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The classic Beatles rock song “Come Together” is this week’s Song of the Week. The song opened the Beatles’ eleventh and penultimate album “Abbey Road,” released in September 1969, and was also released as a double-sided single with George Harrison’s “Something.”

“Come Together” is full of cryptic references, which make it difficult to pin down exactly what or whom the song is about. Some speculate that Lennon is singing about himself, and others suggest that each member of the band is being referenced. In any case, the success of the song comes as much from the brilliant arrangment as the lyrics and particularly the bass line and drum rolls.

The lyrics of the song also got Lennon into trouble, as he was sued on the grounds that the line “Here come ol’ flattop, he come groovin’ up slowly” was very similar to “Here come a flattop, he was movin’ up with me” in Chuck Berry’s song “You Can’t Catch Me.” Lennon settled out of court, promising to record three other songs owned by the same publisher, Morris Levy. This led to the inclusion of “You Can’t Catch Me” and “Ya Ya” on Lennon’s 1975 album “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and the posthumous release of “Angel Baby.”

Recording date/location

“Come Together” was recorded on July 21, 1969 at Abbey Road Studios in London.

This was the same day that Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon.

Authorship

This was a John Lennon song, but credited to Lennon/McCartney, as was the custom.

Musicians

I think we are all very familiar with the four musicians who appeared on the track, but here’s what they played:

• John Lennon – lead and backing vocals, backing vocal, electric guitar, piano, hand claps
• Paul McCartney – backing vocals, electric bass guitar
• George Harrison – lead guitar, acoustic guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums, maracas.

Chart performance

“Come Together” reached number one in the US on November 23, 1969. The song peaked at number four in the UK. The album on which it appeared, “Abbey Road,” hit number one all over the world.

Covers

Aerosmith – “Come Together”

American rockers Aerosmith recorded their cover of “Come Together” in 1978 and it appeared in the ill-fated movie “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” in which the band also appeared.

Aerosmith hit number 23 on the Hot 100 with “Come Together” and it was the latest in a number of chart successes over the previous two years. It was also their last top 40 hit for nine years, when “Dude Looks Like a Lady” ended the drought.

Michael Jackson – “Come Together”

Michael Jackson performed “Come Together” in his film “Michael Jackson: Moonwalker” in 1987 and included an edited version of the recording on his album “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I” in 1995.

Ike and Tina Turner – “Come Together”

“Come Together” was featured on Ike and Tina’s 1970 album of the same name. The following year, the pair featured the Beatles’ “Get Back” and “Let It Be” on their album “Workin’ Together.”

Here’s Ike and Tina Turner performing “Come Together” on Beat Club in 1971.

Joe Cocker – “Come Together”

Joe Cocker is perhaps best known for his cover of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends.” In 2007, he covered “Come Together” for the soundtrack of the movie “Across the Universe.” The soundtrack featured a total of 34 covers of Beatles songs.

Joe’s vocal is good, but the song loses something without the familiar bassline. His subsequent live arrangement of the song was more in keeping with the original.

Lennon’s last concert

John Lennon’s last full concert took place at Madison Square Garden, New York City on August 30, 1972. His two shows that day were benefits for patients of the Willowbrook State School mental facility. “Come Together” was one of the songs performed.

There will be a new Song of the Week on July 12.