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Don't Let Me Down

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“Don't Let me Down”
“Don't Let me Down” cover
Single by The Beatles
A-side "Get Back"
Released 11 April 1969
Format 7"
Recorded 27 January 1969
Genre Rock
Length 3:25
Label Apple Records
Writer(s) Lennon/McCartney
Producer George Martin
The Beatles singles chronology
"Hey Jude"
(1967)
"Don't Let Me Down" / "Get Back"
(1968)
"Ballad of John and Yoko"/ "Old Brown Shoe"
(1969)
(to Ringo, regarding the cymbal smash in the intro) 'Give me a big 'kzzzsshhhh!' Give me the courage to come screaming in.'

—John Lennon, 1969

That's me, singing about Yoko.

—John Lennon, 1980

It was a very tense period. John was with Yoko, and had escalated to heroin and all the accompanying paranoias and he was putting himself out on a limb. I think that, as much as it excited and amused him, at the same time it secretly terrified him. So 'Don't Let Me Down' was a genuine plea, 'Don't let me down, please, whatever you do. I'm out on this limb...' It was saying to Yoko, 'I'm really stepping out of line on this one. I'm really letting my vulnerability be seen, so you must not let me down.' I think it was a genuine cry for help. It was a good song. We recorded it in the basement of Apple for 'Let It Be' and later did it up on the roof for the film. We went through it quite alot for this one. I sang harmony on it, which makes me wonder if I helped with a couple of the words, but I don't think so. It was John's song.

—Paul McCartney, 1994



The Beatles performing this song on the rooftop of the Apple building at 3 Saville Row, London.

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