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UK Release date : Nov 22, 1968

The Beatles (Stereo)

By The BeatlesLP • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The original UK LPs

Last updated on November 23, 2024


Details

  • UK release date: Friday, November 22, 1968
  • US release date: Monday, November 25, 1968
  • Publisher: Apple Records
  • Reference: PCS 7067/8 (UK) - SWBO 101 (US)

Timeline

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This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:

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Track list

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Side 1

  1. Back in the U.S.S.R.

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:44 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Piano, Vocals John Lennon : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion George Harrison : Backing vocals, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Six-string bass guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Aug 22, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 23, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  2. Dear Prudence

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:56 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Flugelhorn, Handclaps, Piano John Lennon : Backing vocals, Guitar, Tambourine, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Mal Evans : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Tambourine Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Jackie Lomax : Backing vocals, Handclaps John McCartney : Backing vocals, Handclaps

    SessionRecording : Aug 28, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 29, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 30, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionMixing : Oct 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  3. Glass Onion

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:18 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Recorder Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Producer, Recorder Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Underwood : Viola Eldon Fox : Cello Eric Bowie : Violin Henry Datyner : Violin Reginald Kilbey : Cello Norman Lederman : Violin Ronald Thomas : Violin Keith Cummings : Viola

    SessionRecording : Sep 11, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Sep 12, 13, 16 - 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionString overdubs : Oct 10, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 10, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

  4. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:09 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass part on distorted acoustic guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Vocals Ringo Starr : Conga drum, Drums, Handclaps, Maracas, Percussion John Lennon : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Piano George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Handclaps George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Rex Morris : Saxophone James Gray : Saxophone Cyril Reuben : Saxophone

    SessionRecording : Jul 08, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jul 09, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jul 15, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 12, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  5. Wild Honey Pie

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    0:53 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Drums, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Aug 20, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 20, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  6. The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:14 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Backing vocals, Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals George Martin : Producer Yoko Ono : Backing vocals, Vocals Chris Thomas : Mellotron Ken Scott : Recording engineer Maureen Cox / Starkey : Backing vocals

    SessionRecording : Oct 08, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 08, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 09, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

  7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

    Written by George Harrison

    4:45 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Maracas, Tambourine John Lennon : Bass guitar George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Hammond organ, Vocals George Martin : Producer Eric Clapton : Lead guitar Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Sep 05, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Sep 06, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 14, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  8. Happiness Is A Warm Gun

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:45 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Lead vocal, Organ George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead electric guitar Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Sep 24, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Sep 25, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 15, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  9. Martha My Dear

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:29 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Handclaps, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Electric guitar George Martin : Producer Tony Tunstall : French horn Leo Birnbaum : Viola Leon Calvert : Flugelhorn, Trumpet Reginald Kilbey : Cello Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Bernard Miller : Violin Dennis McConnell : Violin Lou Sofier : Violin Les Maddox : Violin Henry Myerscough : Viola Frederick Alexander : Cello Stanley Reynolds : Trumpet Ronnie Hughes : Trumpet Ted Barker : Trombone Alf Reece : Tuba

    SessionRecording : Oct 04, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 05, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionMixing : Oct 05, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

  10. I'm So Tired

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:04 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Oct 08, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 15, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  11. Blackbird

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:18 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Foot taps, Lead vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Jun 11, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  12. Piggies

    Written by George Harrison

    2:04 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Harmony vocals Ringo Starr : Kick drum, Tambourine John Lennon : Harmony vocals, Tape loops George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Harpsichord, Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Underwood : Viola Eldon Fox : Cello Eric Bowie : Violin Henry Datyner : Violin Reginald Kilbey : Cello Norman Lederman : Violin Ronald Thomas : Violin Keith Cummings : Viola

    SessionRecording : Sep 19, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Sep 20, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 10, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 11, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  13. Rocky Raccoon

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:33 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Accordion, Backing vocals, Harmonica, Six-string bass George Harrison : Backing vocals George Martin : Piano, Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Aug 15, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 15, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 10, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

  14. Don't Pass Me By

    Written by Ringo Starr

    3:51 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Drums, Piano Ringo Starr : Percussion, Piano, Sleigh bell, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Jack Fallon : Violin

    SessionRecording : Jun 05, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jun 06, Jun 12, Jul 22, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 11, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  15. Why Don't We Do It In The Road?

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    1:41 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Handclaps, Lead guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps Ken Townsend : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Oct 09, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 10, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 16-17, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

  16. I Will

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    1:46 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : 'sung bass', Acoustic guitars, Backing vocal, Lead vocal Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Maracas, Skulls Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Sep 16, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Sep 17, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 14, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  17. Julia

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:57 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Oct 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Side 2

  1. Birthday

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:43 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass guitar, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps John Lennon : Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar, Tambourine Mal Evans : Handclaps Yoko Ono : Backing vocals Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Pattie Boyd / Harrison : Backing vocals

    SessionRecording : Sep 18, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Sep 18, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Sep 18, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  2. Yer Blues

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    4:01 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Aug 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 14, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 20, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Aug 20, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

  3. Mother Nature's Son

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:48 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitars, Bass drum, Percussion, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Unknown : Two trombones, Two trumpets

    SessionRecording : Aug 09, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 20, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 12, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  4. Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:25 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hand bell, Maracas Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Jun 27, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jul 01, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jul 23, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 12, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  5. Sexy Sadie

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:15 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Guitar, Hammond organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Tambourine George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Aug 13, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Aug 21, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 14, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  6. Helter Skelter

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    4:30 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Electric guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Piano, Tenor saxophone George Harrison : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Mal Evans : Trumpet Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Sep 09, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Sep 10, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 12, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  7. Long, Long, Long

    Written by George Harrison

    3:06 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hammond organ Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Acoustic guitars, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Piano Ken Scott : Recording engineer

    SessionRecording : Oct 07, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 08, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 09, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 14, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  8. Revolution I

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    4:16 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hammond organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Yoko Ono : Backing vocals, Electronic sound effects Derek Watkins : Trumpet Freddy Clayton : Trumpet Rex Morris : Trombone Peter Bown : Recording engineer Francie Schwartz : Backing vocals Don Lang : Trombone J. Power : Trombone Bill Povey : Trombone

    SessionRecording : May 30, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : May 31 & Jun 4, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jun 21, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Jun 25, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  9. Honey Pie

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    2:41 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Dennis Walton : Saxophone Rex Morris : Saxophone Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Ronald Chamberlain : Saxophone Jim Chester : Saxophone Harry Klein : Saxophone Raymond Newman : Clarinet David Smith : Clarinet

    SessionRecording : Oct 01, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 02, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 04, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionMixing : Oct 05, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

  10. Savoy Truffle

    Written by George Harrison

    2:55 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Paul McCartney : Bass guitar, Bongos, Harmony vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine George Harrison : Lead guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Electric piano, Organ Ken Scott : Recording engineer Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Harry Klein : Baritone saxophone Art Ellefson : Tenor saxophone Danny Moss : Tenor saxophone Derek Collins : Tenor saxophone Ronnie Ross : Baritone saxophone Bernard George : Baritone saxophone

    SessionRecording : Oct 03, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 05, 1968Studio : Trident Studios, London, UK

    SessionOverdubs : Oct 11, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs & mixing : Oct 14, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  11. Medley

    1. Cry Baby Cry

      Written by Lennon - McCartney

      2:44 • Studio versionA • Stereo

      Paul McCartney : Bass, Guitar, Piano, Whistling Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Piano, Vocals, Whistling George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Harmonium, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer

      SessionRecording : Jul 16, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

      SessionOverdubs : Jul 18, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

      SessionOverdubs : Sep 17, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

      SessionMixing : Oct 15, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    2. Can You Take Me Back

      Written by Lennon - McCartney

      2:22 • Studio versionB • Stereo

      Paul McCartney : Vocals Ringo Starr : Maracas John Lennon : Percussion Giles Martin : Mixing engineer, Producer Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Engineer

      SessionRecording : Sep 16, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

      SessionMixing : Oct 16-17, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

  12. Revolution 9

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    8:22 • Studio versionA • Stereo

    John Lennon : Effects, Producer, Samples, Tape loops, Vocals George Harrison : Samples, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Yoko Ono : Effects, Samples, Vocals

    SessionRecording : May 30, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jun 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Jun 21, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Jun 25, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

  13. Good Night

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:14 • Studio versionB • Stereo

    Ringo Starr : Vocals George Martin : Celesta, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Pat Whitmore : Backing vocals Irene King : Backing vocals Fred Lucas : Backing vocals Mike Redway : Backing vocals Peter Bown : Recording engineer Ingrid Thomas : Backing vocals Val Stockwell : Backing vocals Ross Gilmour : Backing vocals Ken Barrie : Backing vocals Unknown : Clarinet, Double bass, French horn, Harp, Three cellos, Three flutes, Three violas, Twelve violins, Vibraphone The Mike Sammes Singers : Backing vocals

    SessionRecording : Jul 22, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Jul 22, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Oct 11, 1968Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


I think it was a very good album. It stood up, but it wasn’t a pleasant one to make. Then again, sometimes those things work for your art. The fact that it’s got so much on it is one of the things that’s cool about it. The songs are very varied. I think it’s a fine album.

I don’t remember the reaction. Now I release records and I watch to see who likes it and how it does. But with The Beatles, I can’t ever remember scouring the charts to see what number it had come in at. I assume we hoped that people would like it. We just put it out and got on with life. A lot of our friends liked it and that was mainly what we were concerned with. If your mates liked it, the boutiques played it and it was played wherever you went – that was a sign of success for us.

Paul McCartney – From “The Beatles Anthology” book, 2000

Now John had to have Yoko there. I can’t blame him, they were intensely in love – in the first throes of the first passions – but it was fairly off-putting having her sitting on one of the amps. You wanted to say, ‘Excuse me, love – can I turn the volume up?’ We were always wondering how to say: ‘Could you get off my amp?’ without interfering with their relationship.

It was a very difficult time. I felt that when John finally left the group he did it to clear the decks for his relationship. Anything prior to that meant the decks weren’t clear – he had all his Beatle baggage; all his having to relate to us. He just wanted to go off into the corner and look into Yoko’s eyes for hours, saying to each other, ‘It’s going to be all right.’ It was pretty freaky when we were trying to make a track.

Looking at it now you can be amused by it, and it was quite a laugh, really. But at the time, this was us and it was our careers. We were The Beatles, after all, and here was this girl… It was like we were her courtiers, and it was very embarrassing. The White Album was a very tense one to make.

Paul McCartney – From “The Beatles Anthology” book, 2000

I wrote quite a few songs in Rishikesh and John came up with some creative stuff. George actually once got quite annoyed and told me off because I was trying to think of the next album. He said, ‘We’re not fucking here to do the next album, we’re here to meditate!’ It was like, ‘Ohh, excuse me for breathing!’ You know. George was quite strict about that, George can still be a little that way, and it’s like, ‘Oh come on, George, you don’t have a monopoly on thought in this area. I’m allowed to have my own views on the matter.’

I was doing a song, I Will, that I had as a melody for quite a long time but I didn’t have lyrics to it. I remember sitting around with Donovan, and maybe a couple of other people. We were just sitting around one evening after our day of meditation and I played him this one and he liked it and we were trying to write some words. We kicked around a few lyrics, something about the moon, but they weren’t very satisfactory and I thought the melody was better than the words so I didn’t use them. I kept searching for better words and I wrote my own set in the end.

Paul McCartney – From “Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now” by Barry Miles, 1997

From The Guardian – November 19, 1968
Paul McCartney writing

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