The Beatles - Don’t Let Me Down (REACTION)

Airplay Beats reacts to The Beatles ‘Don’t let me down’ rooftop performance.
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‪@AirplayBeats‬

[@steelyd2]

You just casually throw in that your mama played with Billy Preston? That’s amazing

[@andrewweeks448]

RIGHT?!!!!! holy shit!

[@jimihin1971]

Billy Preston is a legend amongst Beatles fans. He and the band became friends before they were famous while playing regular slots in a Club in Hamburg, Germany. He played on the Let it Be album and they asked him back to play on the Abbey Road Album. They'd already been talking about adding new blood to the band when Billy turned up and was a perfect fit. There was talk of him joining but the band split shortly after, unfortunately.

[@AirplayBeats]

That would’ve been amazing if he got to join the band. Thanks for watching and your insight. We appreciate it.

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

The fifth Beatle for sure

[@samuraijacques952]

In Peter Jackson's documentary you can see the moment they agree to have him join the band

[@vickjr98]

​@@samuraijacques952where can I find that

[@nazfrde]

@@vickjr98 On Disney+

[@beriandavies2111]

I love that you guys are showing respect and recognition to Mr Billy Preston "our momma knew Billy" "played gospel" I love to hear that. Barely any of the other reaction channels even know he's there.

[@ammaleslie509]

Billy Preston was the Fifth Beatle!

[@johngriffiths118]

If only they had managed to carry . What would they have made

[@m1k3br4v0]

Billy Preston helped injected a spirit and soul in those final sessions that was waining. His work on the keys ties so much together. Love it all.

[@bobcorbin3294]

The amazing thing to me is it this song didn't even exist a few weeks before. They wrote, arranged and performed it live in front of people in just a few weeks.

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

Not true. There's a John Lennon home demo from November 1968. That's a good 2 months before he brought it to the rest of the group.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

One of the best examples of how well John and Paul sounded in harmony...

[@spacelemur7955]

What I always loved about the Beatles back in the sixties is that they never got in a rut, nor tried to repeat a formula. Every new album was a happening, and every LP held great songs.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Today the youth is saying The Beetles are overrated…They just need to stop and listen.

[@DJBilodeau]

Clarifying what I said earlier, Billy Preston is one of only two humans on planet Earth who have played in the lineups with not only the Beatles, but also the Stones. The other musician, also a keyboardist, was Nicki Hopkins, whose keyboard work you can hear performed on the Beatles song Revolution.

[@mikefetterman6782]

Paul is really happy mainly because the police had just made their way to the roof to shut it down. He was hoping to be forcefully cuffed and led away, they wanted any publicity they could get. Actually, the police said, would you mind turning it down a bit, after this next song.

[@AirplayBeats]

That is great information. Thanks for your insight.

[@michaelharden1388]

Playing on a rooftop without permission of the city officials to do so. Created quite a traffic jam below. People were saying is that the Beatles? Free concert for the lucky ones who happened to be walking by. It was a great publicity stunt also. Must have felt kind of nice to the four Beatles also. They in a sense were performing live here. That's something they hadn't been able to do for a number of years.

[@penname5766]

It was also their final performance before they split.

[@joshwhalen17]

Watching the Get Back documentary, it's wild how much the creative mood of the band improved once Billy Preston started rehearsing with them. They basically offered him band membership on the spot.

[@werewolvesofsanger4649]

That was 55 years ago today. I love the Beatles and I'm going to watch Get Back today y in its entirety. Speaking of Billy, John wanted Billy to become a permanent member of The Beatles.

[@chrishayes4323]

I just finished watching Get Back for the 3rd time, a few hours ago!

[@hume1963]

They stopped touring in August 1966 so for them to play this concert on he roof in cold weather and play so well is a testament to their talent. Billy really topped off the sound. He was so talented.

[@olgawindler9506]

Back in the day Billy Preston was called the 5th Beatle.

[@waynemoon5359]

An excellent John Lennon song is Dear Prudence. An excellent George Harrison song is Here Comes the Sun. An excellent Paul song is Here There and Everywhere, An excellent Ringo Song is Octopus' Garden. Here's a tip. Typically whoever sang lead wrote the song. Most versatile band ever.

[@panarchpete5637]

This was the first rooftop concert ever and was the Beatles last live performance ever....

[@1953jazzman]

This is a John song through and through, but of course everyone contributes mightily to the end result! This rooftop performance was the last time The Beatles ever played together in public! They went back in the studio months later and did Abbey Road!

[@penname5766]

The Beatles wrote around 200 songs, so there are probably many you haven’t heard. No two songs are alike and all of them instant classics.

[@danrieke9988]

Billy Preston. The Fifth Beatle. 'Nuf said right there.

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

This roof concert was illegal and a surprise to everyone. They got shutdown by the police. Their last time playing together and they got shutdown. As someone who made his way through a few garage bands back in the day I can recall being shutdown by some authority a few times. I can imagine they did as well in the beginning. For me that makes this an appropriate and more poetic finish.😎

[@dcg4mn]

This was never released as a single - should have been. I don’t remember ever hearing it on the radio… Hear me out: there are TWO generations who have no idea how incredible, how unbelievable their music is. The owners (Jackson estate??) should release a single on Top 40, exactly as they are, every 6 months, I think they’d be hits again. They don’t have to dominate - I think they’d knock the socks off all unfamiliar. Whaddya think? 😏

[@elmstreetkid9326]

I’m a die hard Beatles fan and I am convinced that this is not only the best recording by the boys but the single greatest recording of all time.

[@AirplayBeats]

It’s definitely one of my new favorites by them. I wake up with this song in my head everyday since we’ve reacted to it.

[@danh966]

If you liked this roof top song then please listen to "I've Got a Feeling" from the same roof top concert, but this time a McCartney vocal. And what a vocal it is!!

[@JohnWhite-xc3md]

Now you got me started. What I love about this, is they're all plugged straight into a couple little Fender amps. No effects needed if the songwriting is strong. George played lead, but no solos. Just beautiful melody parts that gave the verses a dreamy feel. These guys were so badass without having to sell themselves as such.

[@willblood7082]

If y’all have not watched the Peter Jackson documentary, “Get Back” it’s an absolute MUCH WATCH!!!! It shows them in studio working out the songs for what became the “Let It Be” album and concludes by showing the rooftop concert in its entirety.

[@DJBilodeau]

Guys, I’ll throw a curve at you, since you both feel Lennon. Check out David Bowie’s Fame co-written with Lennon who also sings backing vocal and plays rhythm guitar, along with with featured guitarist Carlos Alomar, who played in backing bands with James Brown back in the day. Also check out Lennon’s famous collaboration with Elton John. Elton John’s version of the Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, which features John’s rhythm guitar and backing vocals. And, most famously of all, Elton John and John Lennon’s co-written duet which went to #1 in 1974-Whatever Gets You Through The Night. This is an absolute must hear track! Lennon and Elton were close in the 70’s. Elton really became part of the family when he became John and Yoko’s son Sean Lennon’s Godfather. I don’t think you could bear doing a reaction to Elton’s tribute to his senselessly fallen friend, Empy Garden. But it is absolutely beautiful, and it will just slay you emotionally. Also-Don’t forget to check out the winner of the Soul Train Awards in the World Category for Best New Artists 2014-Nico and Vinz. I feel that these guys would be very compatible to your vibe. You have to do a reaction to Am I Wrong, which you’re already likely to have heart because this was their monster song that shot them around the world. You really have two options when approaching this song. You can go the official video route, and that will give you the baseline with the studio track. Or you can go with live performances, which is the strength of Nico and Vinz and the band. If so, I would recommend their performance for the 20th Nobel Peace Prize Concert. The house is packed with people with suits and ties, and the Crown Prince of Norway is in the house-and they are all rocking and eating it up! Nico and Vinz are musical royalty in Norway. That society clearly loves them, and embraces them, and it makes you want to go to Norway to see them playing live. So either the official video, or the Nobel Peace Prize performance will introduce you to them. Should you go the concert route (2013), a side note is that in this video they still have the band name “Envy”. This they would change in 2014 when they signed with Warner Brothers to Nico and Vinz. Envy=Nico and Vinz.

[@slappy1956]

I often "Imagine" what it would be like to see the four of them on a stage with today's sound technology. Though throughout their career they were required to for many reasons, I'm sure there would be no lip syncing.

[@jamesdrynan]

Billy's sweet embellishments fill the gaps beautifully. They looked like they were truly enjoying themselves!

[@spiritualhammer392]

I love that your mother sang gospel with Billy P! Those were the great days of gospel, today it seems like one big show. You have a rich musical heritage!

[@PaulRubino]

3:55 ♬♫ _"And from the first time that she really _*_DONE ME_*_ ... Oooh she _*_DONE ME_*_ ... she _*_DONE ME_*_ good ..."_ ♬♫ 😂 George is laughing so hard he can hardly play!

[@cha0tr0pic]

LOL!

[@cha0tr0pic]

They're SUPER loose here... lovely to see.

[@backbeat44]

What I also loved about the singles released they were credited as "The Beatles with Billy Preston" on the label. They loved Billy, Lennon wanted to make his part of the band.

[@JohnWhite-xc3md]

John Lennon had the coolest voice in rock music.

[@MattMichaelVO]

One of the coolest things is, this is recorded live - on a roof - in the winter. What bands could do that these days? The Beatles were such a solid band.

[@josephmango4628]

It's hard to imagine, but the Beatles would record many of their songs playing live in a studio. Nobody would do that today.

[@gregcable3250]

The undisputed GOAT. The only question when we were growing up, and now, is which band is second, third, fourth, etc.

[@SteveStevens-sp7ly]

the singer gives a clue to the writer.

[@petegiant]

The truly amazing thing is that this performance is the album version.

[@kimn9802]

One of my all time Beatles faves. Tough thing in a discography full of brilliance.

[@christianmarler2253]

In the midst of all the turmoil the band was going through, on the brink of breaking up, animosity plaguing their personal and professional relationships, for a brief moment they set all of that aside and provided one of the greatest events,...moments...in their entire legendary history.

[@annakermode6646]

“The way the beat changes” yes, that’s a John thing. Try “Happiness is a warm gun” and “I want you/she’s so heavy”.

[@archiekennedy4741]

I'm surprised you don't have more subscribers - very good reaction

[@AdullFiddler-ez7tm]

Guys, this was on the other side of the Get Back single so it did get a lot of airplay. Paul was so happy because of all of them he missed doing shows. Witness the fact he is still doing shows. I think Ringo missed the stage as well. I believe John would have but Yoko influenced him away from them unfortunately. Great song by John and Paul. Btw, I attended a party at Billy Preston's house in Hollywood in late 1974 and met some incredible people. A great memory.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

Hey guys, if your mom sang with Billy Preston, hats off. You two were raised right obviously, but that love for music was geinectaly passed down! For Mom , For George , please react to two songs from the concert for George. An all star tribute filmed at the Royal Albert Hall, a year after George left us. Billy Preston kills it, singing " My Sweet Lord" and " Isn't it a Pity" please find time for those! ❤✌️

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

You are seeing the Beatles at their most joyous--performing together. The looks of joy, appreciation and support were there from day one. And that joy comes through in their music. Follow the changes, particularly in bass and drums, and you'll be delighted. Paul originally played guitar, and plays the bass melodically and syncopated, perfectly supporting the record. Likewise Ringo is always varying his drumming to support each section--not flashy, but adding to the record.

[@RockDocNeal]

It's amazing how many absolutely killer songs the Beatles recorded and in so many styles. They were the epitome of the saying "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts". They were all very talented guys and they produced great material after the Beatles (well, Paul, John and George did), but IMO, none of the solo material equaled the best of the Beatles work, which I think was due their ability to feed off each others ideas and strengths when they were collaborating, along with a probable sense of competition with the other members when they were doing solo songwriting, which ultimately produced stronger material....that's just my own personal theory. 😁

[@janetcarlson9960]

Sorry but I have to respectfully disagree. I think George did music as good as the Beatles in fact MY SWEET LORD was the first post Beatles song to reach #

[@paulcollins7185]

John wrote this, but, as with their work practice in recording each Beatle contributing creatively. That was them. John is the majority writer of this if not sole writer of this song. A brilliant song and was a B side to the Get Back (Paul) Beatles single in '69.

[@Tijuanabill]

The baller who didn't need to wear his wife's fur coat, and just did the gig, despite the cold, is still touring. You can still see this act, in a way.

[@starwood213]

This is definitely one of the Beatles best in my opinion. It is sensational.

[@coocoocachooglin]

One of my favorites, somewhere there is a video of the entire rooftop concert where they played a handful of songs, with clips of people down below on the street looking up trying to figure out where the sound is coming from, and cops coming up to tell the to shut it down, etc. check it out, it's a great piece of rock history.

[@HungWaeLoe]

Brothers, watch the 'Get Back' film by Peter Jackson, if you haven't seen it. Mindblowing

[@FreeSociety1]

John Lennon wrote the song (guitar, melody, lyrics). They worked out the vocal harmonies and George does the guitar lead fills, and Ringo's drumming is always real solid.

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

I love how they all grin like naughty school boys when John sings "Nobody ever really DONE ME ooh she Done Me....she DONE ME GOOD! That was so naughty back then. Its cute. LOL

[@mumbles215]

well, thats not why they laughed. see john messed up the lyrics, he flubbed them, THATS why they laughed. they did multiple takes of this song and they edited it togther. you can hear the original somewhere. john flubbed it and sang some nonsense. so this version, is actually two seperate takes edited together. true story

[@mumbles215]

here is the original flubbed lyrics kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ2qmKuko7Wjea8

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

I am well aware of the flubbed lyric take. I have Get Back doc on dvd and watch it often. This video has the proper lyrics. Since both of us are trying to understand what is going on in their minds we can only use logic. It makes no sense to laugh at a mistake you made in a different take but it does make sense to me who grew up with them that that lyric is naughty for the time. And no. that is a live take. No editing two takes together. We have to disagree. My impression stands. Let others decide who is right here.@@mumbles215

[@palermotrapani9067]

At the 1.50 minute mark you can see Yoko sitting in the right corner of the shot. New to your guys channel, subscribed early October 2022 (about the 1.13K mark). You guys are great to listen to and really do a great job analyzing music. Also, congrats on being willing to do your own research on Elvis. Enjoyed your reviews of his stuff as well. Cheers.

[@AirplayBeats]

Thank you so much. We appreciate it. I have to go back and see if I can spot Yoko now.

[@michaelbrown3128]

It's the last time they ever played together!!! So Cool!!!!

[@timbaker6540]

Your mother played with the 5th BeaTle! So CooL !

[@maureendennis1736]

If you love this song, you will definitely love Oh Darling. Paul sings that song, and he practiced this song so he could sing higher than John. He wanted to show John what he could do

[@booifojoe]

Sport coat, fur coats, and Ringo in a rain coat. Love it.

[@Greg-io1ip]

New term: "I'm a Surface Beatles fan but I'm a big fan."

[@willowvee5844]

How cool is this clip?!!

[@DavidJacobsvo]

You guys need to watch the whole Get Back movie to see artists at work. As artists yourself you will find it fascinating.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Eric Clapton’s “Layla”, recorded under the band name of Derek and the Dominoes is about George’s wife…whom Eric was in love with. Layla’s legendary riff was created and played by Dwayne Allman.

[@dougj7295]

My first time in London about 5 years ago - this was my first stop finding this building. It was very cool - it's a furniture store now. This rooftop gig was short until the cops shut it down but was incredible.

[@OroborusFMA]

Paul's bass playing here adds such depth. The lack of killer bass on all those Plastic Ono Band songs undercuts their punch.

[@fjpapp7952]

Guys, you simply have to react to Billy Preston doing "That's The Way God Planned It" from the Concert for Bangledash album live with George. It's legendary.

[@dcg4mn]

One of their many true masterpieces! Why is it hard for you to believe Lennon wrote the whole thing - you don’t think he was capable?? he was a FKG GENIUS. > Check Jealous Guy, Imagine of course, So This is Christmas, Beautiful Boy, … A journalist once expressed surprise to Ringo about a song by Lennon, and Ringo said “John has a LOT of soul.” Don’t Let Me Down was a B side on a single (either Get Back or Hey Jude) and I couldn’t believe no one ever mentioned it - I loved it instantly. I’ve always associated this with “Dear Prudence” because they were relatively ignored at the time, but mind blowing in their beauty, simplicity , sentiment and passion. (Also: I can’t find you reviewing “Oh Darling” -wtf you waiting for?😉 Hang onto your hats!)

[@davisworth5114]

Great reaction to a great song, Billy just killed it on the Fender Rhodes.

[@ReesesPieces634]

You need to learn about the 5th Beatle, George Martin.... master recording engineer and producer.... also produced Sting, Jeff Beck, the Police

[@danrieke9988]

One of the three concerts I wish I'd seen. Beethoven's Fifth, Mozart Eine Kiene Nachtmusik, and the Beatles rooftop.

[@flipflopmcgurt3403]

The Beatles are so great that their least known songs are the best

[@peterjoslyn1]

I think it’s forgotten sometimes with all the talk about how they were falling out at the time, that during this period, they had some incredible grooves going. They went totally R&B in 69. Everything just got funky once Billy Preston started playing as well.

[@owenhershey13]

Great reaction guys! Terrific performance from these legends.

[@donholl]

If your mom has never seen Billy Preston performing "Isn't It a Pity" at the memorial concert for George, you need to show it to her.

[@SteveStevens-sp7ly]

Let it be, a dvd i have and return to when i need some simply good music to listen to. billy preston was cooking on this album. his contribution was / is often over looked.

[@taramahoney2412]

More Beatle reactions. A big must!

[@coinneachmaclellan3121]

"Don't Let Me Down" is like the Beatles' version of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me"...

[@harlanginsberg7269]

Just have to say John wrote the lyrics and tunes on all of his songs as did Paul on his. They might've tinkered with stuff once the band heard the song but the basic song was in place tune and most of the lyrics.

[@russellturnbull4209]

Billy Preston on keyboards working hard...love him.

[@Joe-d3t1t]

Seeing this performance made me love The Beatles. Amazing!!

[@DLH0007]

If you want to see and hear how the Beatles wrote rehearsed and recorded The Let it Be Album (including this song) watch the Peter Jackson's Documentary "Let it Be" on the Disney channel - the footage from the 3 part series captures the actual creation of the music - from concept to roof top concert .. it is a MUST for any Beatles fan or any fan of music in general 🙂

[@smgdroid]

OK, I'm all caught up on Zep, now I'm doubling back around for some favs of mine I missed... This, Sabbath, Floyd, Rush... What can you say about the Beatles? It's hard to put your finger on it, but their songs just SOUND so good...

[@hungfao]

It's John's song, but like most Beatles songs each member could throw out suggestions along the way or not. George brought Billy to the sessions to lighten the mood. Everybody got along great. The happy mood made the creativity flow. John wanted Billy to become a permanent member. Paul said four Beatles was enough. Much of their tension came from trying to run their business themselves instead of having a manager. He'd died. Bad idea not getting a new manager. They were out of their depth in business matters, but still managed some great tunes.

[@kayhardy2871]

Great reaction 😊 - loved how carefully you listened to it - Billy Preston outstanding on the keys - Beatles another British god we worship

[@toddashton9696]

Disappointed they did not show Billy more often, especially when he carried the melody.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Billy was known as the 5th Beetle!

[@Chaudette-Le-Soir]

Best band

[@BonniePicc]

You made my day. I haven’t seen this video in so many years. How amazing were they??

[@raulmexb]

The best!

[@sigil5772]

You have to watch the whole Peter Jackson "Get Back" film/tv show. Even though the band work together so well musically, intuitively and comfortably, all the other sh*t about being THE BEATLES was getting in the way. Then Billy Preston shows up one day, they ask him to stay, and whole outfit steps up TEN GEARS

[@JohnWhite-xc3md]

It doesn't get better than this.

[@Bosnbabe]

Don’t Let Me Down studio version is on the Hey Jude album

[@jameshannagan4256]

The reason it didn't become a huge hit is because there were so many other great songs on Let It Be (even though it really wasn't one of their best albums). All the Beatles later albums were great with so many great album tracks like Don't Let Me Down.

[@leandrodasilvaborges1768]

John Lennon rules! Amazing song. Great Paul Mcca, George Harrison and Ringo Too.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

It’s John’s, lyrics and music. He’s singing to Yoko who’s sitting nearby.

[@charliecochran3035]

This wasn't one, but they managed to record a couple of album takes if these brand new songs during this "show". They were incredibly good live, though most people only ever heard them play Beatlemania stuff from 63-65 on stage.

[@Kieop]

Unfortunately, Don't Let Me Down wasn't on an album. It was the B-side to Get Back, so that's probably why it is criminally unknown.

[@michaelbrown3128]

You know they knew they still had it! They just wouldn't put the effort to patch things up personally? What a shame, could have had another album or 2?

[@rogerlunde8668]

Lennon wrote This song, but they were a band so Paul and George contribut .

[@anthonyorlando5425]

Amazing this was the last time they played together live.

[@jameshannagan4256]

The brother on keyboards is Billy Preston a talented artist in his own right the song Get Back and even some of the album has his fingerprints all over it.

[@richiewest7495]

Hey guys. Love your content. I grew up on the beathes, I am 61. To this day... I have to get my Beatles fix... love the innovations in production.