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The Beatles

The End, The Beatles final mantra

Inspire

The Beatles’ last song gallantly sealed the band’s end.

Although nobody wanted to believe it, in mid-1969 it appeared that the end of one of the protagonists of the history of music and culture of the 20th century was imminent. After having achieved everything, including being “more popular than Jesus,” The Beatles had almost imploded.

Included on the Abbey Road album, which was recorded under the pressure of the record label and in an atmosphere of notable friction between the four band members, “The End” would prove to be a prophetic piece that would mark the end of the band, and was the last song they would record together.

Charged with a probably therapeutic intensity, “The End” is characterized by guitar solos by Harrison, Lennon and McCartney, and a drum solo by Ringo (something he didn’t often do). The solos eventually give way to a melodic piano that announces the closing lines: And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

It would appear that, at least on one plane of consciousness, they all knew that that phrase would be the last they would share, and McCartney was charged with condensing that historic moment into a couple of lines.

Some people attribute the title of “universal law” to it, something that is difficult to prove. But in any case, what has so far appeared unquestionable is that impermanence is non-negotiable, it is simply a given. Including The Beatles.

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