On February 9, 2014, CBS aired The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles, a star-studded tribute to the legendary band. The special featured an array of iconic artists performing the Beatles’ timeless hits, including Stevie Wonder’s rendition of “We Can Work It Out,” Eurythmics’ take on “The Fool on the Hill,” Ed Sheeran’s heartfelt performance of “In My Life,” and Katy Perry’s emotional cover of “Yesterday.” The event also included appearances by Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, who joined in celebrating the band’s enduring legacy.
The concert was filmed on January 27, 2014, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, just one day after the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Throughout the evening, artists collaborated on memorable Beatles covers, such as John Mayer and Keith Urban teaming up for “Don’t Let Me Down,” Brad Paisley and Pharrell Williams delivering a vibrant version of “Here Comes the Sun,” and Jeff Lynne and Dave Grohl rocking out to “Hey Bulldog.”
One of the night’s standout moments came when Jeff Lynne, joined by Joe Walsh and Dhani Harrison—son of the late George Harrison—performed the Beatles’ classic “Something.” Written by George Harrison for the band’s 1969 album Abbey Road, “Something” was originally released as a double A-side single alongside “Come Together.” Both tracks soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where they held the top spot for a week.
Reflecting on the Beatles’ profound influence, Lynne shared, “The Beatles changed my life. Back in 1968, when I was recording my first album, I was miraculously invited to Abbey Road Studios to watch them record. I couldn’t believe it—I still don’t know how I got in there! I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t sleep for days. They had this incredible aura about them.” He added, “I never imagined I’d one day work with them, let alone produce their music. It’s the greatest honor of my career.”
“Something” holds a special place in the Beatles’ catalog. Written during the sessions for The White Album, the song was partially inspired by George Harrison’s then-wife, Pattie Boyd, and his exploration of Krishna consciousness. It was one of only two tracks on Abbey Road solely penned by Harrison, the other being “Here Comes the Sun.” Harrison first recorded a demo of “Something” on February 25, 1969—his 26th birthday. The song’s title and opening line were reportedly influenced by James Taylor’s 1968 track “Something in the Way She Moves.” Initially intended for Apple Records artist Jackie Lomax, the song was later recorded by Joe Cocker, though his version wasn’t released until a month after Abbey Road hit the shelves.
Among all the tracks on Abbey Road, John Lennon considered “Something” his personal favorite. In 1969, Harrison modestly remarked, “The lyrics aren’t anything extraordinary. I have many songs like that in my head—I just need to get them down. Some people tell me ‘Something’ is one of the best things I’ve ever written. I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s very flattering. It’s probably the nicest melody I’ve ever composed.”
