Free as a Bird
"Free as a Bird" was greeted with mixed reviews. Its release was criticised by Caroline Sullivan in "The Guardian" as a publicity gimmick, exploiting the Beatles brand, and owing less to the Beatles than to Lynne. Andy Gill in "The Independent" called the song "disappointingly low-key. ... George's guitar weeps gently enough when required, but the overall effect is of a dirge." Ian MacDonald, writer of "Revolution in the Head", declared it to be a "dreary song" that stood no comparison with the Beatles' sixties music. Chris Carter, now the host of "Breakfast with the Beatles", commented: "I would value any song (especially if it was great) performed by John, Paul, George and Ringo, no matter how (or when) it was recorded." "Free as a Bird" later won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.