Get Back

:This article is about the song. For the album project of the same name, see Let It Be.

Recording, in the studio and on the roof

Shortly after the Beatles first recorded "No Pakistanis", George Harrison left the band, claiming he would never return. However, his absence was not made public; during that period, the Get Back project was abandoned temporarily. Two weeks later, Harrison returned, and the Beatles resumed work. On January 27, the Beatles completed the take of "Get Back" which would be released on Let It Be. The following day, they recorded "Get Back" again; the final coda would later be lifted from one of these sessions and edited into the single release.

Related Topics:
George Harrison - January 27

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Preston joined the Beatles on the electric piano during these last two sessions, having been recruited by Harrison as a method to prevent excessive bickering among the Beatles. Harrison's idea worked—the Beatles avoided fighting, as they had during earlier sessions, when Preston was present.

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The Beatles also performed "Get Back" and a few other songs from the project intended to be released as the Get Back album on the roof of Apple Studios in Savile Row, London on January 30, 1969. This would be the Beatles' last public performance. "Get Back" was performed in full three times; on the third and final time, the Beatles' performance was interrupted by the police, who had received complaints from office workers nearby. When Mal Evans saw the police coming, he turned off the amplifiers, but was interrupted by Harrison, who insisted that they would see the song out. It was during this period that McCartney ad-libbed, "You've been playing on the roofs again, and you know your Momma doesn't like that, she's gonna have you arrested!" This did not appear on the Let It Be movie (which documented the Get Back project; an edited version of the rooftop performance was included), but is available on Anthology 3.

Related Topics:
London - January 30 - 1969 - Police - Mal Evans - Anthology 3

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When the Beatles concluded their final rendition of "Get Back", McCartney thanked Beatle Ringo Starr's wife, Maureen, for clapping, and Lennon ad-libbed, "I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition." Both were later edited into the end of "Get Back" on Let It Be, and closed the Beatles' last released album.

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