Opinions anyone? I mean, it's a nice little thing and all that, but was it really necessary to put it at the end of Abbey Road? There's the great grande finale of the medley with The End and then there's Paul McCartney with something about the queen... Should it have been kept off?

It does ruin the moment somewhat. But then again it is in keeping with their style of seemingly not taking themselves too seriously. They were always taking the piss.
They I'm not sure they realised the importance of the moment at the time, it does turn it on its head a bit, and is a litle irreverant to the grand finale. I'll go with it being a nice touch.

hmmm yeh perhaps a bit unecessary but I quite like the symbolism that 'The End' wasn't actually the end because there was another song- in the same way that the Beatles are never ending in a way because their music and legend and stuff goes on. That sounds all sappy and sentimental but that is probably one nice thing about it. Though I would be quite happy for it never to have existed on Abbey Road

Quoted from Kevin

They I'm not sure they realised the importance of the moment at the time, it does turn it on its head a bit, and is a litle irreverant to the grand finale. I'll go with it being a nice touch.

If I remember rightly, 'the grand finale' was meant to be 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)' until they swapped the sides over.

I don't mind it at all, though I guess if I was hearing the album for the first time I would probably think it ruined it.

It's nice on its own, but I do agree that it kind of spoils the end of the album. I usually turn off the CD player before Her Majesty comes on.

i enjoy the song... when i first listened to abbey road i heard about the great words at the end... and i listened and thought... what a great final. in the train.... and then silence... i still was thinking a bit about the album and her majesty started playing. i had to laugh so much in the train, i love it. it's a funny little ending that keeps the record from being too serious. i really enjoy the song and the fact that it seems so misplaced makes it lovely. like a kid that runs laughing a last time through a room after the party is over... i love paulie for puting this song on the end ^^

I really like Her Majesty there. It reminds me of the spoken words at the end of Sgt. Pepper's. They used to do things like this. About taking them too seriously, I think that the whistling in End of The End is another example. Paul is singing about his death and then he begins to whistle. Nice touch.

Interesting the Sgt. Pepper's point, sewi   ...

Quoted from Mairi

It's nice on its own, but I do agree that it kind of spoils the end of the album. I usually turn off the CD player before Her Majesty comes on.

Me too

I like it, but they should have left it off and allowed the album to end properly in my opinion.

Quoted from tangerine

hmmm yeh perhaps a bit unecessary but I quite like the symbolism that 'The End' wasn't actually the end because there was another song- in the same way that the Beatles are never ending in a way because their music and legend and stuff goes on. That sounds all sappy and sentimental but that is probably one nice thing about it. Though I would be quite happy for it never to have existed on Abbey Road

......but Paul put it in and it did exist on Abbey Road.  When I first heard the track and its abrupt ending I knew it meant that there would be more from the Beatles.  And then, happily, there was Let It Be with the ripe red apple label.  I thought that the red apple indicated that it would be their last album.  But then came The Beatles Again with the green apple appearing once more....more symbolism.  And so, as you said tangerine, "The End" wasn't actually the end.

The first chord of Her Majesty is the last of Mean Mr Mustard, so I guess the original plan was to fit Her Majesty in there. It probably didn't work out and they (that is Paul) obviously felt it was too good to throw away. And maybe it is, but I'm not sure about its position on the album. On the other hand, I can't think of any other place in the tracklist. True that it might be the first 'bonus' or 'additional' track. These Beatles keep innovative!

About the colour of the Apples: I never thought about it that way and I think neither did The Beatles. Interesting though to see why the apple on Let It Be is red. (Although I have a version with a green apple, but that's not the official one).

I must confess it annoys me as a proper album ending because i would have
prefered The End as the last one, but then again it is funny the way it was put on.
The first loud chord just makes you jump & you do tend to laugh as it was & still is
a surprise. I'm not sure who's idea it was to put it on the end (anybody know?).
It may have just sounded better the way they sliced it in between Mean Mr Mustard &
Polythene Pam.

Quoted from Bobber

About the colour of the Apples: I never thought about it that way and I think neither did The Beatles. Interesting though to see why the apple on Let It Be is red. (Although I have a version with a green apple, but that's not the official one).

Bobber,,,,,I found this link which explains the red and sometimes green apple which appears on the Let It Be album:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Beatles-386/Box-LP-set-red-1.htm

Quoted from Andy Smith

I'm not sure who's idea it was to put it on the end (anybody know?).

When McCartney decided that he didn't like it sandwiched between Mean Mr. Mustard and Polythene Pam he told the tape op to take it out and throw it away. EMI's policy was to never throw anything away, so it was put on the end of the tape and originaly used by accident.

Quoted from Hello Goodbye

Bobber,,,,,I found this link which explains the red and sometimes green apple which appears on the Let It Be album:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Beatles-386/Box-LP-set-red-1.htm

Excellent. Thanks a lot.

This song is really awesome i love it, and i download and download time and time again

Welcome to the forums, peterete ... hope you'll enjoy them!  

Yes Welcome peterete!, lots more new members joining up recently!

It's beautiful and terribly underrated. I always thought in an odd way it added to the album. You get this big bombast in the medley and all, and then end it with this little cherry on top that kind of caps things. It's a nice, pretty folk tune.

It's at the end of Abbey Road, Mam   She like's it and him

DaveRam

This gem from A.R. shouldve been extended..
Just think of the endlessly sarcastic lyrical possiblities if John was "let loose" on this ditty instead of the more staid Macca....

I shudder (with joy) at the thought

I don't think he'd have had to give his MBE back then! The Queens Guard would have been knocking his door down, and taking him to the Tower.

Quoted from BlueMeanie

I don't think he'd have had to give his MBE back then! The Queens Guard would have been knocking his door down, and taking him to the Tower.

guess what..I have a visual of that now--only its Macca I see being dragged to The Tower LOL --(I see Heather Mills calling from the crowd, "OFF WIFF HIS BLOODY 'ED!!!" ...she just wont give up, will she ?  

macca u bloody kiss a**              

With the inclusion of Her Majesty Paul was right 28 years after. 'The Beatles were not a serious group.'  

The strangest thing about this track is the fact that the all the music begins on one side of the stereo track, and then moving to the other. Did you notice that? What's the point?  

Quoted from wingsman

'The Beatles were not a serious group.'  

yes, and everyone looked into these 'ridicolous' serious meanings!

By memory, I've always had the recollection that the first chord of the song seems to waver a bit in its tuning, like the tape speed hasn't quite settled in, the tape itself has been stretched.

Anyone else notice anything like that?

Thanks!

Quoted from alexis

By memory, I've always had the recollection that the first chord of the song seems to waver a bit in its tuning, like the tape speed hasn't quite settled in, the tape itself has been stretched.

Anyone else notice anything like that?

Thanks!

That may be the end of Polythene Pam you're hearing.

Quoted from BlueMeanie

That may be the end of Polythene Pam you're hearing.

I wonder! Let us know what you think next time you listen ...

Thanks!

Quoted from alexis

I wonder! Let us know what you think next time you listen ...

Thanks!

Her Majesty does start with the end of Polythene Pam. It's the very first thing you hear.

Quoted from BlueMeanie

Her Majesty does start with the end of Polythene Pam. It's the very first thing you hear.

Right, but is that the cause of the "wavering" kind of sound? I'm not sure why a clean splice would do that, or maybe I'm just hearing something that's really not there (like these here voices   )

You're hearing the lingering harmonics of the guitar from the song that was supposed to come before it, "Mean Mr. Mustard." When strings are strummed hard, their pitches shift slightly as the ringing dissipates.

Like many, I'm sure, I've made my own edit of side 2, just to see what it sounds like with this short song in its original place, between "Mustard" and "Pam." Um...I think Paul made the right decision by taking it out.

You're right of course, MMM, not Polythene Pam. Can't understand why Paul even considered putting it in there.

Considering that particular stage of their recording career, maybe he didn't want two more John songs in a row.