“Free As a Bird” — The New Beatles Song
12 years ago today, “Free As a Bird” was unveiled as the first “new” Beatles’ song since the band broke up in the early ’70s.
I remember watching the first night of The Beatles Anthology on ABC with my mom, dying to hear this new song that wasn’t really a new song at all. Yoko Ono provided Paul, George, and Ringo with an unfinished John Lennon demo that was then fashioned into a Beatles’ song with the help of producer Jeff Lynne.
The genesis of the song drew scathing responses from some critics, and “Free” wasn’t helped by the fact Lennon’s voice sounded like it had been recorded in an underwater phonebooth. Those flaws aside, I still love this song. I love George Harrison’s inimitable, lyrical slide guitar work. I love hearing Paul and George (and John, even with the recorded limitations) sing together again, and the brief homage of Beatles-isms at the song’s end. The Beatles’ ability to harmonize is nearly unparalleled in rock music and is just one of the many things that made this band special.
What makes all of this all the more bizarre is that after yesterday’s piece about John Lennon, I started listening to the Anthology sets for the first time in who knows how long. It’s funny how it all comes together.
Filed under: The Beatles
