About The Song
(Watch the video below)
"Dig It" is a brief, experimental track by The Beatles featured on their final studio album, "Let It Be," released in 1970. The song is a testament to the band's creative spontaneity and the informal atmosphere surrounding the "Let It Be" recording sessions, which ultimately became both a showcase of their musical prowess and a document of their internal tensions.
"Dig It" is unique in the Beatles' catalog for its loose, improvised nature. The track emerged during a jam session on January 26, 1969, at Apple Studio, where the band was recording material for what would later become the "Let It Be" album. The original recording of "Dig It" was much longer, but only a snippet was included in the final album release, lasting just under a minute.
The song begins with John Lennon casually introducing the band members, playfully mentioning each member's nickname. The atmosphere is relaxed, capturing a moment of camaraderie among the musicians. The lyrics consist mainly of the repeated phrase "Like a rolling stone," a nod to Bob Dylan's iconic song, reflecting the Beatles' admiration for Dylan's work and their shared musical influences.
Musically, "Dig It" features a bluesy, rock-and-roll vibe. The instrumentation is minimal, with prominent piano chords, simple drumming by Ringo Starr, and sporadic guitar riffs. The track has a raw, unpolished feel, emphasizing the impromptu nature of its creation. The bluesy groove, coupled with the off-the-cuff vocal delivery, contributes to the song's laid-back and improvisational character.
While "Dig It" may not be one of The Beatles' more polished or structured compositions, its inclusion on the "Let It Be" album serves as a snapshot of the band's collaborative process and the dynamic between its members during their final studio sessions. The "Let It Be" sessions were marked by tension and disagreements, with the band on the verge of breaking up. "Dig It" provides a glimpse into the lighter moments amidst the challenges, showcasing the band's ability to find joy and camaraderie even in the midst of creative differences.
Interestingly, the track was originally much longer, with additional lyrics and musical segments that were eventually edited out. The decision to include only a snippet of "Dig It" in the final album may have been influenced by the band's desire to present a more cohesive and polished product, as "Let It Be" was intended to be a return to their live performance roots.
In retrospect, "Dig It" stands as a quirky and candid addition to The Beatles' discography. Its brevity and improvisational style make it a unique piece within the band's body of work, offering fans a glimpse into a moment of spontaneity and camaraderie during a period of both creative exploration and internal strife. While it may not be one of The Beatles' most celebrated tracks, "Dig It" remains a fascinating and unfiltered artifact from the final chapter of the band's storied career.
Video
Lyrics
Let's sing along with the lyrics!
Like a rolling stone
Like a rolling stone
Like a rolling stone
Like the FBI
And the CIA
And the BBC
B.B. King
And Doris Day
Matt Busby, dig it, dig it
Dig it, dig it, dig it
That was "Can You Dig It" by Georgie Wood
And now we'd like to do "Hark the Angels Come"