Why The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ Album Was Streets Ahead Of Its Time
With some of the most magisterial songs The Beatles ever wrote, ‘Abbey Road’ was the final album they recorded, and stands among their finest.
Prior to September 26, 1969, most people in the world were blissfully unaware that Abbey Road was the location of EMI’s London recording studios. Some keen fans may have spotted the name in news reports of The Beatles’ activities, but this was a time when it was of little importance to most fans where something was recorded. Ironically, given the album’s title, not all of Abbey Road was recorded at Abbey Road, and, in truth, the title is as much about the street and the zebra crossing outside as it is about the studio itself.
But when all is said and done, the album is for many, including this writer, the absolute pinnacle of the band’s achievements. All this, despite having been recorded as the band was breaking up amid internal strife and bitterness.
Recently named one of Apple Music’s Best 100 Albums of All-Time, listen to Abbey Road now.
Short-sighted reception
Abbey Road was The Beatles’ 11th studio album and the very last to be recorded (their 12th – and last-released – studio album, Let It Be, was mostly recorded prior to this record). Rolling Stone magazine called it “complicated instead of complex”, while Nik Cohn, writing in The New York Times, suggested that “individually” the songs are “nothing special”, The Guardian called the album “a slight matter”, and the Detroit Free Press suggested, “We expected inventiveness. We got a good LP.”
However, Chris Welch, writing in Melody Maker, felt just the opposite: “The truth is, their latest LP is just a natural born gas, entirely free of pretension, deep meanings or symbolism.” Similarly enthusiastic, The Record Mirror said that Abbey Road was “every bit as good as the last three” albums by the group. History, too, has been much kinder, with many now citing this as their favorite Beatles album.
What makes Abbey Road a masterpiece?
What is it that makes Abbey Road a masterpiece? Well, the breadth of the musical vision, the sheer scale of the band’s collective musical imagination, and the audacity of it all, at a time when The Beatles were coming to the end of their time together.
And then there are the two George Harrison masterpieces, “Here Comes the Sun” and “Something”; both rank alongside the best songs the band ever recorded. Of the former, uDiscover’s Martin Chilton, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says “it’s almost impossible not to sing along to” – and he’s right.
“Something” is sublime, the perfect love song, and John Lennon’s favorite track on the album. Often prior to performing it in concert, Frank Sinatra would describe it as “the greatest love song ever written” (while also erroneously saying it was his favorite “Lennon and McCartney composition”).
Something to luxuriate in
Side Two’s 15-minute “medley” begins with “You Never Give Me Your Money,” a Paul McCartney song. It transitions beautifully into “Sun King,” which was written by John and features John, Paul, and George’s impeccable harmonies. From there the medley runs into two more Lennon songs, “Mean Mr Mustard” and “Polythene Pam” (both written in India). Then it’s a quadruple shot from McCartney: “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window,” the beautiful “Golden Slumbers” and “Carry That Weight” (which includes elements from “You Never Give Me Your Money”), before the medley closes with “The End.”
Opinion is divided among some fans and critics about some of the remaining tracks. However, there is no disputing the power, no denying the magnificence, of two of John Lennon’s compositions. “Come Together” is one of the great opening tracks on any album. Likewise, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” just takes the band to a place they had never been before… towering.
The songs not entirely recorded at Abbey Road were “Something,” which features some overdubs recorded at Olympic Studios in Barnes, West London. For “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” the band recorded the rhythm track in February 1969, at Trident Studios in Soho’s Wardour Street, where a composite of the song was then assembled. Work continued on the song until August (including a session on August 8, when the album’s cover shoot also took place), as recordings were added to the original Trident tape; the finished song, completed at Abbey Road, was another composite made from two versions of the song. Meanwhile, “You Never Give Me Your Money” was started at Olympic in May 1969, and then finished at Abbey Road over a number of sessions in July and August.
Abbey Road is far greater than the sum of its parts, a record that, more than any other Beatles album, stands the test of time when played as a whole. It is not an album to cherry-pick tracks on random play – this is one to put on, to luxuriate in “Come Together,” and to finish with a smile on your face as Paul sings about Her Majesty being “a pretty nice girl” on the closing, “hidden” track.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Abbey Road
1
George Harrison was sitting in the garden of Eric Clapton’s country house when he began writing “Here Comes The Sun.”
2
All four Beatles were together in the recording studio for the last time on August 20, 1969, when they finalized a mix of Abbey Road.
3
According to George Harrison, the guitar parts on “Sun King” were inspired by the sound of Fleetwood Mac’s big hit single, “Albatross.”
4
The word “pataphysical,” as heard in “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer,” came from the French avant-garde writer Alfred Jarry, who died in 1907. Paul became interested in his writing and discovered “pataphysics” (defined by Jarry as the “science of imaginary solutions”) in one of the writer’s later works.
5
“Come Together” was banned by the BBC in 1969 because it mentions Coca-Cola and the company had a policy against product placement in songs broadcast on the radio.
6
“Octopus’s Garden,” written by Ringo Starr, was inspired while he was on board Peter Sellers’ yacht in the Mediterranean. The boat’s captain told Ringo how octopuses gather stones and shiny objects from the sea bed to build gardens.
7
According to John Lennon, he asked Yoko Ono to play the chords to Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” backward to create “Because.” This is not entirely accurate, but it is very close to the overall sound of The Beatles’ song.
8
As Ringo explained, the idea of the Side Two medley was born out of necessity: “John and Paul had various bits, and so we recorded them and put them together. A lot of work went into it. That last section is, for me, one of the finest pieces we put together.” Paul embraced the idea enthusiastically. “It gave the second side a sort of operatic structure, which was quite nice because it got rid of all these songs in a good way.”
9
“She Came In Through the Bathroom Window” was inspired by an incident when one of the Apple Scruffs (the girls who hung about outside The Beatles’ office) climbed in to McCartney’s house via the bathroom window. She then let in some of the other girls, who stole photos and clothes.
10
Some of the lyrics for “Golden Slumbers” are based on “Cradle Song,” a poem and lullaby from Thomas Dekker’s 1603 comedy, Patient Grissel. McCartney saw the sheet music, left by his stepsister Ruth, on the piano at his father’s home in Liverpool.
Me
September 27, 2017 at 11:50 pm
Ironic that the first song is come together. And the last song is the end. Aside from that little rid bit.
The Hat
September 28, 2017 at 12:14 am
I struggle with it. At the time of its release, I probably thought of it as damn good. Later, I got a bit cynical and felt that they just rushed the thing together – however polished it may sound – just to cash in one last time before the split. But there are some gems on there.
Cletus Rothschild
September 28, 2017 at 1:13 am
Oh please. It looks more like you rushed your comment together because you forgot to put the “ass” in front of “hat”.
Josh
September 28, 2017 at 7:20 am
Daaammmmmmnnnnnnnn
dwrb
August 14, 2019 at 8:09 pm
As you did with Clet-‘ass’.
Dave.
September 28, 2017 at 12:18 am
Musically it was inovative too. The Moog synthesiser is much in evidence on ‘Here Comes the Sun’ And ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’.
‘Carry That Weight’ seems to prefigure the aporobrium Paul McCartney suffered following his announcement that he was leaving the band, while The End’ sums up perfectly the reason why 50 years on they are still so popular.
Geepa
September 28, 2017 at 12:26 am
If someone axed me what my favorite Beatles song was, I’d have to say Abbey Road, Side 2.
mcr
September 28, 2017 at 12:55 am
yes indeed
Beatleboy
September 28, 2017 at 11:32 pm
If someone AXED you, you would be pretty damn bloodied up. It’s ASKED!
Andyc
September 29, 2017 at 11:10 pm
I couldn’t agree more. In fact, if somebody asked me what my favourite recording was, I’d say Abbey Road side 2! On a quality audio system, when the bass kicks in on Here Come The Sun it hits you in the chest and that’s just to start. Unbelievable on every level.
Beatleman54
September 30, 2017 at 3:39 am
There best sonic achievment. Full of happines as well as sadness. Forward looking and Progressive. Lyrics in The End were great , almost sums up the entire1960’s.
Timothy
September 28, 2017 at 12:45 am
No mention of “Because,” which immediately proceeds the medley on the B side. Awesome three-part harmony of Lennon-McCartney-Harrison, recorded 3 times, providing 9 vocals in total. Greatness!!
Greg Broussard
September 28, 2017 at 12:52 am
While I prefer Rubber Soul and Revolver to Abbey Road the song Because is amoung my favorite Beatles’ songs. The three part harmony is impeccable. Also, the two George Harrison compositions show what a talented songwriter he was. Having two Harrison songs on one album is enough to make this Beatles fan more than happy! These two Harrison compositions, along with several other of his songs on other albums, show that he was, in my opinion, certainly as prolific a song writer as Lennon and McCartney.
curtB
September 30, 2017 at 6:19 am
Hardly as prolific. he built up a dozen or more songs that were unfinished while in the beatles that were rejected, apparently for being unfinished compared to J&P who usually just needed a bridge or some words to finish a song up. George showed up with a chorus and a bit of the music and needed a lot more work on songs he later put out on his 1st album.
George started writing much later than the other 2 and didn’t have their support system they had for each other so I praise his rise as a song writer but the other 2 were a lot more prolific as george and ringo have said.
HerbieGrandma
September 30, 2017 at 1:03 pm
Agree completely
ottomarcos
September 28, 2017 at 1:18 am
As was customary for me with new Beatles albums, I rushed to the record store after school and bought Abbey Road on the day it was released. I considered it an early 15th-birthday present to myself. Naturally, it blew me away upon first listen. I probably played it 6 or 7 times that afternoon and evening. The next day, I sang some of the lyrics to “Come Together” while standing in the lunch line at school with several friends, who had no idea what I was singing. After I told them it was the first song on the new Beatles album, my friends all said they were going to buy it, ASAP. Sure enough, within a few days all these friends and I were singing lyrics from Abbey Road together at school. The Beatles couldn’t have created a better, or more fitting, final album to end the band’s stellar recording career. <3
Bob
September 28, 2017 at 1:56 am
“The love you take is equal to the love you make.” And wow did they make love for the whole world with every note! The chord that David played that pleased the Lord has nothing on Beatles music! The music of a period, an era and for all time….
Robert Hosack
September 28, 2017 at 3:06 am
The article stated: “Often prior to performing it [“Something”] in concert,Frank Sinatra would describe it as ‘the greatest love song ever written….’” I can testify that statement is true. In 1980 or 81, I saw Sinatra perform in Kansas City, Missouri, and he said those very words before he sang “Something.” Ever since then I have told many people about Sinatra’s comment, just like I’m doing now.
curtB
September 30, 2017 at 6:25 am
maybe I’m amazed may be a challenger to something for the greatest love song title in my opinion.
leandro rey
September 28, 2017 at 3:53 am
i`m from Uruguay, yes.. Suàrez and Cavani, i listen the Beatles since i was a boy , I learn to play the guitar thanks to them, i saw two times Paul Mc Cartney live in Estadio Centenario Montevideo, i don^t Know why but i feel a link with the music and de words, Abbey Road is a Master Piece but my favourite album is Rubber Soul it is the point of change and jump to other level.
When i^m down i listen The Beatles and i feel fine, greetings from Uruguay. Oh just one more thing.., my bad english i learned listen all the albums sorry..if it was too bad..
Rick
September 28, 2017 at 3:54 am
All 3 trading guitar solos on The End gave me the greatest visuals of them having at least one last good time before it was all over.
Doug Fisher
September 28, 2017 at 4:21 am
Side 2 of Abbey Road is the BEST side of any album ever produced anywhere any time,just my opinion.
Dean Mellis
September 28, 2017 at 11:50 pm
I agree. That’s the finest 20 minute stretch of music in human history.
Forest Vinson
May 10, 2020 at 11:16 pm
When the album came out i picked up a guitar a learned how to play that last 20 minuets. Now, that is all I play now, when I get to play.
Mike Hopkins
September 28, 2017 at 7:03 am
The Beatles had me hooked after Love me Do. PS I love you was a far better effort. Apart from Lennon’s harmonica Love me Do was probably the worst record they ever made. When you think of the journey they went on in the ensuing eight years, and take into account the pressure cooker existence they lived their achievements are even more astonishing. The medley on Abbey Road is the finest piece of rock music ever recorded, despite it’s being cobbled together almost by accident. Even after all this time I only have to hear that haunting piano and Paul’s wistful vocal on You Never Give me your Money to bring a year to my grizzled old face. They meant that much to me.
Jeanne Thomas
September 28, 2017 at 7:24 am
The first time I heard “Abbey Road” (I’d borrowed it from a friend), I must have listened to it at least three times in a row in one sitting.
The Beatles have always been my favorite band; right from the time I first saw them on the Ed Sullivan Show when I was five years old. From the very beginning, they forever changed how I’d listen to music.
Carlos Fernandes
September 30, 2017 at 6:22 am
I also was five when first saw/heard the Beatles on Ed Sullivan Show. And, aside the day JFK was killed, that’s the earliest recollection I have. It’s almost like I was born that day, and in some aspects I think I did, at least I was born to the importance music has in my life in general, and The Beatles in particular.
Thomas John Segers - Composer
September 28, 2017 at 9:25 am
When I was 11 in 1970, I listened to Something with the snow falling down at our home. I was
thinking of how romantic this song was and I wanted a girlfriend to be with at that moment just to
hold hands with and kiss because it was such a beautiful song. The hopeless romantic was in me
then as it is today.
Andy Rainbeard
September 28, 2017 at 10:43 am
Never understood why Macca recorded “Her Majesty”, ruined a fabulous album with a paean to the monarchy. Suppose he was hoping to be knighted.
Remdog510
September 29, 2017 at 1:49 am
The only reason Her Majesty was tacked onto the album was because an intern at Abbey Road Studio was told, “Don’t throw anything away.” He then threw Her Majesty on the end of the album without telling anyone. It was originally meant to go between Mean Mr. Mustard and Polythene Pam, and wasn’t even listed on the original track listing as it was meant to be cut.
Stuart
September 28, 2017 at 11:52 am
Andy, who says “Her Majjesty” refers to the Queen? It could have been for Linda, or one of his daughters, or even his dog Martha!
John Hirst
September 28, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Truly brilliant album from start to finish
Jim Strahan
September 28, 2017 at 1:01 pm
One of the greatest albums of our time.
Kris
September 28, 2017 at 8:09 pm
What amazes me the most is that you start with “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and end with “Come Together” along with everything in between over a five year period.
Mind blown@
Pedro Vazquez
September 28, 2017 at 9:40 pm
Totally amazing… teamwork and talent put together to show how 4 men together could make the world stand still to listen to it and simply enjoy the ride
Johnnie Farr
September 28, 2017 at 11:18 pm
I have a unique memory of the first time I heard the Abbey Rd album. I originally purchased the Hey Jude album but when I got it home and started playing it, much to my surprise, it was all the Abbey rd songs. The cover was the Hey Jude album and the center apple label listed the Hey Jude songs but when the record player started I heard Come Together and all the Abbey Rd tunes. I loved it, especially side two’s The End with it’s amazing guitar leads. Definitely, one of their best albums.
Dean Mellis
September 28, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Ever have that LP appraised?
Brian
September 28, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Or maybe not. Excellent critique here: “ C’mon, it’s a soulless piece of mediocrity that was cobbled together, and it’s the only Beatles album that relies on George Harrison’s songwriting for any sort of credibility. “. http://bocktherobber.com/2011/06/abbey-road-overrated-album/
Isaac Mizrahi
September 29, 2017 at 2:10 am
gee. where to begin?
i guess maybe ‘the time’/era…can’t be separated for me, at least, from this album…i was 18, living in b’klyn, and america was on fire…
but, aSIDE from that…most of you people don’t know shit to begin with. your lackings oooooze from your comments. ANY criticism of this work is LAUGHable…i mean SERiously. and who the fuck needs to compare it to any of their OTHER works? most of which, while pristine, or in the neighborhood, don’t even beGIN to be as sophisticated/multi layered as beginning with revolver through mystery tour.
the BIGgest morons, though, because they’ve SOMEhow managed to get themselves set up as ‘pundits’, are the MEDIA people/commentators…i mean, SURE…what should i expect…i KNOW some of you are musicians/musically inclined…THAT shows in your comments, as well…hell..some of you might even be professional(not that that’s a symptom of quality, necessarily)…
but these guys ARE getting paid. good bucks, too…i mean the NY TIMES???? but, obviously, what the fuck did HE know? it’s laughable and sad…
mostly b/c WE don’t know, much of the time.
again….evident in ANY critical comment about this work…
all the criticism indicates is that you just didn’t get it…for whatever reason/s…
but i’ll tell ya what it reminds me of…
all those times while getting here…hearing people talk about god…some saying they didn’t think ‘He’ existed. that they didn’t beLIEVE in him…and they’d SAY it with SUCH auTHOR(thunder AND lightning)ity…
i’d be listening. grinnin big. thinking to myself…’yeah. and if you’re wrong…? like it would mean something?’
Cathy
September 29, 2017 at 6:56 am
I’ve always felt that I can hear divorce happening in the three guitar solos during The End.
Richard Hydell and wrecked Google my band
September 29, 2017 at 3:33 pm
Me and my friend went to the record store and bought it ,Smoked some Angel dust and were blown away we were like 16.
Robert Britton
September 30, 2017 at 12:16 am
Brilliant Beatles album, far better than Sgt Pepper. I also chose Something for my first dance at my wedding 3 years ago.
Fred
September 30, 2017 at 12:54 am
If one would also notice, this is the 1st album that allowed Ringo for the 1st time to do a drum solo.
curtB
September 30, 2017 at 6:38 am
Ringo’s drum solo was actually extracted from him playing along to a recording of the others, and Paul and G Martin used the track he played on as the drum solo. Ringo had no idea, according to a few bios.
Paulo Schiavo
September 25, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Ringo nunca gostou de fazer solos de bateria. George Martin praticamente o obrigou a fazer.
johnny mac
September 30, 2017 at 6:02 am
talk about a crystal ball……….a masterpiece and critics couldn’t even hear it? that must have been good weed in them days?
james Sommerville
September 30, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer is about the worst track of all time….he should be embarassed to take credit for it
Rafff
September 30, 2017 at 6:35 pm
No doubt the most iconic picture of any album in the music history. In my opinion, “You Never Give Me Your Money ” its so underrated … The whole album, the whole concept … A masterpiece.
G. Robertson
September 30, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Brilliant music on both sides. And a note to the experts and critics: your judgment and critiques are invalid until you personally have produced superior music, with greater staying power, that’s still being played 50 years later. Your opinion is valid for you, but music is an artistic achievement, an emotional experience, don’t try to quantify it.
M Reed Brooks
March 18, 2018 at 2:48 am
I knew this album would be would be a classic the first time I heard it. I have never changed my opinion!
Scott Boan
September 25, 2018 at 5:26 pm
This ART (Abbey Road T-shirt) will be 25 years old when the album turns FIFTY next year. Still gets worn, too. It was one of the last cool gifts Mom (who passed in ’97) gave me.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156627276839054&set=p.10156627276839054&type=3&theater
Quincy Mbeki
October 31, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Handful of great songs, a bunch of mediocre material, great production. Not one of their better LPs.
Joey Self
September 28, 2022 at 3:04 am
There were several groups that let the Moog dominate their work; on ABBEY ROAD, the Beatles used it to tastefully augment a few songs.
Sebastian Baca
September 28, 2022 at 10:15 pm
For me, both this and “the Beatles” (White Album) are the cream of the Fabs’ crop! I can’t choose between ’em…
Joe Reaves
September 29, 2022 at 2:55 am
Ringo’s drumming on the album was the icing on the cake. Listen from “YNGMYM” to “The End”, they knew from the start it was to be a continuous cycle regardless of what Lennon would say.
Chris McElrea
September 27, 2023 at 8:41 am
#9 is not true! It was inspired by a story that Denny Laine told Paul when the Beatles and the Moody Blues toured together about a fan that crawled in through their bathroom window.