Recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Friday, September 6, 1968 • For The Beatles

Album Songs recorded during this session officially appear on the The Beatles (Mono) LP.
Studio:
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Songs recorded


1.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Written by George Harrison

Recording • SI onto take 25

Staff

Musicians on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Paul McCartney:
Bass
Ringo Starr:
Maracas, Tambourine
John Lennon:
Bass
George Harrison:
Lead vocal, Organ

Production staff

Ken Scott:
Engineer
John Smith:
Second Engineer

About

For many years it was believed that this was the recording session in which Eric Clapton overdubbed his lead guitar solo onto “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (as stated in “The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions” by Mark Lewisohn). In “The Beatles” Super Deluxe edition book (2018), this was explained that Clapton played with The Beatles on most of the takes recorded the previous day, when George Harrison decided a remake of the song was needed.

On this day, in a session which lasted from 7 pm to 2 am, The Beatles added overdubs onto take 25, and completed the track. George Harrison double-tracked his vocals and played a few very high-pitched organ notes. Paul McCartney added a distorted bass guitar part. Ringo Starr overdubbed tambourine and maracas. John Lennon added a bass part.

Mono and stereo mixes were made on October 7, but these were improved upon on October 14.


There was no producer in the room for this session, as George Martin was absent and had gone on holiday. The next Monday, his assistant, Chris Thomas, would be back from his own holiday and learn that he would produce the Beatles during all the September sessions!

Last updated on September 5, 2021

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