Recording "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

About

On this day, The Beatles started working on “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da“. The recording of it would prove quite difficult and would create tension within the band. Three versions were worked on:

• Version 1 was recorded July 3, 4, 5.
• Version 2 was recorded July 8, 9, 11, 15.
• Version 3 was recorded July 9.

The session lasted from 8 pm to 3:15 am the following morning. George Martin was mentioned as the producer for this session on EMI sheets, but it might have been Chris Thomas acting as producer on this day, according to engineer Geoff Emerick:

George happened to be absent on the first night The Beatles started running down ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,’ so Chris was the de facto producer. Initially, we all enjoyed doing the track because of its lighthearted up-tempo feel.

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

Seven takes of “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” were recorded with Paul McCartney on acoustic guitar and guide vocals, John Lennon and George Harrison on acoustic guitars, and Ringo Starr on drums. In between takes, George announced, “I’m standing up this time,” then adding, in reference to a Duane Eddy instrumental hit, “I’m ‘Movin’ ‘n’ Groovin’!“. Sometime during the recording, they apparently also played “Bye Bye Love“, an early Everly Brothers’ hit.

Take 7 was considered the best one, and overdubs of a proper lead vocal and another acoustic guitar were added. But McCartney had a change of mind and considered the basic rhythm of take 4 to be superior. An acoustic guitar was then added to take 4. Vocals would be worked on the day after.

Last updated on September 4, 2021

Songs recorded

Staff

Musicians on "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Paul McCartney:

Acoustic guitar, Vocals

Ringo Starr:

Drums

John Lennon:

Acoustic guitar

George Harrison:

Acoustic guitar

Production staff

George Martin:

Producer

Geoff Emerick:

Engineer

Richard Lush:

Second Engineer