Special guest

A notable musician outside the core Beatles lineup made a significant performing contribution

songs

Nineteen Beatles recordings bring in a guest, from 1966 to 1970. 'Yellow Submarine' came first, on Revolver, and 'Let It Be' last, on the Let It Be album, with the Let It Be album leaning on it hardest, seven of its twelve tracks. The singing splits John on eight, Paul on three, George on two and Ringo on one. On 'Don't Let Me Down', single credited 'The Beatles with Billy Preston'. On 'You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)' it is Brian Jones, Rolling Stones.

The 'Special guest' personnel quirk first surfaces in 1966 and then recurs on 18 songs through 1970; it appears on no earlier Beatles record.

Analysis

Song count per year

% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)

Early0 · 0%

Mid-period4 · 21%

Late15 · 79%

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Year

Album

Writer

Lead vocal(s)

#	Title	Year	Album	Lead Vocal(s)	Notes
1	Yellow Submarine	1966	Revolver	Ringo	carries a guest-musician credit
2	All You Need Is Love	1967	Magical Mystery Tour	John	carries a guest-musician credit
3	Baby, You're a Rich Man	1967	Magical Mystery Tour	John	Mick Jagger backing vocals
4	I Am the Walrus	1967	Magical Mystery Tour	John	carries a guest-musician credit
5	Revolution	1968	Past Masters	John	carries a guest-musician credit
6	Dear Prudence	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	John	-
7	While My Guitar Gently Weeps	1968	The Beatles (The White Album)	George	Eric Clapton

8	Don't Let Me Down	1969	Past Masters	John, Paul	Single credited 'The Beatles with Billy Preston'
9	Get Back	1969	Let It Be	Paul	Credited as 'with Billy Preston'
10	I Want You (She's So Heavy)	1969	Abbey Road	John	carries a guest-musician credit
11	Something	1969	Abbey Road	George	Billy Preston on Hammond
12	Let It Be	1970	Let It Be	Paul	carries a guest-musician credit
13	You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)	1970	Past Masters	John, Paul	Brian Jones, Rolling Stones
14	Dig a Pony	1970	Let It Be	John	carries a guest-musician credit
15	Dig It	1970	Let It Be	John	carries a guest-musician credit
16	I've Got a Feeling	1970	Let It Be	Paul, John	carries a guest-musician credit
17	One After 909	1970	Let It Be	John, Paul	carries a guest-musician credit
18	The Long and Winding Road	1970	Let It Be	Paul	carries a guest-musician credit
19	Free as a Bird	1995	Reunion singles	John, Paul, George	Lennon present via 1977 cassette