The Beatles are often called the greatest band in music history, and for years many fans assumed their biggest hits always meant all four members were present. But a Reddit discussion has resurfaced a detail that made people pause: some songs credited to The Beatles are, in practice, almost solo recordings by a single member. Yesterday, Blackbird, Julia—not because they’re lacking, but because they’re intensely personal. One voice, one instrument, one quiet space. To some fans, it’s a “glaring issue” because they want every track to include Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr. To others, that very simplicity is what turns these songs into legends. So the question lingers: are these Beatles songs… or solo songs wearing a band name?

The Beatles fans spot ‘glaring issue’ with key songs including Yesterday and Blackbird

Arguably the most famous artist in the history of popular music, The Beatles’ career spanned 12 studio albums and countless other releases between 1963 and 1970. Formed in their native Liverpool, England, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were responsible for countless hits, the majority of which were penned by Lennon and McCartney.

Whilst the pair were co-credited on every song they wrote, often only just one of them was responsible, receiving no musical or lyrical input from their bandmates. On top of that, a select number of the Fab Four’s songs feature only one member on their recordings too.

Some fans believe this is a glaring issue – as they’d prefer every Beatles hit to feature every key band member. Several supporters have been discussing this issue on Reddit recently.

Discussion was prompted when one Redditor asked: “Beatles songs that were literally just solo songs? I’m talking about songs that basically had no additions or suggestions from other members, and could’ve easily been a song they released on a solo album.”

One person was quick to suggest Julia, taken from 1968’s self-titled album, also known as The White Album. “Literally only John did anything for the song,” they said. “By did anything, I meant play an instrument. John played every instrument.”

A second Reddit user added Yesterday to the list, claiming “fifth Beatle” and producer George Martin even suggested it should have been released as a McCartney solo single – only for manager Brian Epstein vetoed it.

A third said of 1968 non-album single, The Inner Light: “There are a few but none come closer to being an actual solo song than The Inner Light.

“With it’s backing track recorded in India during the Wonderwall Music sessions and George being the only Beatle on the song except for John and Paul joining in on the final line, it’s the only Beatles song that would’ve made MORE sense as a solo release in my opinion.”

Another White Album title came in the form of Good Night (Lennon), whilst the similarly titled Goodbye (McCartney) features on the deluxe version only of Abbey Road.

“I believe Paul specifically wrote that for Mary Hopkins, and the version included on Abbey Road deluxe is just his home demo version,” a Reddit user explained.

Others pointed out Harrison’s Within You Without You which did feature other musicians, albeit not any other members of The Beatles.

Meanwhile another fan claimed he’d devised the complete list. They wrote: “I made this list a few years ago and I believe these are all the songs that have just a single Beatle featured on the recording.

“Yesterday (Paul); Within You Without You (George); Wild Honey Pie (Paul); Blackbird (Paul); Julia (John); Mother Nature’s Son (Paul); Good Night (Ringo); Her Majesty (Paul).

“Obviously some of the other Beatles were involved in different ways on these tracks, but they’re not on the recordings.”