Recording "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight"

On this day, in a 2:30 pm to 1:15 am session, The Beatles continued the work on three songs of the “Abbey Road” medley – “You Never Give Me Your Money” and “Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight“.

The day before, several reduction mixes of take 30 of “You Never Give Me Your Money” had been made and some overdubs were added onto the reduction mix named take 40. On this day, Paul McCartney returned to take 30 and re-recorded his bass part (on track seven). He also recorded a piano track, recorded at half-speed, which gave the honky-tonk effect when played at the correct speed.

At this stage, the remaining question was how to segue “You Never Give Me Your Money” into the next medley track, “Sun King“. This would be solved with additional overdubs added on August 5, 1969.

Paul then re-recorded some lead vocals on “Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight” (on track six) and Ringo Starr added some extra drum hits (on track seven).

Some timpani drums were also added on “Carry That Weight“. The studio documentation doesn’t mention who played timpani and photographic evidence shows that both Paul and Ringo attempted to achieve the right timpani sound.

“Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight” would receive its final (orchestral) overdubs on August 15, 1969.

Session activities

1. You Never Give Me Your Money

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • SI onto take 30

2. Golden Slumbers

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • SI onto take 17

3. Carry That Weight

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • SI onto take 17

Staff

Musicians on "Carry That Weight"

Musicians on "You Never Give Me Your Money"

Musicians on "Golden Slumbers"

Production staff

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