Song Clearance Sheet
5 sources citedCome Together
Rock1960s164BPM
UnconfirmedKey
More around 160 BPM → · More “Cleared After Dispute” →
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The verdict
Cleared After Dispute
A real settlement with Morris Levy over a borrowed Chuck Berry (“You Can’t Catch Me”) line — notable for its non-monetary structure: rather than cash, Lennon agreed to record three songs from Levy’s catalog on a future album (fulfilled, chaotically, via the Phil Spector-plagued “Rock ’n’ Roll” sessions).
Quick Facts
Released1969
AlbumAbbey Road
GenreRock, Blues Rock
LabelApple Records
ProducerGeorge Martin
Recorded atAbbey Road Studios, London
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — John Lennon (Lennon–McCartney)
Collider → · checked Jul 2026
Morris Levy / Big Seven Music — Settled for three recorded songs from his catalog, not cash
Todayifoundout → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
A #1 standard; notable for its non-monetary settlement — Lennon recorded three of Levy’s catalog songs instead of paying cash (the chaotic Phil Spector-plagued “Rock ’n’ Roll” sessions).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Lennon reportedly settled fast to avoid Harrison’s drawn-out case (this batch)
Both are Chuck Berry-derived disputes (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)John Lennon (credited Lennon–McCartney)
A genuinely unusual, non-monetary settlementMorris Levy — who owned the publishing to Berry’s song (not Berry himself) — sued Lennon, EMI, Capitol and Apple over the borrowed line and melodic similarity. Rather than a cash payment, the Oct 12, 1973 settlement required Lennon to record three specific songs from Levy’s own Big Seven Music catalog on his next studio album, with an appropriate share of proceeds to Levy — a genuinely unusual, in-kind settlement structure.
A connection to “My Sweet Lord”Per one account, Lennon may have chosen to settle quickly rather than risk the kind of extended litigation George Harrison endured in the “My Sweet Lord”/“He’s So Fine” case (this batch).
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A chaotic complication fulfilling the settlement
Lennon began the required covers album (“Rock ’n’ Roll”) with volatile producer Phil Spector — who, during a documented meltdown, fired a gun into the studio ceiling and then vanished with the master tapes, forcing Lennon to release “Walls and Bridges” first instead. “Rock ’n’ Roll” was finally completed in 1975, fulfilling the settlement.
Wikipedia (Rock ’n’ Roll album) · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
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Times sampled
Settled with three recorded songs, not cash
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
CT
John Lennon (Northern Songs)
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 23)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass