The Beatles - Two Of Us (1969-01-31)

The Beatles Two Of Us (1969-01-31)(31.07) Excerpt from The Beatles Tomorrow Never Knows: A Biography by James L Desper Jr, an obscure but superb history of the band. Edited by Flip. Day 13 (Jan. 24) began with a discussion of Billy Preston, who wouldn't arrive until later in the afternoon. John wants to invite Billy to join the Beatles permanently, not just for this project, saying, "I'd like a fifth Beatle." But Paul isn't going for it, "Because it's just bad enough with four." They go over 'Get Back' a few times, John working furiously to come up with a decent guitar solo, but reserve serious rehearsal on it until Billy gets there. Mostly they work on 'Two Of Us'. John thinks it should be "softer," perhaps as Stevie Wonder might do it. Deciding to use acoustic guitar for the arrangement, they transform it from a galloping rocker to the rather wistful, autumnal reflection we now know. During this rehearsal Paul finalizes the lyrics for the bridge. "You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead," is the only line in the song that couldn't be ascribed to Paul and Linda's relationship, the song's ostensible subject. It could, however, apply directly to the fellow singing with Paul on the same mic. It was also hauntingly prescient, for a couple of reasons. The Beatles were ending, and their shared history was indeed longer than the time they had left together. And by the time John would announce he was leaving the band, he'd known Paul for over 12 years, but had only 11 years left. But for now, Billy was back, and John led them into a long jam...