"Free as a Bird" was recorded by Lennon in 1977, in his and Ono's Dakota building apartment in New York City, but was not complete.
It was released as a single in the UK on 4 December 1995, two weeks after its appearance on the Anthology 1 album.
"Free as a Bird" was one of two such songs (along with "Real Love") for which McCartney, Harrison, and Starr contributed additional instrumentation, vocals, and arrangements.
"Free as a Bird" was premiered on BBC Radio 1 in the early hours of 20 November 1995.
"Free as a Bird" won the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.