Two of Us

Let It Be was The Beatles' ninth and final studio album, and yet most consider Abbey Road to be The Beatles' final album. Wikipedia explains the simple reason:

Most of Let It Be was recorded in January 1969, before the recording and release of the album Abbey Road. For this reason some critics and fans, such as Mark Lewisohn, argue that Abbey Road should be considered the group's final album and Let It Be the penultimate.

I happen to agree, so I've summarized Abbey Road in the mindset that it was the end for the guys as a band. Let It Be was originally supposed to be released in 1969 before Abbey Road, but it was put on hold since the guys weren't pleased with how it sounded. After Phil Spector was asked to come around and shape it up (an extremely controversial and not-at-all-unanimous decision by the Beatles), it was finally released in 1970, after The Beatles had already broken up. 

The album also served as the soundtrack for the 1970 film of the same name, a documentary about the Beatles recording and rehearsing in January 1969; it featured their unannounced rooftop concert that was their last "public" performance, which ended with a joke from John.

The rooftop performance closed with the song "Get Back", and afterwards Lennon said, "I'd like to say 'thank you' on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition."

However, due to the tensions within the group at the time, the documentary "has frequently been referred to as a documentary intended to show the making of an album but instead showing 'the break-up of a band'."

Let It Be starts with today's song, "Two of Us". Wikipedia states:

The song was originally titled "On Our Way Home". McCartney claimed it was dedicated to his wife-to-be Linda Eastman, though the lyrics (e.g.: "you and I have memories/longer than road that stretches out ahead" or "you and me chasing papers/getting nowhere") sounded to author Ian MacDonald like they were actually addressing Lennon.

So, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, "Two of Us" sounds like it could've been included on the Juno soundtrack. The bad news is that personally, I'm surprised this song passed muster in the Abbey Road studio. It feels clunky and out-of-tune, and it goes on much too long--probably because I'd like it to be over sooner rather than later. The harmonizing might be the worst part--no doubt an effect of the acrimonious relationship between John and Paul at the time. 

Too bad to start the album this way, but hopefully tomorrow will be better! See you then. :)

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Heard It Tally: 47

Songs Completed: 189