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Released in 1969

Octopus's Garden

Written by Ringo Starr

Last updated on December 29, 2021

Album This song officially appears on the Abbey Road LP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1969

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interview

From Wikipedia:

“Octopus’s Garden” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written and sung by Ringo Starr (credited to his real name Richard Starkey), from their 1969 album Abbey Road. George Harrison, who assisted Starr with the song, commented: “‘Octopus’s Garden’ is Ringo’s song. It’s only the second song Ringo has ever written, mind you, and it’s lovely.” He added that the song gets very deep into the listener’s consciousness “because it’s so peaceful. I suppose Ringo is writing cosmic songs these days without even realising it.” It was the last song released by the Beatles featuring Starr on lead vocals.

Composition

The idea for the song came about when Starr was on a boat belonging to comedian Peter Sellers in Sardinia in 1968. He ordered fish and chips for lunch, but instead of fish he got squid (it was the first time he’d eaten squid, and he said, “It was OK. A bit rubbery. Tasted like chicken.”) The boat’s captain then told Starr about how octopuses travel along the sea bed picking up stones and shiny objects with which to build gardens. Starr’s songwriting was further inspired by his desire to escape mounting hostility among the Beatles; he would later admit that he had “just wanted to be under the sea, too”. Uncredited assistance in developing the song’s chord changes was provided by Harrison, who can be seen helping Starr work the song out on piano, with Lennon later joining in with drums, in the Let It Be documentary.

The song, which contains the lyrics “Oh what joy for every girl and boy/Knowing they’re happy and they’re safe,” is sometimes thought of as being a song for children, like “Yellow Submarine” or “All Together Now“. It has also been performed by the Muppets several times in various episodes of their shows.

Recording

The basic instrumental track was recorded 26 April 1969, with the Beatles lineup of two electric guitars (Harrison and Lennon), bass guitar (McCartney) and drums (Starr). Starr also provided a temporary guide vocal on this date. (Take 2 of the recording, featuring this guide vocal, Starr singing the first verse three times, is track 14 on disc 2 of Anthology 3.) In the absence of George Martin, the Beatles themselves were listed as producer, with Martin’s apprentice Chris Thomas present in the control room to assist. Thirty-two takes were required before the Beatles were satisfied with the track.

The backing vocals by McCartney and Harrison during the guitar solo were put through compressors and limiters to create a gurgling sound. At Starr’s request, Harrison added the sound of bubbles by blowing through a straw into a glass of milk. […]

Re-release

The song was remixed in 2006 for the Beatles album Love, which contained remixes of classic Beatles songs. The remix begins with Starr’s vocals over the orchestration from “Good Night“, then transitions into the original instrumental backing track on the line “I’d ask my friends…”, with sound effects from “Yellow Submarine” added in the background. During the guitar solo, the drum track is replaced with that of “Lovely Rita“. […]

From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:

[a] stereo 18 Jul 1969.
UK: Apple PCS 7088 Abbey Road 1969, Apple PCSP 718 The Beatles 1967-1970 1973.
US: Apple SO-383 Abbey Road 1969, Apple SKBO-3404 The Beatles 1967-1970 1973.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46446 2 Abbey Road 1987, EMI CDP 7 97039 2 The Beatles 1967-1970 1993.

Lyrics

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus' garden in the shade

He'd let us in, knows where we've been

In his octopus' garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see

An octopus' garden with me

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus' garden in the shade.

We would be warm below the storm

In our little hideaway beneath the waves

Resting our head on the sea bed

In an octopus' garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around

Because we know we can't be found

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus' garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about

The coral that lies beneath the waves

(Lies beneath the ocean waves)

Oh what joy for every girl and boy

Knowing they're happy and they're safe

(Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy you and me

No one there to tell us what to do

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus' garden with you.

Officially appears on

See all official recordings containing “Octopus's Garden”

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Octopus's Garden”

Live performances

Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.

Going further

Solid State: The Story of "Abbey Road" and the End of the Beatles

Acclaimed Beatles historian Kenneth Womack offers the most definitive account yet of the writing, recording, mixing, and reception of Abbey Road. In February 1969, the Beatles began working on what became their final album together. Abbey Road introduced a number of new techniques and technologies to the Beatles' sound, and included "Come Together," "Something," and "Here Comes the Sun," which all emerged as classics.

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