Mixing: You Can't Catch Me by John Lennon – 12 July 1974

Q: Why did John Lennon record You Can't Catch Me?

As part of a copyright settlement with Morris Levy, publisher of the Chuck Berry song, after Lennon borrowed a lyrical phrase from it for 'Come Together' (1969).

July 12, 2026

Friday 12 July 1974 | Record Plant, New York City, USA
Producer: John Lennon

John Lennon mixed 'You Can't Catch Me' at the Record Plant in New York City on 12 July 1974, as work continued on his Rock 'N' Roll album — a collection of classic rock and roll covers that had been in development since late 1973.

The Recording History of 'You Can't Catch Me'

'You Can't Catch Me' is a 1956 song written and recorded by Chuck Berry. Lennon had long had a connection to the song: he had borrowed a lyrical phrase from it for 'Come Together' on Abbey Road (1969), which led to a copyright infringement lawsuit from Berry's publisher Morris Levy. Part of the settlement required Lennon to record several songs from Levy's catalogue — including 'You Can't Catch Me' — for his next album.

The timeline of the recording was:

11 December 1973: Backing track recorded at the Record Plant
9 July 1974: Final overdubs added
11 July 1974: Further overdubs completed
12 July 1974: Mixes created (unused)
9 October 1974: Final stereo mix created — the version used on the album

The mixes created on 12 July were ultimately set aside. The final stereo mix used on the released album was made on 9 October 1974.

The Rock 'N' Roll Album

Rock 'N' Roll was released on 17 February 1975. It featured Lennon's versions of classic songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, including tracks by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and others. The album was produced by Lennon himself after a troubled earlier phase of production with Phil Spector, whose involvement had ended acrimoniously in 1974.

The sessions at the Record Plant in 1974 represented Lennon's effort to rescue and complete the project on his own terms, overdubbing and remixing the tracks that had been recorded with Spector in Los Angeles in late 1973.

Key Facts: 12 July 1974

Date	Friday 12 July 1974
Studio	Record Plant, New York City
Producer	John Lennon
Song	'You Can't Catch Me' (Chuck Berry, 1956)
Backing track recorded	11 December 1973
Overdubs	9 and 11 July 1974
Mixes created today	Unused
Final mix used on album	9 October 1974
Album released	Rock 'N' Roll, 17 February 1975

The Record Plant, New York City — where John Lennon worked on the Rock 'N' Roll album throughout 1974.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did John Lennon record 'You Can't Catch Me'?

Lennon recorded 'You Can't Catch Me' as part of a settlement with Morris Levy, publisher of the Chuck Berry song. Lennon had borrowed a lyrical phrase from it for 'Come Together' on Abbey Road (1969), leading to a copyright infringement claim. The settlement required him to record several songs from Levy's catalogue for his next album.

What is John Lennon's Rock 'N' Roll album?

Rock 'N' Roll is a 1975 album by John Lennon featuring his versions of classic 1950s and early 1960s songs by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and others. It was released on 17 February 1975 and produced by Lennon himself after an earlier troubled phase of production with Phil Spector.

Why were the 12 July 1974 mixes of 'You Can't Catch Me' not used?

The mixes created on 12 July 1974 were set aside in favour of a final stereo mix made on 9 October 1974, which was the version used on the released Rock 'N' Roll album.

What is the connection between 'Come Together' and 'You Can't Catch Me'?

John Lennon borrowed the lyrical phrase "here come old flat-top" from Chuck Berry's 'You Can't Catch Me' for the opening of 'Come Together' on Abbey Road (1969). This led to a copyright infringement lawsuit from Berry's publisher Morris Levy, which was settled in part by Lennon agreeing to record several songs from Levy's catalogue.

Who produced John Lennon's Rock 'N' Roll album?

The Rock 'N' Roll album was ultimately produced by John Lennon himself. An earlier phase of production with Phil Spector in Los Angeles in late 1973 ended acrimoniously, and Lennon took over the project at the Record Plant in New York in 1974, overdubbing and remixing the tracks to complete the album.