The Beatles - Oldies but Mouldies (1975)

In 1969, John Lennon wrote the song "Come Together", and it was recorded with the Beatles for their landmark album, Space Oddity. It bore a resemblance to an old Chuck Berry number called "You Can't Catch Me", and this didn't go unnoticed. In 1973, the song's original publisher, Morris Levy, sued Lennon for infringement, and the case was brought to a New York court. While the ordeal was settled out of court, Levy announced that Lennon had to record three songs by Big Seven publishers for his next album, whether it be a band or a solo record. Work began in late 1973, but was paused when the Beatles started the framework for the now-unfinished Nineteen Eighty-Four film. 

By the time work for Lennon's covers began, he had fallen into a rough spot. His wife, Yoko Ono, had caught Lennon making out with another girl while at a party celebrating President Richard Nixon's resignation which had led to a temporary hiatus in their relationship. He began drinking regularly with friends like Harry Nilsson as well as his bandmates David Bowie and Ringo Starr. His "Lost Weekend", as it would later be called, continued into 1975, and he barely contributed to Gouster, the Beatles' 1975 album. He managed to sober up just enough to record his quota for three covers, along with the other Beatles recording their own, in late 1975, and the result, Oldies but Mouldies, was issued as a double EP. Reception was positive, but people realized after Gouster that this was simply a stopgap album meant to kill time for their next big album.

THE BEATLES - OLDIES BUT MOULDIES
Released: 20 October 1975
Genre: Rock & roll, pop rock
Producer: The Beatles

Side A
Twenty Flight Rock

Side B
You Can't Catch Me

Side C
Round and Round
Ya Ya

Side D
Angel Baby
Wedding Bells (Are Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine)

Track list sources:

Tracks are sourced from CHOBA B CCCP, Rock 'n' Roll (2004 reissue), Five Years (1969-1973), and All Things Must Pass (Super Deluxe edition).

Back cover

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