The Beatles- Across The Universe ("Let It Be... Naked" version)

[Zimnyification]

The ending of this is the shit.

[schmee6]

@Zimnyification I'm with you. Turn up the ending! Very cool.

[alexander8813]

Omg dislikers.. this is beatles!! you cant dislike it!

[251jcb]

..3 people have no soul

[therealbabyv]

While I can understand John liking the Spector version (I do too), I'm a sucker for acoustic, authentic sounding songs and this version is beautiful.

[Saternoc]

Paul is so dead on how The Beatles should be heard: Sgt. Pepper in Mono; Let It Be....Naked

[piranalu]

I'm getting the "vibe here". without help form halllucianigentics!

[elhelterskelter]

Esta es mi version favorita ♥

[BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

No. Just no. "Across the Universe" was not proper on the WWF album (even though that version is my favourite), was not proper on the Spector album and is pretty lame here too. The only way to justify this song to Lennon's desire is to actually remove the string overdubs from the Spector version and retain the choir. I personally think the sped up, teenaged girls version does the song justice but it's all up to John. And he's dead so...

[ramon19141]

This is my favorite version. Like Paul said: " This is the way it was supposed to be heard".

[bend353]

@ramon19141 It as John's song, and it was his decision to hire Phil Spector, and he liked what Spector did, so... Artistically speaking, this is incomplete

[ramon19141]

@bend353 Yes you're right, I remember that. But I just think this version is so clean. Even his vocal sounds crisp.

[lolzyouhaveaids]

You're all a bunch of cuntbags. The Beatles were communist spies, 9/11 was done by the Jews, Obama is the antichrist and if you read this far and are mad, you've been trolled.

The Beatles are great :)

[Solon1]

so beautiful

[pass440]

2 dislikes thats why theres no world peace

[Ponimaju]

2 people think it's cool to not like the beatles

[soulseeker300]

i wish they had kept the AhahAhah vocals from the wwf version

[1Moregano1]

1 person is Phil Spector.

[devtrev]

"Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns" - do lyrics get any better than that?

[devtrev]

Genius.



[blueshifter]

to the ass who clicked dislike: this is why we can't have nice things!

[QuantumInteger]

This was intended to be the master version of Across the Universe...then Phil Spector got his hand on the album and put in that "wall of sound" and ruined the album. Let It Be was supposed to bring the Beatles back to their roots as a four piece band but it became a pretentious and perfunctory act of self indulgence instead.

[carrier3232]

sounds like Lennon singing in his living room, very authentic and real-GREAT!

[Psicobeatle]

Spector´s version is better

[rafalafaa9736]

I'm so tempted to dislike this video just to see what the people who actually care about that stupid bar would say.

It seems like it would ruin their day lol.

[MCullenHightopp]

Sounds more... homey, and less Universe-y! :)

[frwhat]

No dislikes. Some faith in humanity has been restored!

[SuperGogetem]

Is this the original recording from early '68?

[alb639]

@SuperGogetem Sort of. They took the original, but stripped out the "Wall of Sound" that Phil Spector had added to the track you heard on the original "Let It Be" album. That's the entire point behind the ...Naked CDs. They are stripped down versions, truer to what McCartney wanted. Lennon liked the Wall of Sound production that Phil Spector applied.

[MrMegavana]

@SuperGogetem No, but you can find that on the American rarities lp, I have it, you can look it up and find it.

[theLazyiestTurtle]

John actually loved the job Phil Spector did on this song in the original LP.

[olamf1977]

beautiful!! you can hear lennons voice and guitar an nothin else!! neat-o. great idea, paul.

[drkam6]

What a beautiful original version. It really didn't need the orchestra and choir.

[ShareTheMike]

Phil Spector used his Wall of Sound to cover up the shortcomings of his musicians...the Beatles did'nt need him...

[MrAdammack]

No Dislikes! Amazing. Never seen that before with such a large viewing.Cool.

[MJBSAMMYGz]

I found better this version!

[StarInvasion]

This version is so much better than the original. Is it just me, or does this sound kindof like #9 dream off the Walls and Bridges album?

[redrey718619]

Why does anyone stess the dislike side quit being so sensitive. I like this song but the waiting to get upset at a dislike is FUCKING GAY.

[funnyjunkvmkman]

@SamEagleUSA

THAT ONE SOULLESS PRICK, Would you mind helping me kill him?

[marysings38]

Man, John could write a beautiful song...

[lifestraight]

@marysings38 This version is better than the original. Don't like the overproduced Martin sound.

[TheBlackFandango]

@lifestraight You mean Phil Spector? Not George Martin.

[HolyScarab6]

@lifestraight It wasn't Martin, it was Phil Spector

[sesabio]

this version is AS good as the original.they both stand up on their own.even the Beatles new it.

[FriendlyShadow1]

This is much better than the Let it Be version. I prefer the anthology version's instrumentation, but the vocals here are better.

[walrusss90]

"Fue inspiración pura y me fue dada, es una de las mejores letras que he escrito" John Lennon

[TheBeatleManiac101]

This version is so beautiful :)

[aniqwertyani]

@TheBeatleManiac101

Actually Anthology Version Is Best, It has a great Flow....

this version is also simply beautiful

[Madferit71]

this is awesome but i still like the anthology version better

[mulletpower2009]

this version is the best

[RussianThickness1]

hmmm. phil spector sucked.

[mulletpower2009]

@RussianThickness1 he did :P

[syltorix]

This band always had problems with this song, they didn't realy know how to do it. I think that they kept making this song better, the first wildlife version wasn't that good, the Let it Be one is great and this one... Wow, thank you paul!:)

[utahan15]

beautiful lyrics! dreamy! love! life! living! wanting more and yet grasping at water and straws!

[d347b2]

Across the Universe Original version: a song I always skipped, almost unlistenable, sounding like the vocal is coming out of a broken AM radio, underwater.

Across the Universe Naked version: One of the best songs the Beatles ever made.

Long and Winding Road Original: overly dramatic, almost cheesy.

Long and Winding Road naked: intimate and beautiful.

I'm always thankful McCartney fixed and restored Let It Be as it should have been. This version, to me, is THE version.

[TheOneartist]

@d347b2 You mean the Phil Spector version of Across the Universe, right? There are two original versions of Across the Universe. The other one was the Wildlife version which is on Past Masters, which I like, although this is a great raw version.

There's another one that I really like but was never officially released. People call it the psychedelic version, since it has backwards effects.

[ryl0]

@neon0lemonade A-Fucking-Men. Honestly I thought the album version of Across the Universe sucked then i heard the short version from the Let It Be movie and i thought "Holy Shit That's Great! WHat happened to It?!" though I do wish they kept the chorus harmonies with Paul on this version..

[neon0lemonade]

When I heard the original version of this song, it was rather forgettable . John sounded really stoned, and the orchestra sounded like horseshit. I had no idea how badly Phil Spector had royally fucked this song until I heard this version for the first time and could do nothing but cry. Say what you want about Paul, but he engineered this masterpiece back to the way it was meant to be heard. And God bless him for it.

[K4FxCOREY]

There's a reason there is not dislikes.

[jadaskylar]

Fantastic. Better than the original. There's no phaser on John's vioice, which makes it sound loads better. Also, there's no orchestra playing, which adds to the perfectness of this version. Where can I download the audio version of this song? <333 (:

PS: I just murdered the replay button.

[Rts4108]

How was this song sped back up? I thought they slowed it down?

[spacemonkey93jm]

@Rts4108 it's actually one of the first takes they recorded in February 1968, McCartney tried to make it more like what they intended to

[zoyelque2009]

Wow that was powerful.

[the3rdeyeopened]

Thank you John!!! You changed my world for the better...now if only we can get the rest of the wankers on board...Love and Peace=WINNING.

[billionthbeatle]

this version just takes my breath away. it's so beautiful

[solidsnakef]

i like this version more than the others :)

[WutsParanormal]

I'm absolutely amazed at everyone's Internet degree in the field of sound engineering and production. Next we can earn our degrees in nitpicking at songs to then regard them as "poor overly produced pieces of corporate shit" just because a bunch of unhappy 15 year old hipsters hogging up the Starbucks wifi spot can't get their fix of originality because this song is "too mainstream." (Even though I'm sure you all regarded the Let It Be version the best before you heard this one)

[BandSkeletonKey]

@WutsParanormal i think your right =\. for some reason, the beatles are a real hipster target. doesnt mean that you cant enjoy a real sound for a little bit right?

[dfarmbrough]

This mix allows the purity of John Lennon's voice to shine through.

[beatlesman135]

WOW. This version is some much better than the orginal

[smashN]

katiekay12648 "better than the remake"? this is the remake man....

[pmdnyc]

@smashN This is not the "remake"....this is what it originally sounded like before Phil Spector got involved and added all the other stuff. This just was never released.

[smashN]

@pmdnyc Well, then all the beatle's songs with orchestra are "remakes". And Eleonor Rigby is a' cappela song. Good argument.

[mccartney2011]

Is it just me, or does it seem like this variant of the song is more clear than the album version and the "No One's Gonna Change My World" charity version (the one with the bird effects)?

[kaxibum999]

Love it<3

[JamspongeVideo]

@speedguitar88

The Little Black Songbook. It's a great book, and I believe the bigger version also has the pieces for lead guitar, bass, drums and (I think) piano. I just have the little version, lyrics and chords.

[JamspongeVideo]

@speedguitar88

Ahh, thank you, I understand now. I have a Beatles songbook, and I just noticed it tells you to tune the guitar one semitone down. I play it without tuning, but thank you.

[dfarmbrough]

@JamspongeVideo What's the point in that? How hard can it be to sing it a semitone higher?

[JamspongeVideo]

@dfarmbrough

As I said, I play it without tuning. I probably subconsciously sing higher, I've never actually played with the record.

[dfarmbrough]

@JamspongeVideo OK. I just think a lot of people worry too much about tuning. As long as it's within a half-octave either way it should sound close enough.

[JamspongeVideo]

@speedguitar88

Phil Spector speeded up the original (1968) version to around 3:47, and then slowed down the Let it Be version to a similar length. Leading to both songs being out of tune...

[SuperKawaiiPandaGirl]

I know everyone just adores this version... but personally, the orchestration in the background made it that much more a beautiful and complex song. I just liked the way it flowed together. I know my comment will probably get "thumbs downed" off the page, but I'm just giving my opinion.

[manoza99]

@SuperKawaiiPandaGirl I think both versions are great...different but great.

[SuperKawaiiPandaGirl]

@manoza99 So do I. :D

[SuperKawaiiPandaGirl]

@mccartney2011 I think so too! I was just afraid that people would reply with a bunch of nasty comments since I wrote this on the "Naked" version, you know. :)

[mpierce8863]

Haha, and to think, now days bands like Nickelback or Taylor Swift top the charts, I guess the majority of people just keep getting dumber

[coldKYLEfly123]

Way better than the Spector version, he totally shit on this song.

[dfktrex]

Comparing it the released version, John's vocals are faster and sound 'fresher' in this mix. I agree, the Spector embellishments aren't needed. Interesting...

[raydoskiloco666]

R.I.P. John Lennon :'-(

[Love3Beatles]

Say what you will about Paul, only John can make me cry.

[FulchesterUnited]

Spector was as genius commercially, but McCartney was/is virtually peerless musically. The original is outstanding but you listen to this version and you think "yeh, that's exactly what it was meant to sound like". I think McCartney was the better songwriter overall, but this song is as close to musical perfection (outside of Beethoven) as you can get really....

[PhantomThiefSorry]

i cant find this cd anywhere :( and i finally settled on the regular one, and the orchestras are so fricken annoying... I can't even hear them play! and y are the effects so much louder than the vocals??? I don't know what those production ppl were thinking. this is amazing just the way it is

[Perilouspack]

@PhantomThiefSorry stores only sell it in the form of (albums) or some of you may know them as (records)

[Perilouspack]

@PhantomThiefSorry stores only sell it in the form of (albums) or some of you may know them as (records) i have not seen a cd anywhere either

[CompleatBeatles]

@Perilouspack

This album was most definitely released as a compact disc. It is widely available from every major internet retailer.

[spolochon]

@Perilouspack *coughs* Damn, why is it on my CD shelves then?

I don't know if CD stores regularly put it on sale, but it does exist... try to order it online from Amazon or whatever maybe. It DOES exist anyway, for good!

[superjohn1658]

@Perilouspack This album is available at best buy if you can find it there

[TheBeatleManiac101]

this is so much better than the original let it be version. its so beautiful (:

[cheesk8er]

i cried when i first heard this song, its so good.

Im gonna play and sing it for the varsity show when i get to high school

[axotrax]

I walked down the aisle with my mum to this, to await my wonderful bride, under redwood trees in Big Sur. It made me feel like my dad was still in this world to be there with us. When I listen to it now, it makes me feel like John is still here, too. Happy Birthday, Mr. Lennon. We miss you. Thank you for the music.

[pandabear1024]

happy birthday john. Although nothing may have changed your world, you sure as hell changed mine

[Saturn100]

This is definitely the best version. However, this obviously was not recorded live during the Let it Be sessions, but during an earlier time period. The fade out gives it away. But I guess the original Spector version wasn't really from those sessions either, so this is merely a "stripped" version of that.

[limeymanftw]

So much better than Phil Spector's shitty version.

[ppescidavid]

this is the best version of the song

[TheManWithNoUsrName]

I honestly can't believe John wasn't happy with this song...and his original recording is the best! It's not unnaturally sped up like the single or slowed and generally messed up like Spector's Let it Be version. Thank goodness for YouTube!

[ragingbull888]

why is this song so underrated by critics, every time i read about it it is way down low on lists or brushed off.

[urcMD1]

i love this version <3

[spirtw72]

this end gives me chills.just john's dreamy chants floating into infinity is the way this song was meant to play out.

[MrZebraZombie]

Thank you Paul for fixing what Phil fucked up.

[ppescidavid]

@MrZebraZombie Besides this track on naked I think I actually prefer the original versions of most of the songs, but i'd listen to both. But agreed, I hate the Let it be version of across the universe. terrible. This one is perfect though...perfect

[bseenmedia2]

Spector ruined this album and John and George's solo material too.

[BPMontana]

@MrZebraZombie John wrote a few songs of this caliber, like Strawberry Fields, but you're right - I don't think he really wrote anything like this after he left the Beatles. (besides Imagine, which I think he started on before the Beatles era concluded) It's very melody-heavy and kind of whisks you away to another world.

[MrZebraZombie]

@BPMontana, Agreed. Lennon and McCartney's work after the Beatles is so different, great but different. Harrison has my favorite ex-Beatle career.

[ppescidavid]

@BPMontana I disagree John wrote so many great songs after the beatles. #9 dream is soooo great in a similar way this is. Woman, Instant Karma, Love, mind games, just like starting over, watching the wheels, Jealous guy, Gimmie some truth, working class hero are other great ones. I could go on forever. I think his solo music is so underrated. No it wasn't as good as his beatles stuff but neither was pauls post beatles music. They brought out each others full potential. They needed each other

[BPMontana]

@ppescidavid Well, I simply meant that the songs he wrote while in the Beatles were kind of on a different level then his solo stuff. Not to say I didn't think his solo stuff was good, I love Instant Karma, Love, Jealous Guy, etc. I was just saying that the Beatles stuff was in a different caliber.

[MrZebraZombie]

@BPMontana, I think their solo music wasn't as musically creative as in The Beatles.

[BPMontana]

@MrZebraZombie Agreed!

[Pwnzor729]

@MrZebraZombie I guess the main thing that made them creative was the collaboration between them. That's not to say that their solo stuff was bad, by any means, but the chemistry between the four of those guys was just "right."

[BPMontana]

@MrZebraZombie I think Paul was a big fan of this song, too. Seemed like he was when he chimed in with a harmony on the Let It Be movie.

[Doc4orUgs]

oh my god they fucked this song up... phil spector did... glad i got to hear it again after TRYING to listen to his abomination again. thank the government for letting (joking again) Youtube exist. i guess you could blend them together too.... and REALLY have the ultimate version.... too much like the song eh? too many ideas. too much gets personal.

[KedmenecMartin]

where is the wah-wah guitar? it was actualy there in the final take,the wah-wah guitar wasnt spectors job but johns overdub!

[m0therfan]

@KedmenecMartin There are two versions. The single version has the wah wah guitar and the Let it be version does not. There's also some other differences, like how the single version has birds chipping at the beginning.

[pepsicola2112]

love this song. love the beatles. everything about this song is so friggen awesome .

[Ippy78]

they didn't need orchestras and fancy arrangements, all they needed were a few guitars, drums, and a dream

[blizzarddiaryozzy]

@Ippy78

sorry that was really name 

[evilboogermonkey]

@Ippy78 ...and love

[bodaciousellie]

@Ippy78 And a sitar

[coreymitchelhoulden]

@Ippy78 K.

[Ippy78]

@coreymitchelhoulden with all respect, that comment was from a year ago, lol. i kinda phrased it gayly didnt i?

[00falco00]

@Ippy78 That is Seriously the Best Comment I've Ever read on Youtube.

[NikkiEatsRainbows]

I heard this version before I heard the incredibly over produced version. This one is so much better. The whole Let It Be... Naked album is better than the produced version.

[katiekay12648]

this version is so much better than the remake, it is so simple, and you can really hear the message in the lyrics, i love it :)

[Preisellack]

@katiekay12648 <3

[manoza99]

@katiekay12648 this is the best