The Beatles see both “In My Life” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” return to the charts in the U.K. as “Now and Then” climbs again. LONDON – MAY 19: English singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon (1940-1980), English singer, songwriter and bassist Paul McCartney, English musician, singer and drummer Ringo Starr and English musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist George Harrison (1943-2001) of the Beatles attend a press party at the home of manager Brian Epstein supporting the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, May 19, 1967, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images)
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The Beatles are one of only a handful of musical acts that can almost always be found on the music charts in the United Kingdom. The four musicians – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison – are still regarded as superheroes, and the band they formed decades ago as perhaps the most important in music history.
Typically, The Beatles appear on a handful of albums-focused rankings, as consumption of the group’s most famous tunes, as well as the projects in full, keeps the outfit charting. Sometimes, as is the case this frame, multiple hits by the band are present as well. This time around in the U.K., several different tracks reappear, becoming bestsellers again as interest in specific moments in Beatles history surges.
“In My Life” by The Beatles Becomes a Chart Hit Again
“In My Life” is the biggest comeback between the pair of Beatles cuts that find their way back to U.K.-based lists. The tune reenters both the Official Singles Downloads and Official Singles Sales rosters, returning at Nos. 72 and 80, respectively.
“In My Life” Never Reached the Top 40
Despite being one of the sweetest Beatles tunes, “In My Life” has never managed to reach the top 40 on either sales ranking it appears once again this period. “In My Life” debuted on the Official Singles Downloads chart in 2010, and it was not until almost a decade later, in mid-2019, that it finally reached the all-encompassing list of the bestselling tracks throughout the nation.
“I Want to Hold Your Hand” Becomes a Top Seller Again
At the same time that “In My Life” finds its way to two sales lists, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” also becomes a strong seller once more. The early-career release surges back onto the Official Physical Singles chart, which looks only at tunes available on CD, cassette, or vinyl. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” currently sits at No. 50 after not finding space on the ranking at all last frame.
“Now and Then” Continues as a Beatles Chart Staple
“Now and Then,” which The Beatles released decades after breaking up using the help of artificial intelligence to make sure all four members played a role, has no need to return. The Grammy-winning song surges from No. 85 to No. 77 on the Official Physical Singles list, falling more than 20 spaces below where “I Want to Hold Your Hand” rebounds at the moment.
What Was the Bigger Beatles Hit: “Now and Then” or “I Want to Hold Your Hand”?
2nd July 1964: The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, pictured on their arrival in London following a tour of Australia. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
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Looking at the Official Physical Singles ranking, “Now and Then” is easily the bigger win between the two Beatles cuts that are present. “Now and Then” has spent 88 frames on the chart, seven of which were at No. 1. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” has only racked up a few months on the list and stalled one space shy of adding to the group’s list of rulers.
1967–1970 Surges on Two Albums Charts – But Where is 1962-1966?
This week, only one compilation from The Beatles finds space on the charts. 1967–1970 lifts on both the Official Albums Streaming and Official Albums rosters, pushing to Nos. 55 and 62, respectively.
Typically, 1967–1970, which is commonly referred to as The Blue Album, is accompanied by its companion 1962–1966 — also known as The Red Album — but at the moment, that other half of the double release is nowhere to be found.
Six Decades Separate The Beatles’ Current Hits
What is perhaps most amazing about the performance of The Beatles on the U.K. charts right now is the gap between the earliest hit and the group’s newest. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was released in late 1963, while “Now and Then” dropped in late 2023. Almost exactly six decades separate the songs, and yet they chart together.
