Legal Battles and Musical Triumphs: The Story Behind The Beatles' 'Come Together
Abbey Road, a timeless album by The Beatles, was released over five decades ago and is celebrated for its iconic hits like “Something” and “Here Comes The Sun.” The track “Come Together” drew inspiration from Chuck Berry, with John Lennon incorporating a line from Berry’s song “You Can’t Catch Me.” Despite Lennon's admiration for Berry, the publishing company behind Berry’s music, Big Seven Music, and its president, Morris Levy, sued Lennon for copyright infringement.
Chuck Berry, a rock 'n' roll pioneer, influenced numerous artists, including AC/DC and Bruce Springsteen. Lennon and McCartney, in particular, held Berry in high regard, with Lennon referring to him as the greatest rock 'n' roll poet. McCartney also acknowledged borrowing notes from Berry's song “I’m Talking To You” when co-writing “I Saw Her Standing.”
When Lennon penned “Come Together,” he initially intended it as a political song for Timothy Leary’s campaign against Ronald Reagan. Drawing from Berry’s politically charged music, Lennon incorporated a line from “You Can’t Catch Me” into the song, leading to the copyright lawsuit. The legal battle was eventually settled out of court, with Lennon agreeing to record three songs with Big Seven Music as compensation.
Despite the legal challenges, Lennon defended his creative process, emphasizing the independence of “Come Together” from Berry’s work. McCartney, too, recognized the similarities between the songs and recalled their efforts to modify the track to avoid infringement. The legal disputes continued as Lennon faced breach of contract claims over his work with Phil Spector and the release of the album “Walls and Bridges.”
In a twist of fate, Lennon’s legal battles with Levy culminated in a victory for the legendary Beatle. The court dismissed Levy’s claims and awarded Lennon damages, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter. While “Come Together” remains a classic, it inadvertently sparked a series of legal challenges for Lennon, ultimately leading to a triumph over a controversial music industry figure.