Across The Universe (Lennon/McCartney)
"Across the Universe" was originally donated to a charity album for the World Wildlife Fund. That original song was a faster, higher version than the "Let It Be" version, which was the original track slowed down and combined with an orchestra by producer Phil Spector.
- For song and lyrics, click here
Recording dates
- February 4, 1968 (6 takes, basic track, plus overdubs)
- February 8, 1968 (overdubs)
- April 1, 1970 (Phil Spector reworking and overdubs)
Release dates
- December 12, 1969 (on No One's Gonna Change Our World)
- May 18, 1970 (US & UK) (on Let It Be)
- March 8, 1988 (UK & US) (on Past Masters Vol. 2)
Recording notes
- On the original recording, two female vocalists are heard singing the lines "nothing's gonna change my world" after John's choral line "jai guru deva ohm". These vocalists were chosen by Paul outside the Abbey Road studios after he and John realized the song was lacking harmony vocals. Chosen were 16-year old Brazilian Lizzie Bravo and 17-year old London native Gayleen Pease - the first and only fans ever invited to participate in a Beatles recording. Their contribution was taped on February 4, 1968.
- For release on Let It Be, Phil Spector took the original master of the song, slowed it down, omitted some of the sound effects, added others, slowed the tape down, and added an orchestra.
Quotes
"I like ' Across The Universe', too. It's one of the best lyrics I've written. In fact, it could be the best. It's good poetry, or whatever you call it, without chewin' it. See, the ones I like are the ones that stand as words, without melody. They don't have to have any melody; like a poem, you can read them.."
- John Lennon
Notable covers
- Fiona Apple (from the soundtrack to the film Pleasantville)
- David Bowie (from Young Americans)
- Rufus Wainwright (from the soundtrack to the film Sam I Am)
Lyrics
- For Across The Universe, song and lyrics, click here