What was the Beatles' last album?
Quick answer
The last album the Beatles recorded together was Abbey Road, released in September 1969. However, Let It Be, mostly recorded earlier in January 1969, was the last album released, in May 1970, shortly after the band broke up.
Why the order is confusing
| Album | Recorded | Released |
|---|---|---|
| Let It Be | Mostly January 1969 | May 1970 (last released) |
| Abbey Road | February–August 1969 | September 1969 (last recorded) |
The Let It Be sessions, filmed for a documentary, were tense, and the band shelved the tapes. They then regrouped to make Abbey Road, knowing it might be their last album together. Let It Be was later finished by producer Phil Spector and released after the split.
Abbey Road highlights
- “Come Together” and “Something” (George Harrison’s song, which Frank Sinatra reportedly called a great love song)
- “Here Comes the Sun”
- The medley on side two, stitching short songs into one long piece
- The famous cover photo of the four Beatles on the zebra crossing outside EMI Studios on Abbey Road in London. The crossing is now a protected landmark, and the studio was renamed Abbey Road Studios.
The breakup
On April 10, 1970, Paul McCartney announced he had left the band, and the Beatles officially dissolved later that year. Each member went on to a solo career.
The Beatles’ “final” song
In 2023, the remaining Beatles released “Now and Then,” built from an old John Lennon demo with help from AI audio technology that separated his voice from the piano. It was billed as “the last Beatles song.”
The Beatles in brief
| Formed | Liverpool, 1960 |
| Members | John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr |
| Studio albums | 12 (UK releases) |
| US No. 1 singles | 20, a record |
For another classic rock album, see Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. For more music history, read about The Who.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.