Meta Description: Discover the story behind The Beatles’ 1995 release “Free as a Bird,” featuring John Lennon’s voice and a nostalgic nod to their musical roots. Learn how this iconic single was created from a demo tape.
The Beatles’ “Free as a Bird”: Reviving
In 1995, The Beatles shocked the world with a new single, “Free as a Bird,” released 25 years after the band’s breakup and 15 years after John Lennon’s death. While it may not have been peak Beatles, the song still encapsulated the elements that made them the most revered rock act in history, featuring a vocal and piano part from Lennon.
The Origins of “Free as a Bird”
The song originated from a home demo Lennon had recorded in 1977, marking the tape “For Paul.” Yoko Ono, Lennon’s widow, donated the tape to Paul McCartney, and the remaining Beatles completed the song by adding new lyrics, vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass, and drum parts. George Harrison contributed a slide guitar solo reminiscent of his early post-Beatles work.
Nostalgic Ending with a Ukulele
Harrison also played the ukulele in the song’s slightly unsettling ending, which features a snippet of Lennon’s voice, seemingly back from the dead. The award-winning music video for “Free as a Bird” includes reversed footage of the young Beatles, ending with a performer resembling George Formby, a famous ukulele player from their childhood. This homage invokes a sense of nostalgia, as Formby was a significant influence on the young Beatles.
John Lennon’s Voice and Its Significance
Lennon’s voice snippet is placed over the ukulele part at the end of the track. In a nod to Formby, Lennon says, “Turned out nice again!” This expression serves as a fitting finale, reflecting the musical tradition The Beatles inherited and their successful completion of a new recording. The group played around with the snippet, reversing and speeding it up, creating the illusion that Lennon was saying, “Made by John Lennon.” This accidental curiosity added to the many idiosyncrasies in The Beatles’ studio recordings.
A Tribute to Their Musical Roots
The inclusion of the ukulele vignette also references Lennon’s musical roots. The ukulele was the first instrument he learned to play, thanks to his mother, Julia, and it served as a bridge to his first guitar. This nostalgic element ties the song to the band’s beginnings, making “Free as a Bird” a tribute to their musical journey.
