On 14 April 1969, John Lennon and Paul McCartney returned to EMI Studios, Abbey Road, to record The Ballad of John and Yoko — just three days after the release of the Get Back single. In a rare deviation from the standard lineup, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were absent, leaving Lennon and McCartney to perform the entire track themselves.

A Two-Man Beatles Session

The session took place in Studio Three between 2:30pm and 9pm. The division of roles was fluid but precise:

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

The track was completed in a single session — a remarkable feat given its complexity and the number of overdubs involved.

The Song

The Ballad of John and Yoko was a chronicle of Lennon's recent experiences — his marriage to Yoko Ono in Gibraltar, the Amsterdam Bed-In for Peace, and the couple's travels across Europe. It was released as a single on 30 May 1969 and reached number one in the UK.

Want the full story? Read our deep dive: Why The Ballad of John and Yoko Was Banned by 100+ Radio Stations — and Still Hit #1.

Context

By April 1969, The Beatles were in the final phase of their existence as a group. The Get Back sessions had been fraught with tension, and each member was increasingly focused on individual projects. The ease and speed of this two-man session contrasted sharply with the difficulties of the earlier group recordings.

Location

FAQ

Who played on The Ballad of John and Yoko?

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

What instruments did Paul McCartney play?

Drums, bass, piano, lead guitar, conga drums, and backing vocals.

When was the single released?

30 May 1969. It reached number one in the UK.

What is the song about?

Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono, the Amsterdam Bed-In for Peace, and their travels across Europe.