One After 909

Album: Let It Be

Year: 1958? (written) / 1969 (recorded) / 1970 (released)

Written by: Lennon & McCartney

No one is really sure exactly when One After 909 was first written, but John claimed he was 17 or 18 when he composed this rocker, so the best guess is about 1958. The Beatles recorded the song several times – on at least two demo records in 1960 and as a possible b-side to one of their singles in 1963. They also performed it live in 1962 when they were the main attraction at Liverpool's Cavern Club, and a recording of the band rehearsing the song was made at that time. John was never satisfied with the lyrics, though, and the band was never happy about any of the recordings, so the song was shelved until 1969.

In early 1969, with the band members drifting apart from each other, they began filming a movie. The idea was to show the band rehearsing songs in preparation for a concert. After weeks of not being able to decide where to hold the show, The Beatles finally agreed to perform live on the roof of their newly-formed company, Apple Records. On a cold day in January, 1969, the four Beatles and some friends climbed up to a London rooftop and blew away the neighborhood with their loud rock music. It was their final live performance as a band. One After 909 was the fifth song they played that day on the roof.

John sings a great live vocal, with Paul joining him in harmony. Billy Preston, a young keyboard player who played with one of the Beatles' idols, Little Richard, and who the boys had met when they were in Hamburg, Germany, plays the electric piano.

Two of Us

Album: Let It Be

Year: 1969 (not released until 1970)

Written by: Lennon & McCartney

By the time The Beatles began recording the Let It Be album in early 1969, they had begun to grow apart and were on the road to breaking up. In an effort to re-energize the band, they began filming a movie that recorded them practicing new songs in preparation for their first concert since quitting touring nearly three years earlier. Instead of being a positive experience, the Let It Be movie caused more disagreements among the band members, and this video captures some of the sadness that hung over them at the time.

Despite their problems, however, The Beatles could still make some beautiful music! Paul's inspiration for this wistful, rambling song was the habit of taking long drives in the country with his soon-to-be wife, Linda Eastman, but most Beatles fans agree that the lyrics are also about his relationship with his best friend John. ("You and I have memories, longer than the road that stretches out ahead.") Paul was very hurt that John and he were not as close as they had always been before, due to John's relationship with his girlfriend and future wife Yoko Ono, who can be seen in this video sitting next to John.

Paul sings lead in this beautiful song, with John singing a lovely harmony throughout. In a rare turn, George can be seen playing the bass part on an electric guitar. (Paul was the usual bass player for The Beatles.)