Recorded - May 2 and 5, July 11 and 16 & August 15, 1969 (Something), July 21-23, 25, 29 and 30, 1969 (Come Together)
Released - September 26, 1969 (UK and US)
#1 for week of November 29, 1969.
And now for something, completely different: Our first double A-sided #1 in the US, fittingly by one of the most groundbreaking bands in history. I decided for all double A-side reviews that I'll cover both songs in the same review, as both were equal chart toppers by the same group.
After the rather gloomy January sessions for the future Let It Be album, The Beatles slowly began recording songs for a more complex studio-based album. Some of these songs later wound up on Abbey Road, others such as "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" were released as singles. (The latter became a UK #1). It wasn't until July of '69 that The Beatles seriously buckled down on recording the new album. Even though they sensed an impending end for the group, the Abbey Road sessions were overall much happier and more joyous than the Get Back/Let It Be sessions.
It is really a shame that Abbey Road was the last recorded album by The Beatles. Even as late as 1969, there are songs included that point the way forward to a successful career during the next decade. The appropriately subtitled "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" is almost proto-heavy metal. "Oh Darling" features a blistering raw vocal by Paul McCartney which resembles 1970's hard rock. The side 2 medley which begins with "You Never Give Me Your Money" and ends fittingly with "The End", anticipates 1970's progressive rock and concept albums. Even Ringo gave us the joyful "Octopuses' Garden". Then there's Mr. George Harrison...
Both of the songs George contributes to Abbey Road, ("Here Comes The Sun" and "Something"), are not only among his finest works, but I'd consider them to be the best songs on the album. It just so happens that "Something" reached #1 here in the US. "Something" was written about Patti Boyd, the same person who would later inspire Eric Clapton's "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight". It's amazing how one woman can inspire three of the greatest love/tension songs ever recorded.
"Something" contains some of George Harrison's finest guitar playing. His guitar lines act almost as a duet with his vocals. "Something" also contains one of the finest uses of an orchestra in a pop song. The strings add emotion to what is already a powerful piece, and if one is in the right mood, it can even bring them emotion.
Paul is also on point with a fantastic bass line that acts as a nice companion to the melody. The keyboards are courtesy of John Lennon (Piano) and Billy Preston (Organ). George is the sole guitarist on "Something". Finally, there's Ringo's fantastic drumming, which reaches a dynamic peak during the song's powerful bridge.
While it may not have the same emotional resonance as "Something", John Lennon's "Come Together" is nonetheless, a stone cold classic. Adding to my theory that a 1970's Beatles could have been just as innovative, the song is a bluesy boogie that anticipates early 1970's pub rock. That bass-line is easily one of the top 5 bass-lines The Beatles ever recorded, and I'd even go as far as to rank it in the top 10 of all rock music.
Lyrically, "Come Together" is certainly up for interpretation. One theory that I've seen across the internet is that each verse refers cryptically to each of the four Beatles. For instance, the third verse references "Bag Productions", "Walrus" and "Ono", which certainly refers to John Lennon himself. On the other hand, perhaps both I and these theorists are reading too much into the music.
As if the dynamically tense verses weren't impressive enough, the solo sections of the song are like a pure shot of hard rock. With a pounding electric piano part courtesy of John, and stinging guitar solo by George Harrison, it's no wonder that later bands like Aerosmith later lovingly added the song to their repertoire. Finally, it would be a crime not to mention Ringo's tight tom-tom heavy drum part. Any time someone tries to undermine his role in The Beatles, point them in this song's direction!
While April 10th, 1970 is the usual given date for when The Beatles broke up, the day the band unofficially split was actually September 20, 1969. On this date, during a business meeting, John unexpectedly asked for a "Divorce" from the Beatles. The other three Beatles, Yoko, and manager Allen Klein were all shocked at this proclamation. For the next three months, the state of the band was up in the air. Regardless of how we all know things eventually turned out, there are still two more Beatles singles left to review in 1970...
Final Verdict - Though they may be two totally different songs, both in sound and emotion, "Something" and "Come Together" are among the finest songs not just by The Beatles, but of all time. If I had to pick a favorite though, it would be "Something". It remains one of the most powerful love songs of all time, and you can tell George meant every word he sang. Regardless, if you don't own the Abbey Road album, go out now and buy yourself a copy, you won't be disappointed!
Coming Up Next - "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam.
Until Next Time, I'm Dr. Rock and I say, it's alright -
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