On 14 April 1969, John Lennon and Paul McCartney recorded The Ballad of John and Yoko at EMI Studios, Abbey Road — completing the entire track in a single session. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were both unavailable, making this one of the most unusual recordings in The Beatles’ catalogue.

The Session

Recording took place in Studio Three between 2:30pm and 8:00pm. John and Paul between them played all the instruments on the track:

• John Lennon – acoustic guitar, lead vocals, maracas, piano, lead guitar
• Paul McCartney – bass, drums, piano, lead guitar, conga drum, backing vocals

Eleven takes were recorded, with take 10 used as the master. Overdubs were added the same day.

Lyrics and Context

The song chronicled John and Yoko’s recent experiences: their marriage in Gibraltar on 20 March 1969, the Amsterdam Bed-In for Peace, and their plans for a Montreal Bed-In. The lyric “Christ, you know it ain’t easy” caused controversy and led to a BBC ban.

Release

The single was released on 30 May 1969, reaching number one in the UK and number eight in the US.

Location

FAQ

Who played on The Ballad of John and Yoko?

Only John Lennon and Paul McCartney — George Harrison and Ringo Starr were unavailable.

When was it released?

30 May 1969, reaching number one in the UK.

Why was it controversial?

The lyric “Christ, you know it ain’t easy” led to a BBC ban.

How many takes were recorded?

Eleven takes, with take 10 used as the master.