Esprit de Corps: Chapter 5 Playlist Reveals 10 Timeless Lessons from the Beatles

The greatest lessons from the Beatles often came not from their individual genius, but from how they worked together. Chapter 5 of my upcoming book addresses the third pillar of their remarkable rise to the top: Esprit de Corps. During their meteoric rise, John, Paul, George, and Ringo remained incredibly close by setting egos aside, engaging in friendly competition, and approaching everything with humor.

This Friday Funday playlist celebrates ten songs that illuminate how their success stemmed not just from individual brilliance but from their unique chemistry, mutual support, and the joy they found in creating music together.

1. All Together Now (1969)

This sing-along gem from the Yellow Submarine album captures the pure joy of collective creation. With its childlike simplicity and enthusiastic group vocals, the title itself became a rallying cry for unity. The song was featured in the animated film Yellow Submarine, released in July 1968, though the track appeared on the 1969 soundtrack album. The straightforward arrangement allowed all four members to contribute equally, stripping away complexity to focus on togetherness. This perfectly embodies the esprit de corps that defined them at their best.

Leadership takeaway: Sometimes the simplest message delivered with unified enthusiasm creates the strongest impact.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1969

2. Come Together (1969)

One of their final great collaborations proves that teamwork can thrive even under tension. John wrote the foundation, but each member added distinctive genius: Paul's iconic bass line, George's subtle guitar work, and Ringo's instantly recognizable drum pattern. Released as the opening track of Abbey Road in September 1969, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 by November 1969. The song showcases how they could still function as a cohesive unit despite growing tensions, creating a perfect example of their collective genius.

Leadership takeaway: Great teams blend individual strengths into something greater than the sum of their parts.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1969

3. Paperback Writer (1966)

Listen closely to discover "Frère Jacques" sung in the background vocals, a playful inside joke that shows their willingness to have fun while creating serious art. Released as a single in May 1966, it topped charts in the UK, US, and nine other countries. Recorded at EMI Studios in April 1966, the song featured revolutionary bass-heavy production that pushed technical boundaries. The tight harmonies and perfect instrumental interplay demonstrate a team functioning at peak performance, approaching their craft with the great sense of humor that strengthened their esprit de corps.

Leadership takeaway: Humor and play don't diminish excellence; they enhance it by keeping teams energized and connected.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1966

4. Michelle (1965)

Born from Paul's playful habit of pretending to be French at parties, this charming ballad transformed humor into sophisticated artistry. The song's elegant French phrases and refined melody earned them the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1967. Recorded in November 1965 for the Rubber Soul album, it showcased their ability to elevate lighthearted moments into timeless art. John contributed the crucial middle eight section, turning Paul's concept into a complete masterpiece.

Leadership takeaway: The best teams transform each member's quirks and experiments into shared achievements.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1965

5. Taxman (1966)

George's biting political satire opened the groundbreaking Revolver album, demonstrating how the group supported his evolution as a songwriter. Recorded in April 1966 at EMI Studios, the song featured Paul playing the guitar solo when George struggled with the technically demanding part. This ego-free moment of support exemplifies the third pillar of their success: teammates supporting each other and setting egos aside for the greater good. The willingness to step in without diminishing the original creator shows true esprit de corps in action.

Leadership takeaway: Strong teams set egos aside, with members supporting each other's growth even when it means taking a supporting role.

Songwriter credit: Harrison, 1966

6. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band / With a Little Help from My Friends (1967)

These connected album openers showcase collaborative brilliance through a fictional band persona crafted specifically as a vehicle for Ringo's vocals. Released on the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album in June 1967, it spent 15 weeks at number one in the US. John and Paul tailored the songwriting specifically to Ringo's vocal strengths and range, demonstrating how great teams create opportunities for every member to shine. The innovative concept and execution won four Grammy Awards and remains an essential element of the esprit de corps that defined them.

Leadership takeaway: Exceptional leaders design roles that showcase each team member's unique strengths.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1967

7. Getting Better (1967)

This Sgt. Pepper's track perfectly illustrates how complementary viewpoints create balance and depth. Paul's optimistic "it's getting better all the time" is countered by John's realistic interjection "it can't get no worse," creating a lyrical dialogue that captures both hope and honesty. Recorded in March 1967 at EMI Studios, the song also featured George playing the innovative tamboura part. Their contrasting personalities didn't create conflict but enhanced the final product, showing how their friendly internal competition strengthened rather than weakened their bond.

Leadership takeaway: Diverse perspectives within a team create more robust solutions than unanimous agreement.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1967

8. All My Loving (1963)

This song launched the Ed Sullivan Show performance on February 9, 1964, introducing 73 million Americans to Beatlemania. In a powerful display of group-first mentality, John deferred the spotlight to Paul for this crucial opening moment, exhibiting the group-first attitude that was so instrumental in their success. Recorded at EMI Studios in July 1963 for the With the Beatles album, it became one of their signature early hits. The decision to feature Paul's lead vocal on this high-stakes moment showed their commitment to the team over individual ego.

Leadership takeaway: True leaders recognize when others should take the spotlight for the team's greater success.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1963

9. Strawberry Fields Forever (1967)

John's deeply personal masterpiece became a group triumph through extraordinary collaboration. Each member contributed unique elements: Paul's inventive Mellotron introduction, George's swooping slide guitar, and Ringo's inventive percussion. Producer George Martin masterfully merged two different versions recorded in different keys and tempos, demonstrating a combination of skill and serendipity. Released as a double A-side single with "Penny Lane" in February 1967, the collaborative process transformed John's introspective vision into something greater through collective effort.

Leadership takeaway: Personal visions reach their full potential when teams bring their diverse talents to support the original creator.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1967

10. Penny Lane (1967)

Paul's nostalgic response to "Strawberry Fields Forever" illustrates the power of friendly competition pushing team members to greater heights. Both songs drew from Liverpool childhood memories but with contrasting perspectives: John's introspective surrealism versus Paul's warmhearted realism. Recorded in December 1966 and January 1967, the song featured a distinctive piccolo trumpet solo. This musical dialogue between band members enriched their collective output and drove innovation, showing how their different viewpoints enhanced each other's work.

Leadership takeaway: Healthy competition within teams elevates everyone's performance when grounded in mutual respect and shared goals.

Songwriter credit: Lennon & McCartney, 1967

MINI-FAQ

What are the most important lessons from the Beatles about teamwork?

The Beatles teach us that exceptional teamwork requires setting egos aside, supporting each member's growth, and maintaining humor even under pressure. Their ability to blend John's introspective edge with Paul's melodic optimism, while giving George and Ringo space to contribute meaningfully, created a balance that sustained them through unprecedented success. These lessons from the Beatles remain relevant for any team seeking to achieve extraordinary results.

How did the Beatles maintain esprit de corps during their rise to fame?

The Beatles maintained unity through three key practices: putting the group's success above individual recognition, engaging in friendly competition that pushed each member to improve, and approaching their work with genuine humor and joy. Songs like "Taxman" and "All My Loving" demonstrate moments where members stepped aside or supported each other's moments to shine, prioritizing collective achievement over personal glory.

Which Beatles songs best demonstrate their collaborative spirit?

"Come Together," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," and "Taxman" showcase the Beatles' collaborative genius most clearly. These tracks feature moments where individual members contributed elements outside their primary roles, supporting each other's creative visions. The lessons from the Beatles in these recordings show how great teams create space for every member's unique contribution.

What made the Beatles successful as a team?

The Beatles succeeded because they balanced individual brilliance with genuine teamwork, maintained perspective through humor, and created an environment where healthy competition drove innovation rather than division. Their ability to merge John and Paul's contrasting songwriting styles while elevating George's development and featuring Ringo's distinctive contributions created a whole greater than the sum of its parts.

How can modern teams apply lessons from the Beatles?

Modern teams can apply lessons from the Beatles by fostering environments where ego takes a backseat to collective goals, where members support each other's growth even when it requires personal sacrifice, and where humor and joy remain central to the work. Creating space for friendly competition while maintaining mutual respect, as John and Paul demonstrated with "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Penny Lane," drives both innovation and unity.

HOW THIS CONNECTS

These songs illuminate principles that transcend music and touch something deeper about human connection and purpose. As we explore in December's theme of Faith and Spirituality, the Beatles' esprit de corps reflected a kind of faith in each other and in their shared mission that sustained them through extraordinary challenges. Their story offers practical wisdom you can apply today, whether you're leading a team or simply seeking inspiration for collaboration. Discover more timeless insights through our Daily Words of Wisdom, and explore how these principles connect to modern leadership in my upcoming books.

LISTEN & LEARN

Take time to listen to these tracks and hear the teamwork in action:

• All Together Now

• Come Together

• Paperback Writer