Why the Beatles Never Played This Loving Tribute to John Lennon and Yoko Ono Live
The Beatles never played a lot of their music live, considering the Fab Four called it quits for good just a few years after they retired from touring in 1966. It’s a shame, but we’ve been lucky enough to hear a few Beatles songs performed for the first time by each former member after they kicked off their solo careers.
That being said, quite a few songs still haven’t gotten a live performance. One such song would be the single “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” from 1969. This song didn’t make it to any album. Rather, it was released as a B-side to the May 1969 single “Old Brown Shoe”.
“The Ballad Of John And Yoko” was written by John Lennon and explores the pair’s famous wedding. Lennon wrote the song while he and his new wife were enjoying their honeymoon in Paris, France. It describes their famous “bed-in” in Amsterdam and performance art stunt to demonstrate “bagism”. Lennon even said that the song was less of a love song and more of “a piece of journalism.” The song also happened to be the very last no. 1 single in the UK until the late-released track “Now And Then” came out in 2023.
So, is there a reason why The Beatles never played this lovely little tune in front of a live audience? Why The Beatles Never Played “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” Live
Well, the answer is pretty simple. The Beatles quit touring a few years before this song was even written and recorded. Just as well, The Beatles were already going through the process of breaking up (even if just mentally) by 1969.
Source: Em Casalena/americansongwriter.com
