A timeless track from the iconic band The Beatles was completed in “just two takes”.
The beloved original, which appeared on their film soundtrack, Help!, quickly became a fan favourite, and enthusiasts were thrilled to discover an alternate rendition of the tune.
Some fans argue that this earlier version outshines the one released in 1965.
An initial take of the Help! song was unearthed and subsequently issued as part of the Anthology series, showcasing raw versions and rarities from The Beatles’ recording sessions.
This particular number, sung by Paul McCartney, continues to captivate fans and is a regular highlight of his live performances.
A social media post on X shared: “60 years ago today Paul McCartney recorded Yesterday in two takes after the other Beatles had decided he should do it solo.
“The first take can be heard on Anthology 2. This is the second take, the one we all know, without the string overdubs George Martin would add three days later.”
Listeners were mesmerised by the stripped-back version of Yesterday, with some expressing a preference for the unadorned cut. A user commented: “I’d never heard it without the strings; wish they’d left it like that.”
Another admirer was amazed at how swiftly such a masterpiece could be crafted and perfected. They wrote: “Two takes and that’s it! It seems easy, but it’s not!”
A third praised the song’s stripped-back version, commenting: “Thanks for sharing, first time I hear it without the strings. Music composition in the 20th century doesn’t get better than this. Beatles forever.”
The revelation of McCartney’s youth when he penned ‘Yesterday’ left many fans astounded. One fan wrote: “He was 22 almost 23 years old then, it’s unbelievable! How come someone that young could make such a masterpiece? It’s amazing!”
Another fan was captivated by the string-less rendition, hailing it as pure “perfection” and shared: “So raw… perfection! I had never heard this version before, only the one with the strings.”
A third listener proclaimed the track a “masterpiece”, a sentiment widely echoed as ‘Yesterday’ clinched the top spot on the US charts, cementing its status as a fan favourite from The Beatles.
Covered over 2,000 times by artists including iconic figures like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Marvin Gaye, ‘Yesterday’ has been immortalised both on stages and through album recordings.
The song also stands out as one of The Beatles’ earliest solo efforts, showcasing McCartney’s singular talent as he delivered both the vocal performance and the acoustic guitar accompaniment, independent of assistance from bandmates Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and John Lennon.