great riff repeated perfectly beats any amount of cleverness.BKeep it loose and bluesy — the groove matters more than technical perfection.CGo deep and dark — I want layers, tension, and something that hits hard.DWhy not both? Elaborate arrangements and hook-driven anthems can coexist.ECraft every detail — a perfect melody is the result of countless small choices.
Next Question →
04
How would your friends describe your personal style?
ANo-frills, no-nonsense — jeans, a t-shirt, and ready to go.BEffortlessly cool — slightly dishevelled in a way that somehow always works.CDark and deliberate — black is a lifestyle, not just a colour.DBold and expressive — fashion is a form of performance for me.EClean and classic — timeless over trendy, always put-together.
Next Question →
05
How do you want to be remembered?
AAs someone who never let the energy drop — relentless, loud, and alive.BAs someone who lived fully and on my own terms, unapologetically.CAs someone who was brutally honest and made music that meant something real.DAs someone who transcended genres, boundaries, and expectations entirely.EAs someone who changed the world — and left it genuinely better than I found it.
Next Question →
06
What kind of crowd do you want around you?
APeople who are there to have a blast — no pretension, just pure fun and noise.BA mix of rebels and free spirits who don't take themselves too seriously.CA loyal, passionate crew who are all in — intensity over numbers every time.DEveryone — I want to unite people who wouldn't normally be in the same room.EPeople who appreciate craft and feel genuinely connected by the music.
Next Question →
07
If you were writing a song, what would it be about?
AHaving a good time, turning it up, and not overthinking it.BStreet life, desire, and the rawness of being human.CAnger, grief, war, or the darker side of the world — music as a weapon.DSomething epic and emotional — love, loss, triumph, or pure fantasy.ESomething personal and universal at once — a feeling everyone can recognise.
Next Question →
08
What's your secret to staying relevant over time?
ANever change the formula — if it works, it works. Consistency is everything.BStay hungry, stay dangerous, and always keep a bit of that rebellious edge.CEarn respect through dedication — the work and the live show speak for themselves.DReinvent constantly — never let anyone put you in a box or predict your next move.EWrite songs so good they can't be ignored, in any decade, in any context.
Next Question →
09
You're playing to 80,000 people. What does your performance look like?
AA wall of sound and sweat — pure, unfiltered energy from first note to last.BLoose, cool, and dangerous — every song feels like it might fall apart but never does.CBrutal precision — tight, powerful, and leaving no one unmoved.DA full spectacle — lights, costumes, vocal acrobatics, and total theatrical command.EWarm, joyful, and tight — the crowd singing every word back at you.
Next Question →
10
Pick the word that best sums up your relationship with rock music.This is your tiebreaker — choose carefully.
ARaw — stripped back, high-voltage, no frills.BRolling — fluid, dangerous, built on blues and attitude.CHeavy — powerful, honest, uncompromising.DMajestic — theatrical, boundary-defying, unforgettable.ETimeless — melodic, human, built to last forever.
See My Result →
Your ResultYour Perfect Band Is Revealed Based on your personality, energy, and taste, the classic rock band that matches your soul is…
⚡ AC/DC You are pure, undiluted rock energy. You don't need tricks, trends, or theatrical gimmicks — you have something more powerful: a riff that hits like a thunderbolt and an attitude that never wavers. Like AC/DC, you understand that simplicity executed with absolute conviction is its own form of genius. You're the person in the room who doesn't overthink it, doesn't pretend, and never turns the volume down. The highway to hell is a state of mind — and you've been on it since day one.
👅 The Rolling Stones You've got swagger that can't be taught. Rooted in the blues and soaked in street-level attitude, you move through life with a loose, dangerous elegance that draws people in without ever trying too hard. Like the Stones, you've seen it all, done most of it, and somehow look better for it. You're not chasing perfection — you're chasing truth, groove, and that electric moment when everything clicks. Can't always get what you want? You tend to get it anyway.
👑 Queen You are magnificent, and you know it — not from arrogance, but from an unshakeable sense of self that has never needed anyone's permission. Like Queen, you defy every category people try to place you in. You blend the epic with the intimate, the operatic with the anthemic, the serious with the playful. You live boldly, love fiercely, and perform every aspect of your life as though the whole world is watching. Because sometimes it is. We are the champions — and so are you.
🎸 The Beatles You have the rarest of gifts: the ability to make something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. Like The Beatles, you're a natural connector — someone whose warmth, curiosity, and creative instincts draw people together across every divide. You believe in melody, in craftsmanship, and in the quiet power of a song that says exactly what someone needed to hear. You've changed the people around you just by being who you are. All you need is love — and you give it generously.
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.