There are Beatles obvious. Yes, there are Beatles known.
Beatles whose fire’s gone out, and whose birds have flown.
And Beatles who were subtler fare, hidden along the way
while other Beatles advertised, like Deej Murray the K.

Of course, you know the ghosts of John and George, the Beatles Two
and don’t forget their living complement, those you know who.
But let us go into the others once of Beatle blood,
like Peter Best and Jimmie Nicol, Ringo’s drumming buds.

Let us remember an artist who was once Beatle true
who left to stay in Hamburg: none other than our Stu.
He wasn’t great at bass guitar; he gave what he could give.
He wasn’t great at permanence; he died rather than live.

If anyone’s a Beatle, it would be George Martin.
Any else who produced would find themselves smartin’.
Only that knight would have it all: the brains, the guile, the skills.
He did the Four of Fab such good! Not a bit of ill.

Manager Brian Epstein made them who they were.
And though he was never nominated to be Sir,
he certainly was considered as a Beatle fifth.
If not for him, the boys wouldn’t be famous, herewith.

Neil and Derek, Klaus and Mal, also nominees.
Each of them have places in our hearts, we all agree.
Each one of them a Beatle. Perhaps they all were Five.
If only any of them could now help the band revive!