Video of the Week: Paul McCartney Composes and Plays “Get Back” for the First Time

In a remarkable moment fortuitously caught on film, Paul McCartney, feeling the pressure of an approaching deadline on the Beatles eventual Let it Be project, makes productive use of time waiting for John Lennon, who is late to arrive.

It’s a breathtaking glimpse of songwriting genius–the birth of a hit song, verse and chorus, takes place in less than four minutes as Paul strums a bass guitar.

I can’t say it any better than the YouTube comments, so I’ll paste them here:

@EdouardPicard0224

Paul just casually shitting out a golden song at 10 in the morning.

@ctbadger

Not only does the melody fall out, so does the chorus and half the lyrics. This is a mind-blowing piece of film.

@ericm8333

It’s actually insane this was caught on camera

@Strathclydegamer

It’s just mind blowing, they’re sitting around waiting for John and this whole new song just falls out of Paul’s head. George is giving positive feedback, Ringo’s already working out the percussion… then John walks in, sits down and immediately picks up on it and joins in. The Beatles fully deserve to have their music listened to until the last human dies. To never be forgotten.

@andrewvincent7299

This is one of Paul’s most legendary songs and it was composed strumming his bass while waiting for John to show up. The guy was such a genius it’s not even funny.

@EmeraldWoodArchives

The fact that this wasnt in the original Let It Be is baffling. What a moment. “We need another million selling hit single, lads” “Right, give me about 4 minutes”

@JosephLewis07

We would never have Get Back if John wasn’t late, cheers John!!

@N1ckRa

It’s almost like he discovers the song. Like it existed before he wrote it but hadn’t been given form yet

@android1617

Paul accomplished more in those few minutes than most musicians will in their entire careers.

@BennieDuck

something warms my heart about when ringo starts throwing in that extra ‘get back’

@yusuke5331

Watching Paul making this song out of nothing is so mesmerizing

@JeffreyBue_imtxsmoke

My favorite song from the album and watching Paul just pull it out of his ass is pretty damn amazing. I’ve never understood how people can just create a song out of thin air like that.

@arminmne2006

This is the most monumental piece in the history of the docunentary films. An absolute treasure.

@1Wayo

From zero to Get Back in a few minutes. Wow!

@Plate-Mate

Paul was really the heart of this band. If it wasn’t for him, this group would have ended way before 1970. Thank you, Paul!!!

@DanSchroeder-j5r

Christ imagine the pressure of being a songwriter in that band.

@77acacosta

This is one of the most beautiful things to be able to witness.

@andruwinter902

I feel like I just watched something extremely magical

@LinkRocks

This is a writer’s dream on how to create a song you’re proud of. You’re just noodling around the guitar or piano and suddenly magic happens. I’m sure there were times when Paul couldn’t come up with an idea to save his life, then something like that happens as if it’s always this easy. lol I love it.