Lost in Lennon: The Bizarre Beatles Track That Vanished Without a Trace—Even John Forgot He Wrote It
In a band as meticulously documented as The Beatles, it’s almost unthinkable that a song could slip through the cracks—let alone one that John Lennon himself didn’t remember creating. Yet that’s exactly the case with a mysterious rocker that briefly surfaced during the band’s later years, only to vanish quietly into the depths of Beatles lore. Fans, historians, and even the surviving Beatles have puzzled over its origins and disappearance, with Lennon famously admitting, “It’s the most weird song. I’ve no recollection of ever recording it.”
The track in question—rarely heard outside bootlegs and archival deep-dives—is a raucous, bluesy number that doesn’t quite fit within the polished Beatles canon. Its lyrics veer toward the absurd, with cryptic references and a frenzied vocal delivery that more closely resembles Lennon’s raw solo material than the group’s collaborative style. While it’s difficult to pin down the exact session in which it was recorded, some experts place it during the chaotic “White Album” period—a time when tensions in the band were high and the recording process had become increasingly fragmented.
Lennon’s disavowal of the song adds to its mystique. Beatles producer George Martin allegedly didn’t include it in final album considerations, calling it “unfocused and out of place.” Others speculate that Lennon may have been under the influence during the recording, which could explain both its surreal tone and his subsequent amnesia regarding its creation.
Bootleg versions of the track have circulated for decades under various names—some calling it “What’s the New Mary Jane,” others simply labeling it “Untitled Lennon Jam.” The version that fans know today is rough and unpolished, lacking the signature harmonies and production finesse of most Beatles releases. Still, its raw energy and bizarre charm have won it a cult following, especially among those fascinated by the band’s more experimental side.
Though never officially released on any of the original Beatles studio albums, the song was eventually included in the *Anthology* collections, offering curious fans a glimpse into the band’s darker, weirder underbelly. For some, it’s a throwaway oddity; for others, it’s a tantalizing peek at the musical risks Lennon was willing to take—even if he couldn’t quite remember ta
king them.