Unveiling the Story Behind The Beatles' 'Her Majesty': From Almost Cut to Album Highlight
The Beatles' iconic track "Her Majesty" may be short, but its journey to Abbey Road was anything but easy. Initially planned as part of a medley for the album, the song almost got cut until a tape operator intervened. Recorded in just three takes, Paul McCartney's acoustic performance stands out in the midst of the album's elaborate sequence of songs.
Despite McCartney's initial decision to remove "Her Majesty" from the running order, tape operator John Kurlander saved the track, following the rule of never discarding anything related to The Beatles. The unexpected placement of the song at the end of the album turned out to be a pleasant surprise for McCartney, adding a playful touch to the record's conclusion.
With its cheeky love song approach to Queen Elizabeth II, "Her Majesty" provides a lighthearted ending to Abbey Road, showcasing The Beatles' ability to embrace accidental moments in their music. The album's success, topping both the Billboard 200 and U.K. Albums Chart, solidified its place as one of the band's most significant achievements.