It Don'T Come Easy (1971) 6/3/20

Sometimes writing a song “Don't Come Easy.” Take today's “Great Song of the '70s, for example.

After the Beatles broke up, George and Ringo spent quite a bit of time together, working on songs for each others solo projects. (We highlighted one of their best collaborations, “Photograph” back on February 12th.)

One of their songs, “Got to Pay Your Dues,” gave them no end of trouble. George wrote it and Ringo liked the tune, but he had an issue with some of the lyrics in the third verse. George wanted it to be about God, but Ringo wasn't too keen on the idea. They haggled a bit, and finally compromised with lyrics about peace and love.

Then it was off to the studio, where they tinkered...and tinkered...and tinkered until they finally came up with something they both liked. Overall, it took more than 50 takes over 3 sessions, using several different musicians—some of whom never made the final cut.

No wonder they changed the name from “Got to Pay Your Dues” to “It Don't Come Easy!”

In the end, George produced it and played guitar, with Ringo on lead vocals and drums. Background vocals were provided by the group Badfinger, and Gary (“Dream Weaver”) Wright played keyboards.

It didn't come easy...but the results were well worth all the tinkering: In 1971, it was a Top 10 hit in 14 countries, including #1 in Canada and #4 in the US!

Here's the “Fab Two:”