Free as a Bird

John Lennon

About Free as a Bird

"Free as a Bird" is a song originally composed and recorded in 1977 as a home demo by John Lennon, a member of the Beatles. In 1995, 25 years after the Beatles' break-up and 15 years after Lennon was murdered, the Beatles released a studio version incorporating contributions from ex-Beatles Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The single was released as part of the promotion for The Beatles Anthology video documentary and the Anthology 1 compilation album. For the Anthology project, McCartney asked Lennon's widow Yoko Ono for unreleased material by Lennon to which the three remaining ex-Beatles could contribute. "Free as a Bird" was one of two such songs (along with "Real Love") for which McCartney, Harrison, and Starr contributed additional instrumentation, vocals, and arrangements. Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, who had worked with Harrison on Harrison's album Cloud Nine and as part of the Traveling Wilburys, co-produced. The music video was produced by Vincent Joliet and directed by Joe Pytka. Shot from the point of view of a bird in flight, it references numerous Beatles songs. 


Year:
1996
2:43
86 
#2

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Free, as a bird
It's the next best thing to me
Free as a bird

Home, home and dry
Like a homing bird I'll fly
Like a bird on wings

Whatever happened to
The love that we once knew
Can we really live without each other
When did we loose the touch
That seemed to mean so much
It always made me feel so

Free, as a bird
It's the next best thing to me
Free as a bird

Home, home and dry
Like a homing bird I'll fly
Like a bird on wings

Whatever happened to
The love that we once knew
Always made me feel so
Free

Free, as a bird
It's the next best thing to me
Free as a bird
Free as a bird
Free as a bird

Free

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


John Lennon

John Ono Lennon MBE, born John Winston Lennon (9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a founder, and member of the Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Together with Paul McCartney, he formed one of the most celebrated songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. Lennon left the Beatles at the end of the sixties soon after meeting Yoko Ono. He formed the Plastic Ono Band and continued a succesful solo career recording until 1975, when his second child Sean Lennon was born. In 1980, with the release of the LP "Double Fantasy," Lennon was once more in the publice eye. Lennon passed away after being shot b… more »

14 fans

Written by: JOHN LENNON

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

John Lennon’s Demo
"Free as a Bird" was a demo recording originally by John Lennon from 1977. It was not completed during his lifetime but was later finished by the remaining Beatles in 1995.
Contribution by Remaining Beatles
The remaining Beatles (Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr) added their own vocals, and instrumental accompaniment to the track using Lennon's original demo tape as the starting point.
First Release after Break-up
The song was released in December 1995 as part of "The Beatles Anthology" project. It was their first new song after their break-up in 1970.
Grammy Nomination
"Free as a Bird" was nominated for the 1997 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Music Video
The song's music video, featuring numerous references to Beatles songs and history, won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
Macca's First Attempt
Paul McCartney first tried to finish the song in 1991 following a suggestion from Yoko Ono, but the attempt was unsuccessful due to technical difficulties.
Produced by Jeff Lynne
"Free as a Bird" was produced by Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra, a close friend of George Harrison.
Fifth Beatles Song by Lennon
This was the fifth song with John Lennon on lead vocals that was released after his death in 1980.
Commercial Success
The song reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
Preserved Demo
Lennon's original demo was preserved by Yoko Ono in a vault for safety until the right technology was developed to enhance and complete the song.
Single Release
On 4 December 1995, "Free as a Bird" premiered on BBC Radio 1, and was released as a single in the UK two days later.
Anthony Minghella's Contribution
The music video for "Free as a Bird" was directed by Joe Pytka and conceptualized by Anthony Minghella, the Oscar-winning director of "The English Patient”.
Co-written
Although the original song was written by Lennon, the final version is credited as being co-written by Lennon–McCartney–Harrison–Starr, making it one of the few Beatles songs to list all four members as writers.
The Beatles Anthology
"Free as a Bird" served as the opening track for The Beatles Anthology 1, the first in a series of three double albums featuring rare, previously unreleased Beatles recordings.
Lennon's Fan
Before turning into a song, "Free as a Bird" was a fan-friendly tune that Lennon would often pipe into the telephone while talking to fans who had dialled his unlisted number, as a "prank".

Discuss the Free as a Bird Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Free as a Bird Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1943741/John+Lennon/Free+as+a+Bird>.

    Missing lyrics by John Lennon?

    Know any other songs by John Lennon? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Free as a Bird

    2.2M
    7,402     145

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which song did this line come from? "You should take it as a compliment. If I were you, I would be more confident".
    A Dying on the Inside - Nessa Barrett
    B Talk to Me - Cavetown
    C Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish
    D Pretty Girl - Clairo

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    John Lennon tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Free as a Bird

    »