If you fall into the "99 percent of all people on planet earth" demographic, then you are probably a Beatles fan. And if your only knowledge of the members' solo work consists of the Lennon Legend compilation and the poster of John wearing a "New York City" t-shirt, then you, my friend, are missing out on some classic albums.

Hence, I've devised a "Best of" list for the under-appreciated solo works of John, Paul and George. Albums like Imagine, McCartney and All Things Must Pass were not included because the point of the list is to shed more light on the ones nobody talks about.

I know what you're thinking, "Poor Ringo always gets shafted." Ringo does have some decent albums credited to his name, but the only ones worth discussing are mostly ghostwritten, often by former Beatles themselves. Representing him would be too complicated — sorry Starkey.

So without further ado, here the top five forgotten post-Beatles solo works:

1) Ram (1971) — Paul McCartney

Despite being one of the great highway-at-sunset-listening albums of the early '70s, Ram received only moderate praise upon its initial release. Critics were still immersed in post-Beatles skepticism, eager to decry any lone Beatle's attempt to recreate their collective magic. In retrospect, however, Ram has garnered the acknowledgment it deserves. It is, simply put, Paul at his finest. His blues-pop wizardry is nothing short of spectacular.

In addition to the inside booklet's overtly symbolic picture of two beetles fornicating, McCartney incorporates spot-on wit in much of Ram's balladry. The epic single "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" features a verse of Paul singing in a comically uptight English persona a la Peter Sellers' British envoy in Dr. Strangelove. Paul has never been more creative and versatile with his vocal deliveries, whether he's showing off his "Helter Skelter" screaming voice, providing atmospheric purring noises, or imitating instruments like he did with the mock bass-line of "I Will." On top of that, Linda's backups are adorable and fitting, despite what critics have said to sabotage her.

2) Mind Games (1973) — John Lennon

From the first notes of the opening title track, Lennon successfully reaffirms his importance as one of world's most powerful songwriters. This is the archetypal Lennon album; half the songs contain his ardent liberal diatribe while the rest focus on his other favorite topic of discussion, the complete and utter worship of Yoko Ono ("I was born just to get to you"). Although much the album's leftist political honky-tonk gets on my nerves, there's no way around it — "Meat City" is an absolute jam. John also communicates his rebellious politics in the most feel-good way possible with the anthemic "Bring On the Lucie (Freda People)" — "Freda" being short for "free the." Lennon the satirist is at the peak of his powers when he tells evil politicians, "So while you're jerking off each other/ You better bear this thought in mind/ Your time is up, you better know it."

3) Brainwashed (2002) — George Harrison

George's final album was posthumously finished by his son Dhani (who looks more like his clone than his child) and longtime collaborator Jeff Lynne. Thankfully, George didn't let a losing battle with cancer even remotely impede his songwriting abilities or make them overly dramatic; Brainwashed proves to be a heart-wrenchingly poignant note to go out on. We're reminded of George's powers of composition with the gorgeous ethereal instrumental "Marwa Blues," whose majestic synth and delicate lead slide sound a bit like the spacey intro to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." Listening to this Beatle finale will put a smile on your face and make you sway with emotion.

4) Tug of War (1982) — Paul McCartney

If you can get past the crisp, ultra-'80s production and the PBS-style lyrics of the Stevie Wonder collaboration "Ebony and Ivory," this is a very worthwhile listen. McCartney's decision to reunite with ex-Beatles producer George Martin did have its pros and cons: The arrangements are as top-notch as they come, but the homemade warmth of Ram and McCartney is long gone. Still, "Wanderlust" is as flawless a pop song as anything Paul did with the Beatles, and the title track is as moving a call for peace as the less-symbolic attempts of his former competitor. Speaking of which, the main disappointment is an anti-climatic ode to John entitled "Here Today," whose melody and lyrics are beyond tripe ("I am holding back the tears no more — I love you."). You can't help but wonder why Paul didn't designate a better song to one of the most tragic topics of his career.

5) Extra Texture (1975) — George Harrison

George's life after the Beatles was the most interesting of the three. Listening to his prominent but comparatively economic discography, there is very little evidence that ties him to his past life as a member of the Fab Four. It's as if he had this fluid, loopy, slide-driven side all along, bubbling and oozing in an attempt to get out, that finally blossomed the moment he left the Beatles. However, Extra Texture does feature an homage to the Beatles-era George with "This Guitar (Can't Keep From Crying)." It is a completely different song from its title-related predecessor, "As My Guitar Gently Weeps," but has an intentionally similar minor-key mood. Other highlights include the opener "You," in which George accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of making a respectable pop song whose chief cathartic line is "I love you."

Albums to avoid would include McCartney and Wings' wildly stupid Wild Life, and a string of painful-to-listen-to, experimental albums that John and Yoko put out. For instance, you could buy The Wedding Album or you could pay me 15 bucks to scream in your ear for half an hour; both would provide the same amount of enjoyment. NOTE: the hard-hitting Plastic Ono Band does not fall in this category.

Failed albums aside, you have to remember that John, Paul and George each possessed the same DNA after the Beatles as they did when they wrote all those '60s classics. It is folly to assume that they wouldn't be able to keep up the brilliant work, especially if you've never even heard the above albums.