Recording studio: EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Article August 1969 • The “Get Back” LP rumours – August 1969
Session Aug 01, 1969 • Recording "Because"
Session Aug 02, 1969 • Recording "Come And Get It"
Session Aug 04, 1969 • Recording "Because", mixing "Something", "Here Comes The Sun"
Session Aug 05, 1969 • Recording "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Because", "The End"
Some of the songs worked on during this session were first released on the "Magic Christian Music" LP.
On July 24, 1969, Paul McCartney had recorded a demo version of his song “Come And Get It“. On this day, he produced the studio version by the Apple-signed band Badfinger (then called The Iveys). His “carrot” for the band was his offer to produce this song and two other Iveys’ originals for the movie “The Magic Christian” since he had a contract to supply three songs for it.
Paul auditioned each of the four Iveys to sing lead on “Come and Get It“. Ultimately, he picked Tom Evans over the other three band members, Pete Ham, Ron Griffiths, and Mike Gibbins.
I’d written the song Come And Get It and I’d made a fairly decent demo. Because I lived locally, I could get in half an hour before a Beatles session at Abbey Road – knowing it would be empty and all the stuff would be set up – and I’d use Ringo’s equipment to put a drum track down, put some piano down, quickly put some bass down, do the vocal, and double-track it. I said to Badfinger, ‘OK, it’s got to be exactly like this demo,’ because it had a great feeling on it. They actually wanted to put their own variations on, but I said, ‘No, this really is the right way.’ They listened to me – I was producing, after all – and they were good. The song was a hit in 1970.
Paul McCartney, Anthology
I said, “You should copy this faithfully”. They said, “But we’d like to change it a little bit.” I said, “No, it’s absolutely the right arrangement. Please don’t change this. I can guarantee it’s a hit.
Paul McCartney, about the recording of “Come And Get It”, with Badfinger – quoted from “Abbey Road 2019” liner notes.
Paul said, “I’ve got a lot on my plate at the minute. It’s yours if you do what I say. If you accept this as your next single, you can write the other two tracks they need for Ringo’s film”. It was too good an offer to refuse. […] That session went on forever. Around 30 takes, I think. Peter Ham, Tommy Evans and myself all had a shot at singing it. Tommy got the gig.
Ron Griffiths, from Badfinger , about the recording of “Come And Get It” – quoted from “Abbey Road 2019” liner notes.
Paul was always the most interested in us. When he wrote ‘Come And Get It’, he offered it to us because he knew that we had nothing to do. He even produced it, and told us, ‘I’m not going to do this song … but don’t expect any more.’ When we originally did the single, it was too simple, because only piano, bass and drums are used. But now we’realise what a genius Paul is, he knew what he was doing. To begin with, we used to get very involved with our recording as much as possible. When we submitted our tape to Paul, he returned it, offering to take us into the studio to show us how it ought to be done. Now, he’s helped to bring us out more, and has built up a lot of enthusiasm by taking an interest. Perhaps, if he liked the song we choose for the next single, he’ll produce it for us.
Tom Evans of Badinger – From Badman, Keith. The Beatles: Off the Record . Music Sales. Kindle Edition.
(The details of the session – length & description of each take – is taken from Tom Brennan’s Badfinger Library)
Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 1 (2:28) - Paul McCartney counts in the first take as he guides The Iveys through the first attempt. McCartney sings a lead scratch vocal while Tom Evans can also be heard on the first "Sonny" part. Even on this early take, Mike plays some impressive drum fills.
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 2 (0:10) - McCartney counts in again. After a false start, McCartney clears his throat, while Pete Ham chuckles and responds, "play it again."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 3 (1:00) - McCartney incorrectly announces, "If You Want It, Here It Is, Come And Get It, take 5", and counts in. The take breaks down at the start of the second verse.
AlbumReleased on bootleg Revolution Take... Your Knickers Off!
Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 4 (1:05) - Before the take, McCartney coaches The Iveys on the proper rhythm and tempo of the "fool and his money" break in the song, then he counts in again. This time, Paul sings only in a few spots, but off mic. The song breaks down at the start of the second verse.
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 5 (2:12) - Before the take, McCartney says something inaudible like, "Don't pick it up... the mirrors." This take sounds like it's counted in by Pete Ham. Someone, possibly Tom Evans, is singing the guide vocal this time instead of Paul McCartney. The take breaks down at the point of the second "Sonny".
AlbumReleased on bootleg Revolution Take... Your Knickers Off!
Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 6 (2:45) - Before this take McCartney gives the following instructions, "Just everyone a bit easier. It slows down a bit in those (sings) did I hear you say that there... Don't let it slow down...(inaudible)." Pete Ham counts it in. It sounds like Tommy Evans singing in a lower register. Before the tape cuts off, McCartney responds at the end to what sounds like Pete Ham, "It was pretty good, though. Yeah. It was a little bit on the (sings) Son-."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 7 (0:44) - This take breaks down when Pete Ham hits a wrong piano note at the end of the first verse.
AlbumReleased on bootleg Revolution Take... Your Knickers Off!
Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 8 (0:54) - This take breaks down at the beginning of verse 2. McCartney then comments, "Look over here if you're not sure. I'll be sort of going..."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 9 (0:51) - Before the take, after what sounds like Pete Ham talking about the piano, McCartney says to Pete Ham, "Huh? No. Well, I'll be in with them, 'cause he's watching Bill, so I'm sort of thinking, one two, three. Okay? Nice and steady, then." The actual take breaks down during the first verse, as Paul, Ron and Tom start fooling around with their musical parts.
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 10 (2:59) - Before the take, Griffiths plays around on his bass guitar as McCartney says, "Yeah. Try it with cans off if it's easier, or one on and one off. Just shove it behind your ear." This is a complete take, and the first time where all the playing is fairly tight, as Mike's drum fills start to take shape. During the first "Sonny" break, Tom's voice can be clearly heard singing off mic.
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 11 (0:27) - This take, which sounds a bit too fast, breaks down during the first verse. McCartney stops the take and says, "Hold on. It was a little bit. No, that wasn't together."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 12 (0:48) - Another breakdown, at the start of the second verse. McCartney advises, "Hold it. No. Try and look at Bill for that one, you know, if you can."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 13 (2:42) - This is a very good, complete take. Before the take, McCartney advises, "Play a bit lighter. Just, you know, try not to sort of think, you know, the studio and stuff, you know. Probably come out a bit better if you just sort of... fuck it."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 14 (2:25) - Another very good, complete take where you can hear Tommy singing during the "Sonny" breaks. Mike's drum fills are a little bit different. McCartney comments after: "Yeah. Good. That's much better, though. That was really, much better now. If you're gonna do..."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 15 (2:31) - Before the take, Tommy is shaking his maracas. This is another complete take. At this point, everyone knows their parts and is trying to come up with the perfect performance. Again, you can hear Tommy singing during the "Sonny" breaks. McCartney doesn't like this take as much as the previous one: "Not quite as good as the one before." Then he asks Pete Ham: "That was a bit slower, was it?"
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 16 (0:22) - Before the take, McCartney asks the engineer if he's ready: "Tony?" Tony Clark says, "Yup" and McCartney acknowledges his reply. The producer in the booth announces the take and they're off again. This take breaks down quickly in the first verse when someone in the booth whistles for them to stop.
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 17 (0:55) - This take breaks down as the second verse starts. McCartney says he's sorry and blames himself for blowing the take (Paul is playing the tambourine).
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 18 (2:27) - A forceful complete take with Tommy Evans singing the guide vocal. The take is nearly perfect aside from Pete Ham hitting a bum chord towards the end. As Ron's bass guitar fades, McCartney comments: "Not bad. Could do better. See me."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 19 (0:30) - This take never really gets going, as Pete Ham doesn't sound quite ready, and he's not playing the piano with full effort.
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 20 (2:19) - An excellent, complete take. Very close to being the final master backing. Even so, McCartney calls for "another one."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 21 (2:24) - This take has Ron Griffiths overdubbing a rough lead vocal onto take 20. McCartney comments: "We'll let you know Ron who's better." Some insight from Ron Griffiths himself: "...there was NO prior rehearsal, I did not benefit from double-tracking or reverb... also, I was not from Liverpool!!!"
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 22 (0:49) - Before this take, McCartney says: "Ron, there is just feel now." The take breaks down as the second verse begins with McCartney apologizing: "Sorry, I lost it a bit, then."
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Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 23 (0:37) - This take breaks down when Pete Ham hits messes up on the piano.
AlbumReleased on bootleg Revolution Take... Your Knickers Off!
Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 24 (0:52) - This take breaks down when Mike Gibbins messes up the snare drum break leading into the second verse.
AlbumReleased on bootleg Revolution Take... Your Knickers Off!
Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 25 (0:20) - This take quickly breaks down.
AlbumReleased on bootleg Revolution Take... Your Knickers Off!
Written by Paul McCartney
Recording • Take 26 (2:25) - This is a complete take, the master backing. McCartney sounds satisfied: "OK. We'll listen to those back."
AlbumReleased on bootleg Revolution Take... Your Knickers Off!
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