Recording "Que Sera Sera", "Fields of St. Etienne" #1

On July 6 or July 13, 1969, Mary Hopkin started the recording of her new single, produced by Paul McCartney.

Mary’s first two Apple singles, “Those Were The Days” and “Goodbye,” had both been hits. For her third single, Paul McCartney — who had produced the previous singles as well as her first album — suggested she record the Doris Day classic “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).” Although Mary was not particularly enthusiastic about the choice, she agreed to record it.

For the B-side, she recorded “Fields of St. Etienne,” written by Graham Lyle and Benny Gallagher, two songwriters signed to Apple Publishing. It was the second song she recorded from the Lyle-Gallagher songwriting team that year, following “Sparrow.”

On this day, August 17, 1969, further work on the single took place at Abbey Road.

It remains unclear how the work on “Que Sera Sera” and “Fields of St. Etienne” was divided between the July 6 or 13 session and the August 17 session, or whether any additional sessions were required.

Session activities

1. Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)

   Written by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans

   Recording

2. Fields Of St. Etienne

   Written by Graham Lyle, Benny Gallagher

   Recording

Staff

Musicians on "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)"

Musicians on "Fields Of St. Etienne"

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