Abbey Road was the eleventh studio album by The Beatles, released on September 26, 1969 by Apple Records. The recording sessions for the album were the last in which all four Beatles participated.
Track listing
1. “Come Together”
2. “Something”
3. “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”
4. “Oh! Darling”
5. “Octopus’s Garden”
6. “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”
7. “Here Comes the Sun”
8. “Because”
9. “You Never Give Me Your Money”
10. “Sun King”
11. “Mean Mr. Mustard”
12. “Polythene Pam”
13. “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window”
14. “Golden Slumbers”
15. “Carry That Weight”
16. “The End”
17. “Her Majesty”
Flip through the gallery to learn more about Abbey Road by The Beatles
The cover was designed by Apple Records creative director Kosh. It is the only original U.K. Beatles album sleeve to not show the artist name nor the title on its front cover. Kosh explained that "we didn't need to write the band's name on the cover ... they were the most famous band in the world
The album's two halves represented a compromise. John Lennon wanted a traditional release with distinct and unrelated songs. Paul McCartney and George Martin wanted to continue their thematic approach from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Mixed Reviews Photo By: Mark and Colleen Hayward/Getty Images
Although Abbey Road was an immediate commercial success and reached Number 1 in the U.K. and U.S., it initially received mixed reviews. Many critics now view the album as The Beatles' best work and rank it as one of the greatest albums of all time
By September 1969, after the recording of Abbey Road, John Lennon had formed a new group, the Plastic Ono Band. He did this in part because the Beatles had rejected his song "Cold Turkey
Officially Disbanded Photo By: Hans J. Hoffmann/ullstein bild/Getty Images
On September 20, 1969, John Lennon formally announced his departure from the band. The Beatles did not promote Abbey Road directly, and no public announcement was made of the band's split until Paul McCartney announced he was leaving the group in April 1970. At that point, they officially disbanded
Timothy Leary Photo By: Bill Peters/The Denver Post/Getty Images
Come Together" started as John Lennon's attempt to write a song for Timothy Leary's campaign for governor of California against Ronald Reagan. However, his campaign promptly ended when Leary was sent to prison for possession of marijuana
Maxwell's Silver Hammer" was written in October 1968 by Paul McCartney, though credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was originally Intended for the album The Beatles, but left off because of time constraints
Octopus’s Garden Photo By: David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
Octopus's Garden" was written and sung by Ringo Starr, but credited to his real name Richard Starkey. The idea for the song came about when Starr was on a boat belonging to comedian Peter Sellers in Sardinia in 1968. He ordered fish and chips for lunch, but instead of fish, he got squid
Apple Scruffs Photo By: David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
Paul McCartney says "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" was inspired by Apple scruffs … dedicated fans who hung around outside the Abbey Road studio, the Apple Corps offices, and the individual homes of The Beatles
