According to the Get Back documentary directed by Peter Jackson, the take o… Read Full Bio ↴According to the Get Back documentary directed by Peter Jackson, the take of "Dig It" used as the fifth track on the original release of Let It Be was from a January 26, 1969 jam session with the band and Billy Preston. The 51-second version was reduced from a nearly 4-minute version that appeared on the scrapped Get Back album, completed in May 1969. The "full" version of "Dig It" is over 8 minutes, based on the original 15 minute jam session. The band and Preston started with a loose jam of the Bob Dylan song "Like a Rolling Stone," which eventually produced the snippet used in the album. The full version also features vocals from Paul McCartney's daughter-in-law Heather, who was six at the time.

"Dig It" is one of only a few Beatles songs officially credited to all four members (Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starkey). It, along with the even shorter track "Maggie Mae" (based on a Liverpudlian folk tune), were excluded from Let It Be... Naked.

DIG IT
Beatles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Like a rolling stone
A like a rolling stone
Like the FBI and the CIA
And the BBC, BB King
And Doris Day
Matt Busby
Dig it, dig it, dig it
Dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it

"That was 'Can You Dig It' by Georgie Wood.
And now we'd like to do 'Hark The Angels Come'."

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the Beatles' song "Dig It" hold very little meaning or depth. It is essentially a series of references to famous people and organizations. The opening line compares the subject to Bob Dylan's classic song "Like a Rolling Stone" which is a nod to the social commentary in Dylan's lyrics. The next few lines mention the FBI, CIA, BBC, BB King, and Doris Day, all of which are famous names, implying that the subject is also famous and important. The reference to Matt Busby is interesting as he was a famous football coach for Manchester United, and it is unclear why he is included in this list.

The repetition of "Dig it" throughout the song may suggest a sense of urgency or importance, but ultimately it is left to the listener's interpretation. The final line of the song references a completely different song, "Can You Dig It" by Georgie Wood, before moving on to another song entirely, "Hark The Angels Come." The song overall feels disjointed and lacks cohesiveness, but it is still a fun and catchy tune.

Line by Line Meaning

Like a rolling stone
Feeling lost and aimless, similar to the subject of Bob Dylan's song 'Like a Rolling Stone'

A like a rolling stone
Repeating the previous line, emphasizing the sense of aimlessness

Like the FBI and the CIA
Listing powerful organizations that are beyond the control of the common man

And the BBC, BB King
Referencing the British Broadcasting Corporation, a widely respected news source, and the legendary musician BB King

And Doris Day
Including the Hollywood actress and singer Doris Day as a representative of popular culture

Matt Busby
Naming the famous football coach Matt Busby, who is revered in England

Dig it, dig it, dig it
Encouraging the listener to really get into the music

Dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it
Repeating the previous line for emphasis

"That was 'Can You Dig It' by Georgie Wood.
Announcing the end of a previous song and the start of a new one, performed by Georgie Wood

And now we'd like to do 'Hark The Angels Come'."
Announcing the next song to be performed, the Christmas carol 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY, STARTLING MUSIC LTD C/O BRUCE V. GRAKAL
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, GEORGE HARRISON, RICHARD STARKEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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