A Beatles Timeline and Notes on Beatles Songs - L

Lady Madonna (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly Paul
Recorded: 3, 6 Feb 68
Released: 15 Mar 68 (US), 18 Mar 68 (UK)
Notes: First return to old rock. Rhythm taken from Humphrey Littleton's "Bad Penny Blues," which he in turn had taken from Dan Burley. Inspired by magazine photo of an African mother nursing: "Mountain Madonna." Style of singing was Fats Domino. Started out as "Virgin Mary." Wednesday morning papers are checks.

Let It Be (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 31 Jan, 30 Apr 69, 4 Jan 70
Released: 6 Mar 70 (UK), 11 Mar 70 (US); on "Let it Be": 8 May 70 (UK), 18 May 70 (US)
Notes: About a dream about Paul's mother, Mary, who died of breast cancer. in the film, John makes a snide comment: "And now we'd like to do 'Ark the Angels Come.'

Like Dreamers Do (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Notes: On first demo tape.

Little Child (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: 50/50
Recorded: 11, 12 Sep 63
Released: on "With the Beatles": 22 Nov 63 (UK), on "Meet the Beatles": 20 Jan 64 (US)
Notes: Written for Ringo, inspired by '50s English balladeer Elton Hayes, from a Robin Hood film.



The Long and Winding Road (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 31 Jan 69
Released: 11 May 70 (US); on "Let it Be": 8 May 70 (UK), 18 May 70 (US)
Notes: Paul hated what Phil Spector did by adding an orchestral arrangement and keeping the temporary bass track. In fact this was one of the three points of his suit against the others. Imagery comes from Paul's Scotland house, High Park. Written during White Album sessions. Written with Ray Charles in mind.

Long Long Long (Harrison)
Real Author: George
Recorded: 7, 8, 9 Oct 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: Inspired by Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands." Working title: "It's been a Long, Long Time." The "you" is God. Includes vibrartion of a Bottle of Ble Nun wine on the piano.

Love Me Do (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly Paul
Recorded: 11 Sept 62
Released: 5 Oct 62 (UK), 27 Apr 64 (US), 10 Aug 64 (US), 11 Oct 65 (US); on "Please Please Me": 22 Mar 63 (UK), on "Introducing the Beatles": 22 Jul 63 (US), on "The Early Beatles": 22 Mar 65 (US)
Notes: Written when teenagers, 16, 1958.

Love of the Loved (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly Paul
Notes: Written for Cilla Black, resurrected from an early teenage attempt.

Love You To (Harrison)
Real Author: George
Recorded: 11, 13 Apr 66
Released: on "Revolver": 5 Aug 66 (UK), 8 Aug 66 (US)
Notes: Working title was "Granny Smith." While "Norwegian Wood" included sitar, this was the first song written for sitar.

Lovely Rita (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 23, 24 Feb, 7, 21 Mar 67
Released: on "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band": 26 May 67 (UK), 2 Jun 67 (US)
Notes: Inspired by reading about American 'meter maids." No real Rita, though Ms. Meta Davis claimed to be the source. Paul thought "maid" had a sexual connotation.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly John
Recorded: 1, 2 Mar 67
Released: on "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band": 26 May 67 (UK), 2 Jun 67 (US)
Notes: Based on son Julian's picture (of schoolmate Lucy O'Donnell at Heath House School). There is a photo of the drawing here, but there are difficulties. Paul clearly says the drawing has the title on it and a little girl. Images are from "Through the Looking-glass" Wool and Water chapter. Girl in sky was one who "would save him." Paul had cellophane flowers and newspaper taxis.