The true mark of a great song is one that you can perform in many styles, and the meaning still holds. The simplest definition of a ballad(e) is a song that tells a story, so while the original Beatles version was clearly a Rock & Roll dance beat, these slower versions ("Across the Universe", Glee", and Donny's) show that the story is the most important part, and not the beat. Classic, simple words that pack a punch. Nice job Donny.