The Beatles first single of 1968 found the group returning to an almost fifties-flavored rock 'n' roll sound with this McCartney-sung song Lady Madonna. Despite the fact that John had recently recorded Across The Universe (which was slated to be the A-side of this single), Lady Madonna was chosen at the last minute instead.

This piano thumping, Elvis-type sung song did very well overall on the charts. However, the record buying public may have thought this song was too simplistic after 1967 and the psychedelic sounds of the Summer Of Love. As a result, Lady Madonna didn't quite make number one on any of the three record charts. The B-side, George Harrison's transcendental The Inner Light was only charted by Billboard charting as high as number ninety-six.