Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years from 1960, initially with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass. The core trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers, eventually settling with Pete Best in 1960, who played with them for two years before being replaced with then Rory Storm & The Hurricanes drummer Ringo Starr in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein molded them into a professional act and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their domestic success after their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. As their popularity grew into the intense fan frenzy dubbed "Beatlemania", the band acquired the nickname "the Fab Four", with Epstein, Martin and other members of the band's entourage sometimes given the informal title of "fifth Beatle".
By early 1964, the Beatles were international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United States pop market and breaking numerous sales records. They soon made their film debut with A Hard Day's Night (1964). From 1965 onwards, they produced increasingly innovative recordings, including the albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), and enjoyed further commercial success with The Beatles (also known as "the White Album", 1968) and Abbey Road (1969). In 1968, they founded Apple Corps, a multi-armed multimedia corporation that continues to oversee projects related to the band's legacy. After the group's break-up in 1970, all four members enjoyed success as solo artists. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. McCartney and Starr remain musically active.
The Beatles are the best-selling music act of all time, with estimated sales of 600 million units worldwide. They hold the record for most number-one albums on the UK Albums Chart, most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and most singles sold in the UK. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and all four main members were inducted individually between 1994 and 2015. In 2008, the group topped Billboard's list of the all-time most successful artists on the Billboard Hot 100. The band received seven Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, an Academy Award (for Best Original Song Score for the 1970 film Let It Be) and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards. Time magazine named them among the 20th century's 100 most important people.
Former Rolling Stone associate editor Robert Greenfield compared the Beatles to Picasso, as "artists who broke through the constraints of their time period to come up with something that was unique and original "... In the form of popular music, no one will ever be more revolutionary, more creative and more distinctive ..." The British poet Philip Larkin described their work as "an enchanting and intoxicating hybrid of African-American rock-and-roll with their own adolescent romanticism", and "the first advance in popular music since the War".
They not only sparked the British Invasion of the US, they became a globally influential phenomenon as well. From the 1920s, the US had dominated popular entertainment culture throughout much of the world, via Hollywood films, jazz, the music of Broadway and Tin Pan Alley and, later, the rock and roll that first emerged in Memphis, Tennessee. The Beatles are regarded as British cultural icons, with young adults from abroad naming the band among a group of people that they most associated with UK culture.
Their musical innovations and commercial success inspired musicians worldwide. Many artists have acknowledged the Beatles' influence and enjoyed chart success with covers of their songs. On radio, their arrival marked the beginning of a new era; in 1968 the programme director of New York's WABC radio station forbade his DJs from playing any "pre-Beatles" music, marking the defining line of what would be considered oldies on American radio. They helped to redefine the album as something more than just a few hits padded out with "filler", and they were primary innovators of the modern music video. The Shea Stadium show with which they opened their 1965 North American tour attracted an estimated 55,600 people, then the largest audience in concert history; Spitz describes the event as a "major breakthrough ... a giant step toward reshaping the concert business". Emulation of their clothing and especially their hairstyles, which became a mark of rebellion, had a global impact on fashion.
According to Gould, the Beatles changed the way people listened to popular music and experienced its role in their lives. From what began as the Beatlemania fad, the group's popularity grew into what was seen as an embodiment of socio-cultural movements of the decade. As icons of the 1960s counterculture, Gould continues, they became a catalyst for bohemianism and activism in various social and political arenas, fuelling movements such as women's liberation, gay liberation and environmentalism. According to Peter Lavezzoli, after the "more popular than Jesus" controversy in 1966, the Beatles felt considerable pressure to say the right things and "began a concerted effort to spread a message of wisdom and higher consciousness".
Other commentators such as Mikal Gilmore and Todd Leopold have traced the inception of their socio-cultural impact earlier, interpreting even the Beatlemania period, particularly on their first visit to the US, as a key moment in the development of generational awareness. Referring to their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show Leopold states: "In many ways, the Sullivan appearance marked the beginning of a cultural revolution ... The Beatles were like aliens dropped into the United States of 1964.
In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). The Beatles won the 1971 Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for the film Let It Be (1970). The recipients of seven Grammy Awards and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards, the Beatles have six Diamond albums, as well as 20 Multi-Platinum albums, 16 Platinum albums and six Gold albums in the US. In the UK, the Beatles have four Multi-Platinum albums, four Platinum albums, eight Gold albums and one Silver album. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
The best-selling band in history, the Beatles have sold more than 800 million physical and digital albums as of 2013. They have had more number-one albums on the UK charts, fifteen, and sold more singles in the UK, 21.9 million, than any other act. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Beatles as the most significant and influential rock music artists of the last 50 years. They ranked number one on Billboard magazine's list of the all-time most successful Hot 100 artists, released in 2008 to celebrate the US singles chart's 50th anniversary. As of 2017, they hold the record for most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with twenty. The Recording Industry Association of America certifies that the Beatles have sold 178 million units in the US, more than any other artist. They were collectively included in Time magazine's compilation of the 20th century's 100 most influential people. In 2014, they received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
There are two holidays celebrated for the Beatles: Global Beatles Day on 25 June each year. On that date in 1967, the band performed "All You Need Is Love" on television. In 2001, UNESCO created World Beatles Day on 16 January each year. This date has direct relation to the opening of The Cavern Club in 1957.
Five asteroids, 4147 Lennon, 4148 McCartney, 4149 Harrison, 4150 Starr and 8749 Beatles are named after the Beatles.
Free Now
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got, just after that, then we will do both
Of the do what you wanna do
Do what you wanna do
Do what you wanna do, do what you wanna do
Do what you wanna do, do what you wanna do
Do what you wanna do, do what you wanna do
I get it, I get it, I get it baby, free now
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Free now you gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Sounds of the Mersey Tunnel
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
The lyrics to The Beatles' song "Free Now" are quite repetitive and open to interpretation. The overall theme seems to be about the desire for freedom and the liberation from constraints. The repeated phrase "Do what you wanna do" emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy and the need to follow one's own desires and dreams.
The first stanza suggests that John has finally understood something significant, which leads to a realization that they should both do whatever they want to do. This can be seen as a call to break free from societal norms and expectations. The repetition of the phrase "Do what you wanna do" reinforces this message.
In the second stanza, the singer expresses a sense of feeling and understanding. They feel the desire for freedom, and they "get it." The line "You gotta get free now baby, free now" further emphasizes the urgency and importance of achieving that freedom. The repetition of the phrase "You gotta get free now baby, free now" encourages the listener to take action and break free from whatever is holding them back.
The final stanza adds a layer of atmosphere with the mention of the "Sounds of the Mersey Tunnel." The Mersey Tunnel is a tunnel in Liverpool, where The Beatles originate from. This reference may symbolize a journey towards freedom or a return to their roots.
Overall, "Free Now" can be interpreted as a liberating anthem, urging listeners to embrace their individual desires, obtain freedom, and break free from societal constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
The bit that John finally
The realization that John Lennon finally had
Got, just after that, then we will do both
Understood, right after that moment, then we can accomplish both
Of the do what you wanna do
Of doing whatever you desire
Do what you wanna do
Pursue your own desires
Do what you wanna do, do what you wanna do
Follow your own path, and keep doing so
Do what you wanna do, do what you wanna do
Follow your own dreams and aspirations without restraint
Do what you wanna do, do what you wanna do
Live your life on your own terms
I feel it, I feel it, I feel it, oh baby now
I sense it, I sense it, I sense it, oh baby now
I get it, I get it, I get it baby, free now
I understand it, I understand it, I understand it, baby, feeling liberated now
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You need to break free now, baby, be truly liberated
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You must find your freedom now, baby; you must be unbounded
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You have to achieve liberation now, baby, be completely free
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You must attain true freedom now, baby, let go of all restraints
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You need to experience real freedom now, baby, break away
You gotta get free now baby, free now
You have to discover true liberation now, baby, emancipate yourself
You gotta get free now
You must achieve freedom now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, liberation is what you need to pursue now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, freedom is your ultimate goal now
Free now you gotta get free now
Now is the time to obtain true freedom
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, liberation is what you need to achieve now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, freedom is what you should obtain now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, it's time for you to become truly liberated
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, you need to break free and live without constraints
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, you must find freedom now, release yourself
Sounds of the Mersey Tunnel
Audible vibrations from the Mersey Tunnel
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, liberation is what you need to pursue now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, freedom is your ultimate goal now
Baby, free now you gotta get free now
Darling, it's time for you to become truly liberated
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Paul James McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TelecastPropellor96
0:07 - portraits of Beatles as children on mantle (from left to right,
John, George, Paul. Ringo in front)
0:14 - more portraits (left to right, Paul, John, Ringo, George)
0:38 - Beatles walk through dock workers
0:48 - Cavern Club (club where Beatles played many shows before becoming
famous)
0:52 - Beatles performing at Cavern Club
1:06 - Strawberry Field ("Strawberry Fields Forever")
1:18 - Eggman appears ("I Am the Walrus")
1:27 - Beatles begin to walk off curb behind eggman
1:33 - Pretty nurse selling poppies from tray ("Penny Lane")
1:42 - Barber shop, with pictures of every head he's had the pleasure
to know, including the Fab Four ("Penny Lane")
1:47 - Sign on wall reads "Help" ("Help!")
1:49 - Boy holds up hand to whisper to girl ("Do You Want to Know
a Secret?")
1:50 - Ringo jumps from doorway
1:54 - Beatles stand by car
1:56 - Window has Beatles montage. First third looks like
Anthology 1 cover. Other panels may be covers of other two
volumes. [They Are, ed.]
2:02 - Birthday cake ("Birthday")
2:02 - Cake has a 6 and a 4 on it ("When I'm Sixty-Four")
2:07 - George appears on street
2:13 - George walks into office (In reality, Apple headquarters) with
sign that reads "Dr. Robert" ("Dr. Robert")
2:18 - Ringo runs by
2:22 - John in crowd scene at car wreck, craning neck while others
turn away ("A Day in the Life")
2:26 - Car wreck ("A Day in the Life" definitely, "Don't Pass Me By"
possibly)
2:27 - Fire engine ("Penny Lane")
2:29 - Policemen in a row ("I Am the Walrus")
2:32 - Fireman ("Penny Lane")
2:38 - Helter Skelter slide (It looks like a lighthouse, but you can
see the slide circling the building. "Helter Skelter," of course.)
2:38 - Kite ("Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite")
2:42 - Children run by in pig masks ("Piggies")
2:43 - Someone enters house through window from ladder ("She Came in
Through the Bathroom Window")
2:51 - Writer working at desk ("Paperback Writer")
2:54 - Beatles walk behind children in pig masks (It's small, but it's
obvious it's them)
3:00 - Sir Walter Raleigh portrait ("I'm So Tired")
3:05 - Beatles on TV
3:06 - John sitting in chair
3:08 - Copy of Daily Mail on table ("Paperback Writer") which reads 'Ten Thousand Holes in Blackburn, Lancashire' ("A Day in the Life")
3:08 - Bowl of green apples (reference to Apple Corps, Ltd.)
3:08 - Box of Savoy Truffles sits on table (kind of hard to make out,
but that's what it says: "Savoy Truffle")
3:10 - Picture of Chairman Mao in window ("Revolution")
3:13 - Workers repairing hole in roof ("Fixing a Hole")
3:13 - Blue Meanie pops his head through hole (the film
"Yellow Submarine")
3:18 - Newspaper taxi appears ("Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds")
3:22 - Woman leaves home ("She's Leaving Home")
3:22 - Picture of Mao being carried across street ("Revolution"
definitely, "Carry That Weight" possibly)
3:22 - John and Yoko waltz by (taken from film "Let It Be" and
probably representing "The Ballad of John and Yoko.")
3:23 - Blue Meanie pops head up from out of sewer (the film
"Yellow Submarine")
3:25 - Magical Mystery Tour bus passes in far background (Hard to see,
but it's there)
3:31 - Big game hunter leads procession, including elderly lady and
elephant, out of party ("The Continuing Adventures of Bungalow
Bill," who always went hunting with his elephant and gun and
always took his mum.)
3:33 - Ringo at table near door
3:45 - Brian Epstein begins to put on his scarf
3:47 - Head of Stu Sutcliffe on body of James Dean from "Sgt Pepper"
cover
3:48 - Flowers, drum and tuba from "Sgt Pepper" cover
3:49 - H.G. Wells and Lawrence of Arabia from "Sgt Pepper" cover
chat (I know other guests are supposed to be rest of people on
the cover, but they aren't as clearly identifiable as these two)
3:58 - Eleanor Rigby headstone ("Eleanor Rigby")
4:00 - Priest walks from grave ("Eleanor Rigby")
4:01 - Sheepdog runs through cemetery ("Martha My Dear" definitely,
"Hey Bulldog" possibly)
4:04 - Long and winding road in background ("The Long and Winding Road")
4:05 - Paul romps on hill ("The Fool on the Hill")
4:12 - Zebra-crossing from the cover of "Abbey Road"
4:14 - Meter maid with bag across her shoulder steps onto curb
("Lovely Rita." She's definitely wearing a uniform and
carrying a little white book.)
4:30 - Beatles walk into theater (taken from "A Hard Days Night")
@pwbfirdaus2193
Free as a bird
It's the next best thing to be
Free as a bird
Home, home and dry
Like a homing bird, I'll fly
As a bird on wings
Whatever happened to
The life that we once knew?
Can we really live without each other?
Where did we lose 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 be
Free as a bird
Home (Home), home and dry
Like a homing bird, I'll fly
As a bird on wings
Whatever happened to
The love that we once knew?
Always made me feel so free
(Ah)
(Ah)
(Ah)
Free as a bird
It's the next best thing to be
Free as a bird
Free as a bird
Free as a bird
Ooh
Free
Made for John Lennon
@user-ke1ew2to1k
[Chorus: John Lennon]
Free as a bird
It's the next best thing to be
Free as a bird
Home, home and dry
Like a homing bird I'll fly
As a bird on wings
[Bridge: Paul McCartney]
Whatever happened to
The life that we once knew?
Can we really live without each other?
Where did we lose the touch
That seemed to mean so much?
It always made me feel so
[Chorus: John Lennon]
Free as a bird
It's the next best thing to be
Free as a bird
Home, home and dry
Like a homing bird I'll fly
As a bird on wings
[Bridge: George Harrison]
Whatever happened to
The life that we once knew?
Always made me feel so free
Ah
Ah
Ah
[Verse 2]
Free as a bird
It's the next best thing to be
Free as a bird
Free as a bird
Free as a bird
Oooooo
[Outro]
Free
Made for John Lennon
@leokimvideo
Considering there are now some amazing AI clean ups of John Lennon's demo tape of this song maybe it's time to polish up this song for a re release.
@cdz9400
I think the slightly scratchy recording of John's voice in this is actually perfect.
@YannD
Actually what you're hearing here is not the original 1995 mix but a remix done in 2015 (I'm surprised there's no mention of this in the video description) when the "Beatles 1+" video collection was released. The isolation of John's voice is slightly better than on the original mix, and among other things, they used a different take of George's lead vocal. But still, re-doing it with 2023 technology for an official release would certainly have been a good idea (there are some excellent "fan versions" available here and there).
@leokimvideo
@@YannD 2015 was sadly a long time ago now, The ability to make better is massive different now. If the song was fixed up to today's AI standards Johns voice would be completely crystal clear.
@barrybickel7474
Came here to say this… a remaster using the new tech they’re using on ‘Now and Then’ needs to happen
@1w72st
I think it provides a haunting quality to the song. One of those unintended special effects that The Beatles stumbled upon many times (as in Tomorrow Never Knows). It's perfect as is.
@TelecastPropellor96
0:07 - portraits of Beatles as children on mantle (from left to right,
John, George, Paul. Ringo in front)
0:14 - more portraits (left to right, Paul, John, Ringo, George)
0:38 - Beatles walk through dock workers
0:48 - Cavern Club (club where Beatles played many shows before becoming
famous)
0:52 - Beatles performing at Cavern Club
1:06 - Strawberry Field ("Strawberry Fields Forever")
1:18 - Eggman appears ("I Am the Walrus")
1:27 - Beatles begin to walk off curb behind eggman
1:33 - Pretty nurse selling poppies from tray ("Penny Lane")
1:42 - Barber shop, with pictures of every head he's had the pleasure
to know, including the Fab Four ("Penny Lane")
1:47 - Sign on wall reads "Help" ("Help!")
1:49 - Boy holds up hand to whisper to girl ("Do You Want to Know
a Secret?")
1:50 - Ringo jumps from doorway
1:54 - Beatles stand by car
1:56 - Window has Beatles montage. First third looks like
Anthology 1 cover. Other panels may be covers of other two
volumes. [They Are, ed.]
2:02 - Birthday cake ("Birthday")
2:02 - Cake has a 6 and a 4 on it ("When I'm Sixty-Four")
2:07 - George appears on street
2:13 - George walks into office (In reality, Apple headquarters) with
sign that reads "Dr. Robert" ("Dr. Robert")
2:18 - Ringo runs by
2:22 - John in crowd scene at car wreck, craning neck while others
turn away ("A Day in the Life")
2:26 - Car wreck ("A Day in the Life" definitely, "Don't Pass Me By"
possibly)
2:27 - Fire engine ("Penny Lane")
2:29 - Policemen in a row ("I Am the Walrus")
2:32 - Fireman ("Penny Lane")
2:38 - Helter Skelter slide (It looks like a lighthouse, but you can
see the slide circling the building. "Helter Skelter," of course.)
2:38 - Kite ("Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite")
2:42 - Children run by in pig masks ("Piggies")
2:43 - Someone enters house through window from ladder ("She Came in
Through the Bathroom Window")
2:51 - Writer working at desk ("Paperback Writer")
2:54 - Beatles walk behind children in pig masks (It's small, but it's
obvious it's them)
3:00 - Sir Walter Raleigh portrait ("I'm So Tired")
3:05 - Beatles on TV
3:06 - John sitting in chair
3:08 - Copy of Daily Mail on table ("Paperback Writer") which reads 'Ten Thousand Holes in Blackburn, Lancashire' ("A Day in the Life")
3:08 - Bowl of green apples (reference to Apple Corps, Ltd.)
3:08 - Box of Savoy Truffles sits on table (kind of hard to make out,
but that's what it says: "Savoy Truffle")
3:10 - Picture of Chairman Mao in window ("Revolution")
3:13 - Workers repairing hole in roof ("Fixing a Hole")
3:13 - Blue Meanie pops his head through hole (the film
"Yellow Submarine")
3:18 - Newspaper taxi appears ("Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds")
3:22 - Woman leaves home ("She's Leaving Home")
3:22 - Picture of Mao being carried across street ("Revolution"
definitely, "Carry That Weight" possibly)
3:22 - John and Yoko waltz by (taken from film "Let It Be" and
probably representing "The Ballad of John and Yoko.")
3:23 - Blue Meanie pops head up from out of sewer (the film
"Yellow Submarine")
3:25 - Magical Mystery Tour bus passes in far background (Hard to see,
but it's there)
3:31 - Big game hunter leads procession, including elderly lady and
elephant, out of party ("The Continuing Adventures of Bungalow
Bill," who always went hunting with his elephant and gun and
always took his mum.)
3:33 - Ringo at table near door
3:45 - Brian Epstein begins to put on his scarf
3:47 - Head of Stu Sutcliffe on body of James Dean from "Sgt Pepper"
cover
3:48 - Flowers, drum and tuba from "Sgt Pepper" cover
3:49 - H.G. Wells and Lawrence of Arabia from "Sgt Pepper" cover
chat (I know other guests are supposed to be rest of people on
the cover, but they aren't as clearly identifiable as these two)
3:58 - Eleanor Rigby headstone ("Eleanor Rigby")
4:00 - Priest walks from grave ("Eleanor Rigby")
4:01 - Sheepdog runs through cemetery ("Martha My Dear" definitely,
"Hey Bulldog" possibly)
4:04 - Long and winding road in background ("The Long and Winding Road")
4:05 - Paul romps on hill ("The Fool on the Hill")
4:12 - Zebra-crossing from the cover of "Abbey Road"
4:14 - Meter maid with bag across her shoulder steps onto curb
("Lovely Rita." She's definitely wearing a uniform and
carrying a little white book.)
4:30 - Beatles walk into theater (taken from "A Hard Days Night")
@wotsup9oo
gotta love ur comment
@sgtpepprs3
Around 2:30 is a reference to the car crash in A Day in the Life if you didn't state that already.
@TrailBlazer65
+InRainbows1 You found some I didn't notice and left out some that I did so there must be maybe hundreds of song references in this video!