Dig A Pony: Introduction
“Dig A Pony” is a Beatles’ song from their 1970 album “Let It Be.” It also appears on the “Let It Be… Naked” album from 2003.
In Detail
- Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing
- Released: May 8, 1970
- Recorded: January 30, 1969 (rooftop concert)
- Genre: Blues rock
- Track Duration: 3:52
- Record Label: Apple, EMI
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producers: Phil Spector (Let It Be album)
- Engineer: Glyn Johns
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead vocal, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass guitar
- George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Other Performer
- Billy Preston: electric piano
Where To Find “Dig A Pony”
You can still buy the song if you seek out the following albums:
Dig A Pony: Background
Written by John Lennon but credited to Lennon-McCartney, “Dig A Pony” comes from the 1969 “Get Back/Let It Be sessions”. In this case, the album version comes from the Apple Rooftop Concert from January 30, 1969. Originally called “All I Want Is You,” Lennon wrote it for his future wife, Yoko Ono, which was natural for him around this period because of his infatuation with her.
In a rather bizarre manner, some of the phrases in the lyrics are nonsensical, which Lennon describes as a Bob Dylan style of lyric. However, lyrics aside, what you get is a good Beatles’ tune with the band members playing perfectly.
The track sits on side one of “Let It Be” after track 1, “Two Of Us” and before, “Across The Universe.”
Recording Studio
During the early part of 1969, Paul McCartney wanted The Beatles to stay together as a group. This is because, after their trip to India in 1968 and the recording of the “White Album” that year, cracks were showing and the band members were constantly bickering. The idea was to get back to their roots and see if they could sort out their differences, bringing back a state of harmony again.
The Get Back project was going to have a film crew record their rehearsals right through to their first public performance since 1966. As a result, there would be both a film and a soundtrack album. It would also see the band perform many of their old songs. In other words, it was an attempt to try to get back the camaraderie that they once had.
Although they got through these “Get Back” sessions and even recorded “Abbey Road” later, the band just couldn’t stay together. Be that as it may, the “Get Back” project became “Let It Be,” and luckily, the documentary film and album did materialise.
The “Let It Be” album version of “Dig A Pony” is from the Apple Rooftop Concert on January 30, 1969. However, there is also a recording available on their 1996 album, “Anthology 3,” from a studio recording on January 22, 1969.
On the 2003 album “Let It Be… Naked,” there is a version without the false start. That false start came about through Ringo Starr shouting, “Hold it!” because he simply wasn’t ready.
Take A Listen
Once you listen to the song, please share your thoughts below.
