John Lennon gives deposition in Come Together lawsuit

John Lennon gave a deposition in the case of Big Seven Music Corporation v Maclen Music Inc, Northern Songs Ltd and Apple Records Inc on 24 December 1970.

The lawsuit (U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, Civ. Action No. 1348/70) was brought against Lennon due to the similarity between The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’ and Chuck Berry’s 1956 song ‘You Can’t Catch Me’; both songs contain the lines “Here come old flat-top”, and bear a musical similarity.

Lennon’s deposition was made under oath in his suite at the Regency Hotel in New York City, to the plaintiff’s attorneys, Feinman and
Krasilovsky. Lennon declared himself the sole composer of ‘Come Together’, and acknowledged his familiarity with Berry’s song.

Yes, ever since I was in my teens I was acquainted with the works of Chuck Berry, whom I consider one of the original rock and roll poets. I heard his recording of ‘You Can’t Catch Me’ at this time and spent many hours in generally listening to his
general catalogue.