Beatles Solo Albums Ranked Worst to Best

As groundbreaking as the Beatles no doubt were, their discography unfolded in a remarkably small window of time. The group's entire recorded history unfolded over 12 albums between 1963 and 1970.

There was no reason to believe their solo careers that followed would be any different. But the legends built during those eight years would provide a foundation for decades (and decades) of music from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Even John Lennon and George Harrison, who both died far too soon, produced albums over a longer period of time than the Beatles.

Lennon, felled by an assassin's bullet, issued seven albums following the Beatles' swansong Let It Be. Harrison released nine solo of his own through 1987 before dying of cancer. Both were the subject of posthumous releases, Lennon in 1984 with Milk and Honey and Harrison in 2002 with Brainwashed.

What's the Best Beatles Solo Album?

Erstwhile bandmates McCartney and Starr had completed some 30 combined solo projects by then – and they were just getting started. In fact, both were still releasing well-regarded new albums well past retirement age.

Going into the '20s, McCartney was suddenly at the top of the charts again for the first time since 1982's Tug of War. During the same era, Starr made a critically praised return to the rootsy style of Beatles-era releases like "Don't Pass Me By" and his early solo album, Beaucoups of Blues.

Along the way, each had their notable stumbles. Without the key input of the other Beatles, they sometimes became a caricature of their former selves or wandered into musical dead ends. Lennon and McCartney, early on, let their disagreements leak into the work. There were times when Harrison and Starr seemingly became disinterested in their own music.

But the high points were high, indeed. McCartney and Starr's 2026 successes with The Boys of Dungeon Lane and Long Long Road, respectively, were echoes of the halcyon days of 1973, when both issued their most-heralded solo projects. (McCartney, in fact, was so prolific at this point that he released two albums in the same calendar year.)

The Beatles began their solo careers in the '70s with a string of big hit albums. (Apple / Capitol / Dark Horse / Polydor)

As you'll see in the following list of Beatles Solo Albums Ranked Worst to Best, all four of their careers included a stirring comeback – or two. There were albums that have only grown in estimation and others that still feel like time-stamped baubles. But how do they all stack up?

This list leaves aside Lennon's initial forays in soundscapes, live projects from all four and McCartney's classical stuff. On the other hand, we included albums devoted to cover songs – be that old-time rock, the pre-war standards or Yuletide offerings – since they can be so illuminating. By that count, we ended up with almost 70 candidates. Keep scrolling as we rank Beatles Solo Albums Ranked Worst to Best.