This song, released in December 1995 by the Beatles, was originally written and recorded in 1977 as a home demo by John Lennon. In 1995, 25 years after their break-up and 15 years after Lennon’s murder, his then surviving bandmates, Paul, George, and Ringo released a studio version incorporating the demo. McCartney asked Yoko for unreleased material by Lennon to which the three remaining ex-Beatles could contribute. This was one of two such songs, the other being “Real Love”, for which McCartney, Harrison, and Starr contributed additional instrumentation, vocals, and arrangements. Leff Lynne (of Electric Light Orchestra fame and Travelling Wilbury partner) co-produced – a condition imposed by George for his participation in the project. Although Lennon had died in 1980, Ringo said they had agreed they would pretend John had “gone for lunch” or had “gone for a “cup of tea”. George Martin could not produce due to hearing problems. Here is “Free As A Bird”.
