Background
Get Back is a song by The Beatles, written by Lennon–McCartney and led on vocal by Paul McCartney. 'With Billy Preston' on Hammond — only artist co-credited on a Beatles single. Within the catalogue, its rooftop thread connects it to Dig a Pony, I've Got a Feeling, One After 909.
What's distinctive
At 3:09 it sits in the top fifth by length. One of 65 songs led primarily by Paul. Recorded approximately 5 of 7 into the Get Back / Rooftop (Jan 1969) sessions. Carries the unique tag 'billy-preston-credit' — no other song shares it. Take count: 35 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)).Opening line — "Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner…" (brief identification excerpt; full lyrics © Sony Music Publishing — see Genius link in References.)
Recording
The session work falls within the band's Get Back / Rooftop (Jan 1969) period, recorded 30 Jan 1969 at Apple Studios rooftop, 3 Savile Row, London. George Martin produced; Glyn Johns, Alan Parsons (2nd) engineered. The track was committed to Apple's mobile 8-track to studio downstairs via the Hand-built Apple desk, with the era's standard signal chain — Live to tape — minimal. Likely instrumental setup followed the era's working kit: Fender Rosewood Telecaster (Harrison), Epiphone Casino (Lennon), Hofner 500/1 (McCartney), Fender Rhodes electric piano (Billy Preston), amplified through Fender Twin Reverb. For session-by-session detail, see Mark Lewisohn's account on p.3 of The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (excerpt below).
| Studio | Apple Studios rooftop, 3 Savile Row, London |
|---|---|
| Tape machine | Apple's mobile 8-track to studio downstairs |
| Console | Hand-built Apple desk |
| Microphones | AKG D19 (Ringo kick), STC 4038, U47 (vocals) |
| Outboard / effects | Live to tape — minimal |
| Guitars | Fender Rosewood Telecaster (Harrison), Epiphone Casino (Lennon), Hofner 500/1 (McCartney), Fender Rhodes electric piano (Billy Preston) |
| Amplifiers | Fender Twin Reverb |
| Producer | George Martin |
| Engineer / 2nd | Glyn Johns, Alan Parsons (2nd) • Dave Harries |
| Estimated takes | 35 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)) |
Pattern analysis
Legacy & release history
In the canonical discography it appears on the LP Let It Be; on the single Get Back / Don't Let Me Down. Documented alternate versions include Anthology 3 (1996), Let It Be… Naked (2003), 2009 Stereo Remasters, Let It Be 50th Anniversary (2021). Mono and stereo histories vary by era — see the dedicated section below.
Mono & stereo
- Stereo only on UK release — the band's last three LPs were mixed for stereo; no UK mono LPs were issued.
Documented alternate versions
- Anthology 3 (1996) — alternate take or demo
- Let It Be… Naked (2003) — Spector overdubs removed
- 2009 Stereo Remasters — Allan Rouse / Guy Massey remaster
- Let It Be 50th Anniversary (2021) — Giles Martin stereo remix
Released on
- Let It Be — LP, 8 May 1970
- Get Back / Don't Let Me Down — Single, 11 April 1969
Cross-references
Other songs sharing themes (billy-preston-credit, rooftop, closer-of-rooftop-set, no1)
Other songs led by the same vocalist
Other songs from this era
billy-preston-creditrooftopcloser-of-rooftop-setno1