UK Release date : Friday, February 21, 1969
By The Fourmost • 7" Single • Part of the collection “Paul McCartney as producer, composer, or session musician in the 60s”
Last updated on April 14, 2025
Previous single Dec 20, 1968 • "The Beatles 1968 Christmas Record" by The Beatles released in the UK
Album Feb 17, 1969 • "James Taylor (Stereo)" by James Taylor released in the US
Article February 21 to August 1969 • The Beatles fight for NEMS / Nemperor
Single Feb 21, 1969 • "Rosetta / Just Like Before" by The Fourmost released in the UK
Album Feb 21, 1969 • "Post Card (UK version - Stereo)" by Mary Hopkin released in the UK
Session Feb 22, 1969 • Recording "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
Next single Mar 07, 1969 • "Lontano Dagli Occhi / The Game" by Mary Hopkin released globally
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Early February 1969
Written by Earl Hines, William Henri Woode
2:11 • Studio version • A • Mono
Paul McCartney : Piano, ProducerPerformed by : Brian O'Hara • Billy Hatton • Dave Lovelady • Ian Edwards
Session Recording: Early February 1969 • Studio Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London
Written by Brian O'Hara
2:30 • Studio version • A • Mono
Paul McCartney : ProducerPerformed by : Brian O'Hara • Billy Hatton • Dave Lovelady • Ian Edwards
Session Recording: Early February 1969 • Studio Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London
The Fourmost was an English Merseybeat band managed by Brian Epstein during the 1960s. In 1963, they had recorded two original Lennon-McCartney compositions given to them: “Hello Little Girl” and “I’m In Love.”
In early 1969, Paul McCartney reconnected with the group and suggested they record the jazz standard “Rosetta.” Shortly after the “Get Back” sessions, Paul produced their version of the track, also contributing piano to the recording. During the same session, he produced the B-side titled “Just Like Before.”
HOLLIES, DAVE DEE SET, McCartney waxes Fourmost
[…] Paul McCartney has produced the latest single by the Fourmost. […] The Fourmost revive the old jazz classic “Rosetta” for their next CBS single. It comes out on February 21, and was produced by Beatle Paul McCartney.
From New Musical Express, February 8, 1969
PAUL’S ROSETTA
Not too many weeks ago Paul took up with a new girlfriend, Rosetta. You might say she was a very old flame, for Rosetta is the title of an old jazz standard which Paul “re-discovered” and felt would be just right for the Liverpudlian group The Fourmost. He called Fourmost leader Brian O’Hara with the suggestion that Rosetta be considered for the group’s new single on CBS.
This led to Paul not only attending The Fourmost session but producing the finished single which was released on February 21. That’s not really the end of the McCartney involvement because Paul’s Scaffolder brother Mike has been taking a personal interest in the plugging of the disc, taking copies to deejay mates and telling them how highly he thinks of The Fourmost and their new 1969 chances of hitting the Top 20 jackpot with Rosetta!
From the Beatles Monthly Book, N°68, March 1969
CONNOLY’s DISCS – a Review of the New Pops
Rosetta: The Fourmost (CBS). — Producer Paul McCartney gets another chance to indulge his fascination with the musical corn of the twenties and thirties. (If he’s lucky he may get the opportunity to record the Bachelors and Donald Peers some day.) In this particular case I don’t think the treatment has really worked — not half so well as on Mary Hopkin’s Love Is the Sweetest Thing, anyway — and although the Fourmost are adequate, the song isn’t.
From Evening Standard – February 18, 1969
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