SONGBOOK
SOMETHING/COME TOGETHER
A-side:
Something (Harrison)
A-side:
Come Together (Lennon-McCartney)
Released: 8 November 1969 (Apple)
Highest chart position: 4
Weeks in chart: 12
FAB FACT
It was Allen Klein’s idea to release ‘Something/Come Together’ as a single, the first time a Beatles song had been released after its inclusion on an album.
FAB FACT
‘Something’ was written during the White Album sessions, but not fully worked on until mid-1969. Over the sessions, George was unsure about his guitar solo and had to record with the orchestra as there were no room for more overdubs. His performance when it came to recording was note-perfect and emotionally resonant.
‘Something’ is the second-most covered Beatles’ song after ‘Yesterday’. It’s been recorded by hundreds of artists, and was memorably described by Frank Sinatra as ‘the greatest love song of the past fifty years’.
FAB FACT
When John met Timothy Leary in Canada, Leary was campaigning to become Governor of California, running against Ronald Reagan. His campaign slogan was ‘Come Together, Join the Party’, and he asked John to write him a campaign song. Instead, John took the phrase and composed this rumbling, bluesy countercultural shout-out.
FAB FACT
With its opening line echoing the Chuck Berry song ‘You Can’t Catch Me’, John was sued by Morris Levy, the copyright owners of Berry’s music. As part of the court settlement, John agreed to record ‘You Can’t Catch Me’ and other Levy-owned rock ’n’ roll numbers, Berry’s ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’ and Lee Dorsey’s ‘Ya Ya’, which formed part of his Rock ’n’ Roll album released in 1975.