Definitive version of Beatles´ Across The Universe

With the WA box set is out, with a new version of this track, let´s see if the opinion changes...

 

Anthology 2'a the only one I really like

 

The Let It Be one is the canon version. Personally I’m not crazy about the song proper.

 

Previous results...
POLL: Which Is The Best Version Of "Across The Universe"?

 

I know I'll be in the minority here but the first one I ever heard was back in 1970 on Let It Be and it has stuck with me. Other versions are great and fun to listen to for their own reasons but for me, the LIB version will always be "home base".

 

I have yet to hear the definitive version. I wish back when they did Anthology that they had tried another swing at it.

 

My favorite is the one off "Get Back" with the backwards guitars.

 

Anthology 2

 

I liked the 1969 version when I heard it. Then I bought Let It Be and got used to the 1970 version. At first I was a bit disappointed because I didn't think it quite measured up to 1969. Then I got used to it. By this time I can't really pick one or the other ...

 

"Let It Be Naked" (finished #2 in the previous poll... although it was a very close, evenly distributed log jam between 2nd, 3rd & 4th)... currently #2 in this poll too.

As fave a Beatles song as I have
As fave a song as I have

Love all the takes for different reasons
Such a great version on the WA50, that it ends up my I editable fave moment of newly revealed material

 

I don't think any of those versions actually reach "definitive" level. When I get too nitpicky about it, I just listen to an early January 1969 take of it with George wah wah-ing into oblivion and the rest of the band drifting aimlessly, and then I feel lucky to have the takes we've got.

 

The version on Let It Be but speeded up to normal pitch.

 

Anthology 2.

 

Since that thread is closed, the results aren't visible to anyone who didn't vote in the earlier poll.

As for this poll, I could have voted for any version and been happy, but I went with Let It Be ... Naked.

 

Let It Be, '70. I want the background "ah"s, without the teenage girls. Sans the Wildlife version (for me), they're all exquisite, though ~ newly heard Take 6 included.

 

Any version with anything but the natural speed is a big mistake, in my opinion.

(And the Munchkin background vocals should be against the law -- again, in my opinion.)

 

"Let It Be"- 100 votes (33.4%)
"Let It Be Naked"- 70 votes (23.4%)
"Anthology 2"- 66 votes (22.1%)
"Wildlife Fund"- 63 votes (21.1%)

The best seller/ most well known version (also the one most folks encounter/encountered first) is the predictable winner - for the aforementioned reasons...

But well distributed love for all of the versions...

 

WA50. The purest of them all.

 

The only version I really enjoy is the Anthology 2 version.

The Let It Be version sounds like the musical equivalent of a heroin stupor.

 

Neither. Never really got the praise.

Forgot that's on the box!

Me too.

 

My main preference is for the late psychedelic era versions- although still like the Let It Be version.

Anthology 2 and Wildlife Fund are good but my one preferred version is "Hums Wild"- the "Oms" give it more spiritual feel.

 

Let It Be cause Spector's string arrangement elevates this one.

Also enjoy one of the full band versions with wah wah guitar from the Nagras

 

Unpopular opinion probably...but the Let It Be version has always been my favorite. I actually prefer the lower key/pitch and the added elements to it(!). Also enjoy the 1969 Wildlife Fund/Past Masters version...could do without those backing vocals though (sorry Apple Scruffs )

 

I had a boot The Black Album, so cool, got stolen sadly. Anyway it had a complete band version of ATU with wah wah , but a nice Paul harmony throughout. On the ja guru dey va bit, jPG do a very wonderful three part harmony. That alone makes it my fave.

 

This one has the cool Paul harmony on the "jai guru"s ~ most of his other harmonies on it fall flat (he's improvising, of course), but the gusto he brings shows he obviously has lots of affection for the song....



I think there was a legit Let It Be arrangement in there, too bad they didn't stay at it....