Free as a Bird
The Beatles
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57 fans
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.
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Contribution by Remaining BeatlesThe 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.
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First Release after Break-upThe 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.
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Grammy Nomination"Free as a Bird" was nominated for the 1997 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
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Music VideoThe song's music video, featuring numerous references to Beatles songs and history, won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
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Macca's First AttemptPaul McCartney first tried to finish the song in 1991 following a suggestion from Yoko Ono, but the attempt was unsuccessful due to technical difficulties.
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Produced by Jeff Lynne"Free as a Bird" was produced by Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra, a close friend of George Harrison.
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Fifth Beatles Song by LennonThis was the fifth song with John Lennon on lead vocals that was released after his death in 1980.
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Commercial SuccessThe song reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
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Preserved DemoLennon'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.
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Single ReleaseOn 4 December 1995, "Free as a Bird" premiered on BBC Radio 1, and was released as a single in the UK two days later.
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Anthony Minghella's ContributionThe 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”.
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Co-writtenAlthough 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.
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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.
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Lennon's FanBefore 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".
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"Free as a Bird Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4654897/The+Beatles/Free+as+a+Bird>.
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