10 Greatest Beatles Classic Rock Songs
8. The Ballad Of John And Yoko
While the Beatles excelled at various genres and styles throughout their career, many of their best classic rock tracks come from their final few albums and with good reason. Advances in studio technology allowing for heavier, louder tracks combined with the moods of the bands twin creative leaders.
John was slowly tiring of studio experiments and, collaborations with Yoko aside, was moving towards the ‘50s inspired rock’n’roll sound that characterised much of his solo career. Paul meanwhile could sense the group drifting apart. He pushed for a return to a time when The Beatles were closer as a unit, clinging to his identity as part of the band.
Both of those factors converge on The Ballad of John and Yoko with John corralling Paul into the studio at short notice to record this rock’n’roll belter. If John needed help Paul was happy to oblige and fills in for Ringo on drums while John takes lead guitar in George’s absence.
The simple, three chord track is a rollicking Fifties throwback, recalling the band’s early influences. Specifically, it quotes from 1956 song Lonesome Tears In My Eyes, a track that The Beatles had previously covered for BBC radio.
The lyrics have a much more contemporary feel, literally detailing Lennon and Ono’s marriage, travel itinerary and press conferences of the previous few weeks.