Mixing "Across The Universe"

During the recording of “Across The Universe” in February 1968, John Lennon was so dissatisfied by the end result that he didn’t want the song to be released at all. But interestingly, there was a guest in the recording studio.

The legendary comedian and ex-Goon Spike Milligan (who was one of John’s idols) happened to be at the session that night as a guest of George Martin’s. He was so impressed with what he was hearing that he asked Lennon if the track, in its current state, could be used for to help raise funds for a charity he was involved in. A distracted, aggrieved John simply said, ‘Yeah, whatever,’ and that’s how ‘Across The Universe’ came to be released on a charity record for the World Wildlife Foundation.

Geoff Emerick – From “Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles“, 2006 – Quoted in beatlesebooks.com

On this day, in a session lasting from 9:30 am to 11 am, George Martin prepared new stereo mixes from the February 1968 recordings. Two mixes were done, one without sound effects and one with birds, children and galloping horses. Those mixes were also sped up. Without the effects, the song was 3’37” long at normal speed. With the effects and sped up, the new mix lasted 3’47”.

Remix 2 was released on the charity LP, “No One’s Gonna Change Our World“, released in December 1969 in the UK.

Session activities

1. Across The Universe

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 1 from take 8

2. Across The Universe

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 2 from take 8

Staff

Production staff

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