A Beginning (song)

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Album This song officially appears on the Anthology 3 Official album.

Timeline This song has been officially released in 1996

7 a.m.

A Case Of The Blues

Master release

The Beatles

By The Beatles

Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions

Recording "Don't Pass Me By", "Good Night"

Jul 22, 1968

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Song facts

“A Beginning” is an orchestral score arranged by George Martin. It was written with the intention to serve as an introduction to Ringo Starr’s song “Don’t Pass Me By, released on The White Album in 1968. It was finally decided not to use it, and it was given the name “A Beginning” when released for the first time on the “Anthology 3” album in 1996.

According to “The Beatles” Super Deluxe edition book (2018), a different recording of part of this score was heard during The Beatles’ animation film “Yellow Submarine“. This recording must have predated the recording session of the White Album (July 22, 1968), as the film was premiered on July 17.

Variations

A Short version • From "Anthology 3"

A2016 Short version. 2016 remaster • From "Anthology 3 (2016 remaster)"

B Full take 4 • From "The Beatles (50th anniversary boxset)"

Officially appears on

Anthology 3

Official album • Released in 1996

0:50 • Outtake • A • Stereo • Designed as an introduction to Ringo's composition Don't Pass Me By, this George Martin orchestral arrangement - soaring flutes, harps, violins, violas, cellos, clarinets, bass and other instruments - has remained unissued until now. This piece was recorded during the session that fashioned the orchestral overdub for Good Night, the closing track on The Beatles (better known as the White Album), and utilised the same musicians.

George Martin :: Producer

Ken Scott :: Recording engineer

Unknown musician(s) :: Clarinet, Double bass, French horn, Harp, Three cellos, Three flutes, Three violas, Twelve violins, Vibraphone

Session Recording:: Jul 22, 1968

Studio :: EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Anthology 3 (2016 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2016

0:50 • Outtake • A2016 • Stereo • Designed as an introduction to Ringo's composition Don't Pass Me By, this George Martin orchestral arrangement - soaring flutes, harps, violins, violas, cellos, clarinets, bass and other instruments - has remained unissued until now. This piece was recorded during the session that fashioned the orchestral overdub for Good Night, the closing track on The Beatles (better known as the White Album), and utilised the same musicians.

George Martin :: Producer

Ken Scott :: Recording engineer

Unknown musician(s) :: Clarinet, Double bass, French horn, Harp, Three cellos, Three flutes, Three violas, Twelve violins, Vibraphone

Session Recording:: Jul 22, 1968

Studio :: EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

The Beatles (50th anniversary boxset)

Official album • Released in 2018

5:05 • Outtake • B • Take 4. Medley with "Don’t Pass Me By (Take 7)"

Unknown musician(s) :: Clarinet, Double bass, French horn, Harp, Three cellos, Three flutes, Three violas, Twelve violins, Vibraphone

Session Recording:: Jul 22, 1968

Studio :: EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

A Beginning