I learned to play this one when I was 16, mainly to impress girls at parties (spoiler: it didn’t work). I’ve never had the courage to play it live or put down a recording - the original version always seemed too impossibly perfect - but then the other day I read on Instagram that McCartney did about 24 takes (?)… so perhaps perfection only comes from a mass of imperfection. I also hadn’t listened to the Beyonce version, but checked it out as a reference and was massively impressed with the additional harmonies, which has kind of influenced my (much less impressive) BVs towards the end…
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you have that guitar part down pat and your vocals are more soulful and have more depth than the beatles version. i always thought it was a pretty but lightweight song, but your cover brings out the implicit subtext that may or may not be my own misinterpretation…that the song is about bilie holiday. i never thought that listening to the beatles version.
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Cheers Bill, I think it’s one of those which leaves a lot of space open for interpretation. He may well have had Billie Holliday in mind. I feel like it’s one of his best lyrics in any case (always think of him as a melody writer predominantly).
Great job with the guitar part and the vocal. It’s a fun part to play, and you’ve got it down.
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I have always loved this deeply meaningful song, even more so when I finally learned what the lyrics were actually about. I love your soulful vocals on this song, and the gentle backing vocals sound fantastic. Wonderful guitar work also, and I like the percussion also. I really enjoyed your version!
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Bravo!! This sounds so beautiful. I love how you sing it! And your playing is impeccable. I had no idea Beyonce made one… Your cool bvs make me want to go check hers out.
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I learned this on the guitar at about 18 or 19 and was taught it by a boy that I was trying to impress!! (Probably the last one as well haha!!) After all these years I still can’t get it right the whole way through, your playing is excellent, those girls at parties got it wrong 
Your vocals lend a little more weight to the song as well, I always thought that McCartney’s delivery was too whimsical for the subject of civil rights. (Haven’t heard Beyoncé’s version, not bothered for it).
I’ve been doing a bit of a deep dive into the ‘White’ Album recently and was interested to find out that it was only during their time in India in 1968 that John and Paul really learnt fingerpicking from folk singer Donovan, Blackbird and Julia being two of the most immediate results.
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“…perfection only comes from a mass of imperfection”.
Truer words have never been written.
Super impressive guitar work here, wow.
Yeah, you’ve really defused McCartney’s pop sensibilities here with your soulful vocals.
Those extra voices are the icing on the cake.
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What a beautiful cover. I’ve always loved this song. I thing the strength of your voice contrasts nicely with the delicate picking and background vocals.
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Sweet guitar playing. Great vocals and those BV add a nice touch and I may add are tastefully done.
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