The Unfinished Lennon Legacy: Free As A Bird and Real Love Revisited

The last Beatles song, Free As A Bird, was recorded in 1995, nine years after the band's official disbandment. This project began as an Anthology initiative to unearth and complete three rumored unfinished songs from John Lennon. Among these tracks, Free As A Bird and its B-side, Real Love, became more than just leftovers of the Beatles legacy; they transformed into emotive tributes to the late musician.

Unearthing the Unfinished

During the Anthology project, John's widow, Yoko Ono, provided two unfinished Lennon demos to George Martin and producer Jeff Lynne. These were intended to be part of the Beatles' final collection. The first of these demos, Free As A Bird, sparked a frenzy of memorable covers and iconic performances. However, even though Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr spearheaded the project, the distinction is clear: these songs remain John Lennon's, incomplete, and full of the personal touch he imparted.

Free As A Bird was lodged in the tape archives with John's voice and guitar work. The Beatles reimagined the demos, adding their own instrumental and vocal layers, thus bridging the gap between Lennon's original vision and their own contributions. One can almost hear the influence of George Harrison's guitar and Ringo Starr's drums, expertly layered over the original tapes. Paul McCartney emulated John's voice, bringing a unique blend of emotion and raw energy to the project. This collaboration perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Anthology project, where old and new elements resonate in harmony.

An Anthology of Impact

Just as Free As A Bird was the first to be tackled and released as singles, the B-side, Real Love, shared a similar fate. Both tracks were incomplete Lennon demos, teeming with raw emotion and poetic prose. The three remaining Beatles—Paul, George, and Ringo—further fleshed out these demos, adding their own flourishes, much like the way Free As A Bird was brought to life. For example, Paul McCartney skillfully added a melodic bridge, singing it to fuse the two worlds together seamlessly.

The result was a union of personal and collective vision, a vivid representation of John's legacy. These songs, despite being incomplete, underscored the Beatles' commitment to honoring their late bandmate's work. Both Free As A Bird and Real Love resonated with listeners, bridging the gap between the Beatles' past and their future legacy.

Enduring Impact and Covers

The impact of these demos didn't end with the original recordings. Over the years, numerous artists have covered these tracks, adding their own interpretations to the mix. Regina Spektor, in particular, paid homage to Free As A Bird with an incredible cover that chills to this day. Her take on Lennon's unfinished song not only honored the original but also breathed new life into it, reimagining it in a modern context.

The enduring legacy of Free As A Bird and Real Love serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring influence of John Lennon's music. These songs, while incomplete in their original state, remain powerful testaments to the time and talent of the late Beatles legend. They are not just relics of the past but living pieces of art that continue to inspire and resonate with new generations of listeners.

In conclusion, the Anthology project brought John Lennon's unfinished songs to the forefront, allowing the three surviving Beatles to honor their former bandmate's legacy. The resulting songs, Free As A Bird and Real Love, became more than just albums; they became symbols of collective memory and enduring artistry. These unfinished Lennon songs have indeed left a lasting mark on the music world, not to be forgotten.