CBS aired The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles on February 9, 2014, celebrating the legendary band with a star-studded lineup of performances. The tribute featured artists like Stevie Wonder with We Can Work It Out, Eurythmics performing The Fool on the Hill, Ed Sheeran’s rendition of In My Life, and Katy Perry’s take on Yesterday. The event also included appearances by Beatles legends Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Filmed on January 27, 2014, at the Los Angeles Convention Center—just a day after the 56th Annual Grammy Awards—the concert brought together various artists to honor the Beatles’ legacy. John Mayer and Keith Urban teamed up for Don’t Let Me Down, while Brad Paisley and Pharrell Williams performed Here Comes the Sun. Jeff Lynne and Dave Grohl delivered a powerful rendition of Hey Bulldog, adding to the night’s electric atmosphere.
One of the evening’s standout moments came when Jeff Lynne joined forces with Joe Walsh and Dhani Harrison, son of George Harrison, to perform the timeless Beatles ballad Something. Originally written by Harrison for the band’s 1969 album Abbey Road, Something was released as a double A-side single alongside Come Together. The song quickly soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing its place as one of the band’s most cherished hits.
Jeff Lynne’s Connection to the Beatles
Before taking the stage, Jeff Lynne reflected on how deeply the Beatles influenced his life.
“The Beatles changed my life,” Lynne shared. “Back in 1968, when I was recording my first album, I was somehow lucky enough to be invited to Abbey Road Studios to watch them work. I couldn’t believe it—I didn’t even know how I got in. I didn’t sleep for days after that. They had this incredible aura about them.”
Lynne, who later worked with members of the Beatles, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. “I never imagined I’d get the chance to work with them, let alone produce for them,” he said. “It’s the greatest thrill of my career.”
The Story Behind Something
Following Come Together on Abbey Road, Something emerges as a heartfelt piece inspired by Harrison’s then-wife, Pattie Boyd, and his exploration of Krishna consciousness. It was one of two songs penned solely by Harrison on the album, alongside Here Comes the Sun, and was originally conceived during sessions for The White Album.
Harrison recorded the first demo of Something on his 26th birthday, February 25, 1969. Its opening line was reportedly inspired by James Taylor’s Something in the Way She Moves, released in 1968. Initially, Harrison had intended the song for Jackie Lomax’s album Is This What You Want?, which he co-produced. Joe Cocker also recorded a version, though it was released a month after Abbey Road debuted.
Among all the tracks on Abbey Road, John Lennon once named Something as his favorite.
Reflecting on the song’s impact, Harrison remained humble about its reception. “The words don’t mean much, really,” he said in 1969. “I have a lot of songs like that in my head—I just need to write them down. Some people say Something is the best thing I’ve ever written. Maybe they’re right, maybe they’re wrong. But it’s flattering. I think it’s probably the nicest melody I’ve ever written.”
