The Beatles (Stereo)

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

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

Master release


Related sessions

This album has been recorded during the following studio sessions






































Recording "Piggies"

Sep 19, 1968


Recording "Piggies"

Sep 20, 1968





Recording "Honey Pie"

Oct 02, 1968














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Track list

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

Session Recording:
Aug 22, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Aug 23, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 13, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Aug 28, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Aug 29, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Aug 30, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Oct 13, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 11, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

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

Session String overdubs:
Oct 10, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 10, 1968
Studio :
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 (?)
Ronnie Scott :
Saxophone (?)
Unknown musician(s) :
Saxophone

Session Recording:
Jul 08, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jul 09, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jul 15, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 12, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Aug 20, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Aug 20, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 13, 1968
Studio :
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 Starkey :
Backing vocals

Session Recording:
Oct 08, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Oct 08, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 09, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 05, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Sep 06, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 14, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 24, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Sep 25, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 15, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Oct 04, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Oct 05, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Oct 05, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Oct 08, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 15, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Jun 11, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 13, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 19, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Sep 20, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Oct 10, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 11, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Aug 15, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Aug 15, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 10, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Jun 05, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

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

Session Mixing:
Oct 11, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Oct 09, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Oct 10, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 16-17, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 16, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Sep 17, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 14, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Oct 13, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 13, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 18, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Sep 18, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Sep 18, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Aug 13, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Aug 14, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Aug 20, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Aug 20, 1968
Studio :
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 musician(s) :
Two trombones, Two trumpets

Session Recording:
Aug 09, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Aug 20, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 12, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Jun 27, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jul 01, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jul 23, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 12, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Aug 13, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Aug 21, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 14, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 09, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Sep 10, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 12, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Oct 07, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Oct 08, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Oct 09, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 14, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
May 30, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

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

Session Overdubs:
Jun 21, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 25, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Oct 01, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Oct 02, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Oct 04, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Oct 05, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Oct 03, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Oct 05, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Oct 11, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs & mixing:
Oct 14, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Jul 16, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jul 18, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Sep 17, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 15, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
Sep 16, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 16-17, 1968
Studio :
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

Session Recording:
May 30, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

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

Session Mixing:
Jun 21, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 25, 1968
Studio :
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 musician(s) :
Clarinet, Double bass, French horn, Harp, Three cellos, Three flutes, Three violas, Twelve violins, Vibraphone
The Mike Sammes Singers :
Backing vocals

Session Recording:
Jul 22, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jul 22, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 11, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

About

Paul McCartney, in the Anthology book:

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.

[…]

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 in "Many Years From Now", by Barry Miles:

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.

Last updated on May 16, 2017

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