development of many classic Beatles songs before they were put on their albums.
Watching John, Paul, George, and Ringo compose is like watching da Vinci paint the Last Supper, it's a process where things start to come together to create a masterpiece. Listening to the songs start out as ramblings over a piano changing into the melodies everyone knows and loves is both a surreal and beautiful experience.
Octopus’s Garden Composition
Anyone remotely familiar with The Beatles' careers and their dynamics knows that Ringo's songwriting contributions were a bit on the light side, normally only getting one or two songs on each album. However, fans normally associate him with his role as the drummer, making it a bit strange but pleasant to see him working on a song behind a piano instead.
Even some longtime fans forget that The Beatles weren't bound to their respected instruments alone. All of them were very musically gifted, but Ringo Starr tends to be a bit of an unsung hero. Needless to say, he was much more than a one-trick drummer.
Dig It
Some of the best musical moments in the series are when The Beatles are just left to riff and mindlessly jam with one another. Sometimes these jam sessions result in only a lot of noise and goofing off, but sometimes they make it onto an album. Case in point, "Dig It."
It's not exactly the most verbose or complex song in The Beatles' song list, but it does serve as a prime example of how much fun the fab four could have together when left to their own devices. Ramblings about the BBC, BB King, and Doris Day might not be the lyrical poetry one might expect from Lennon and McCartney, but it's still fun to just listen to the band jam.
The Long And Winding Road
Easily one of Paul McCartney's more emotional contributions to both the album Let It Be and Get Back, watching him compose the piece right from the comfort of his piano is a sequence in the series that any true-blue Beatles fan will take the time to appreciate. There's something so simply beautiful watching this track come to life by a master songsmith.
On a more intimate level, this could be interpreted as McCartney's acceptance of the band's impending dissolve. The "long and winding road" in question might be his reflection on the exceptionally lengthy career he has had with his other three bandmates. Whether intentional or not, fans of the band's music will find it haunting and reflective.
Get Back
Of course, no Beatles film with the title "Get Back" would be complete without a performance of the number. "Get Back" is one of the many songs featured in the series that evolves over time. From a few cat and dog verses with guitar accompaniment to a fully-realized honky-tonk-inspired track, it's one of those elements in the series that shows a true behind-the-scenes look at the band.
The moment the song truly comes into its own is when Billy Preston makes the scene somewhere around the second episode. Preston is an absolute wizard on the keyboard, which gives the track its awesome rock-organ riff.
Jealous Guy Evolutions
Although John Lennon might refer to it countless times as "On The Road To Marrakesh," those who have listened to the Beatle's solo work know the tune immediately as the song "Jealous Guy." Although the song is never really sung the way his fans know it, it's interesting to see its origins so far away from Lennon's solo days.
By little exaggeration, John Lennon was what many consider a musical genius. In of both music and lyrics, he was almost always on the job. His wit and musings weren't something he could have just turned off. There was a reason he was referred to as "the writer-Beatle" or "the smart one."
Two Of Us Outtakes
As stated previously, some of the best moments in the series are when The Beatles don't take themselves so seriously. "Two Of Us" might be one of the most memorable songs on the "Let It Be" album, but listening to John and Paul goof around and sing the verses in a litany of accents is absolutely hysterical.
There are a million-and-one phrases about not taking life so seriously, but this light-hearted sequence is a breath of fresh air, especially considering the trajectory of the band's career. Amidst all the creative work and drama going on, it's nice to see them just taking the time to be silly.
Don’t Let Me Down
Throughout the series, "Don't Let Me Down" is constantly being played with, tweaked, and worked on before its completion on top of the roof of Apple Studios. It's an appropriate composition, considering how much the band and their team of sound designers, managers, and producers had going into the project.
The final product is a driving but slow jam that has the weight of a rock ballad but the emotion of a love song. The fact that it made its way into the band's final setlist should truly be no surprise.
One After 909
There's something truly special to be said about "One After 909," considering its history with the band. Originally one of The Beatles' earlier tracks, the song serves as a sort of remastered throwback to their Cavern Club days in 1963. This probably explains the vintage feel and sound of the final product.
The way the song travels and the train-inspired imagery hearkens back to songs like "The Midnight Special" and "Rock Island Line," songs that shaped the band's taste in music. It's this return to form that truly makes it a hit in the series.
Let It Be
"Let It Be" is easily one of the most recognizable songs in this Peter Jackson production, and fans can see the origins of its music and lyrics as it comes together right in the studio. It might not be the most riveting sequence for casual fans, but for those who truly adore all things Fab Four, they are witnessing yet another grand creation.
Again, something as simple as Paul at the piano can have truly inspiring results, especially when other of the band get involved. And viewers who tuned into this series got to see several #1 hits be born.
I've Got A Feeling
The Rooftop Concert is easily the crux of the entire series, as well as one of the most iconic filmed concerts of all time, as The Beatles give what would essentially be their final performance in front of a live audience. And while the band does give performances of "Dig A Pony," "Get Back," and "Don't Let Me Down," the stand out could arguably be considered "I've Got a Feeling."
Seeing as how it's one of the first songs The Beatles work on at the beginning of the series, it only makes sense that things would come full circle with its inclusion in the band's last performance. To put it bluntly, it's where the band gets to rock out the most. Shredding guitars, screaming, vocals, and hair waving in the wind all amount to an unforgettable image in Beatles history.