Before George Harrison dedicated large chunks of his solo albums to songs about his devotion to the Almighty, he wrote some biting lyrics chastising those who worship a different power, the almighty dollar. “Taxman” is his most famous financial finger-pointing, but “Piggies” may be an even more caustic commentary because it’s targeted at a larger, nameless audience.

Neither compare, though, to Lennon/McCartney’s “Can’t Buy Me Love,” which inspired this documentary about Dr. McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy paying someone to pretend to be his girlfriend.

 

Essentially Animal Farm set to music, this bizarre baroque piece is perhaps a bit too clever for its own good, and the last verse especially feels like George is patting himself on the back for sticking it to the man. That said, you have to love the line “what they need’s a damn good whacking” (a contribution from George’s own mother), and “Piggies” does feature another one of those unheralded Beatles moments, with George’s delivery on the phrase “starched white sheerts.” The “one more time” finale feels a bit unnecessary, but that’s a minor criticism.

This means that 3/4 of George’s White Album contributions have appeared on the countdown so far, but I can assure you that the last of them, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” won’t show up for quite some time. Remember, all Beatles songs are equal but some are more equal than others.