You Were In A Car Crash

The next song featured on the double Apple LP/CD "The Beatles"(White Album) is the first song composed entirely by Richard Starkey (aka Ringo Starr). This original composition was first concieved in the studio as "Ringo's Tune" (very original) and it's second title in the studio while recording the basic tracks was "This Is Some Friendly" and finally the song was entitled "Don't Pass Me By". It's ironic that during a radio show in 1963, the song was mentioned as a composition that Ringo was working on and a bit of the tune was voiced by Paul McCartney. Even back in 1963, the song was titled as "Don't Pass Me By" which makes one wonder why the different earlier titles were used during the recording of the song.

The basic track for "Don't Pass Me By" was first started on June 05 1968 at EMI Studio three. The only two Beatles on the basic track were Paul (on the piano) and Ringo (on the drums and guide vocal). Three takes were recorded and the third take was considered the keeper. Another piano part recorded through a leslie speaker and Christmas sleigh bells with cowbell.(once again by Paul and Ringo respectively) were overdubbed and the four track was filled. A tape reduction was completed bringing the song to take 4 with another reduction attempt now bringing the song to take 5. A lead vocal by Ringo was attempted as an overdub but it was scrapped. The two remaining tracks were therefore filled with a couple of bass lines played by Paul. At the end of this session, another reduction mix was completed but never used.

The next day on June 06 1968 at the familiar EMI studio two. Paul and Ringo returned to take five as Ringo sang his two lead vocals and wiped out the previous sessions bass tracks. Once again, a reduction of the tracks was completed which ran the song into take 7 (take six was abandoned). A mono mix was completed at this session which was pressed as an acetate for the two Beatles. The song up to this point with a combination of takes 3 synced with take 5 are available on the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 3" (in mono, of course). There are difference with the vocal tracks and at one point the chording goes out of sync !! This would be edited for the final commercial mixes.

"Don't Pass Me By" was left "as is" until nearly a month later when on July 12 1968, a fiddle player named Jack Fallon (who had ironically booked the Beatles as a promoter for five shows between March 1962 and June 1963 !!) added his overdub of fiddle throughout the song. Once this was complete, the bass guitar track was erased and replaced by another final bass performance by Paul. This completed the recording of "Don't Pass Me By" and four mono mixes were attempted and completed but this particular mono mix was not used on the commercial releases. This mono mix can be heard only on the Swinging Pig CD "Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 4". It must also be stated that the piano introduction of the song was taped at this session as an edit piece although I cannot find any strong documentation on it.

Finally, the song was mixed for both mono and stereo on the same day; October 11 1968 from the control room of EMI studio two. The fiddle in the song lasts longer in mono and the tempo of the song is faster in mono.

"Don't Pass Me By" can be found on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles (White Album) as well as the Capitol North American version LP "Rarities".

Ringo Starr performed this song with his All -Starr band during the 2003 tour.

The Doctor Came In Stinking Of Gin

The next song on the double LP/CD "The Beatles" (White Album) is an original Lennon/McCartney composition written mainly by Paul entitled "Rocky Raccoon". This "western" type cowboy-ish song was written while Paul was in India and is basically a four chord wonder which repeats itself throughout the tune.

The recording of the song was fairly simple and started and finished in one session. All of this took place on August 15 1968 from EMI studio two with Paul playing the acoustic guitar and singing, John on bass and Ringo on the drums. There were nine takes of the song and ninth take was used as the commercial version. The previous take (take 8) is available as on outtake on the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 3".

Once the basic track was complete, John's original bass track was wiped and replaced by a bass track played by Paul. An extra hit on the snare drum was added by Ringo as an overdub as well. There was a tape reduction bringing the song to take 10 and overdubs included John Lennon playing some harmonica, George Martin played the tack piano solo in the middle of the song and John, Paul and George added some background vocals for the last verse.

Once this was completed, the song was finished and an attempt at a mono mix was done and completed on the same night as the recording from the control room of EMI studio two. A tape copy of the mono mix was given to both John and Paul. There is a version of this mono mix with additional talking at the beginning which is available on the so-called "Peter Sellers Tape" and can be found on the Swinging Pig CD "Unsurpassed Masters Volume 4".

On Friday August 23 1968, another tape copy of the mono mix was made from EMI Studio Two and given to Apple (four copies were taken away by Mal Evans).

The stereo mix for "Rocky Raccoon" was completed in one attempt on October 10 1968 from EMI studio two. This attempt was used on the commercial version. There are no major differences between the mono and stereo mixes.

"Rocky Raccoon" can be found on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (White Album). Some of the early Apple labels on the vinyl version have the song misspelled as "Rocky Racoon".

Living Piggy Lives

The next song on the Apple double LP/CD "The Beatles" (White Album) is an original George Harrison song entitled "Piggies". This was a social commentary by George which was misinterpreted by that piece of shit murderer Charles Manson. It was George's mother who suggested the line "What They Need Is a Damn Good Wacking!".

"Piggies" was started on Thursday September 19 1968 in studio two, but a harpsichord was being left in studio one and was discovered by engineer Chris Thomas. This instrument was mentioned to George , who decided to add it to the song and suggested that Mr. Thomas play the instrument. Therefore, eleven takes of the basic track were completed with Chris Thomas on the harpsichord, George Harrison on the lead vocal and acoustic guitar, Paul on the bass guitar and Ringo on drums. It was recorded on a four track machine in studio one due to the fact that the eight track machine was located in studio two.

The next day on Friday September 20 1968 from EMI studio two, the previous day's session basic track was copied from four track to eight track. Once this was complete, George Harrison re-did his lead vocals including some filtering during the middle eight section. John and Paul joined in on the vocals for the last verse. Also added at this session were the "pig" noises - grunting from an obscure 78 rpm vinyl discovered at Abbey Road as well as the Beatles' voices grunting like pigs.

Finally, on Thursday October 10 1968, the string coda for the song was added by eight musicans: four playing the violins, two playing cello and two playing violas.

The next day on Friday October 11 1968, the song was mixed for mono in four attempts and then the song was mixed for stereo in three attempts. The placment of the sound effects (mainly the pig grunting sounds) were slightly different on the mono and stereo final mixes.

"Piggies" is available on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (White Album).

A live version of the song with George Harrison and the Eric Clapton band from 1992 can be found on the Dark Horse 2-LP/2-CD "Live In Japan".

Take These Broken Wings

The next song to appear on the Apple double-LP "The Beatles" (White Album) is an original Lennon/McCartney composition written mainly by Paul entitled "Blackbird". This tune was performed in one night with Paul on vocals and acoustic guitar. Contrary to some reports, there is no metronome present. It is simply Paul keeping time with his feet back and forth from one foot to the other. This can be seen on footage from the "Anthology" video/DVD series.

The song was inspired as commentary on the race relations pertaining to the United States.

The recording took place on Tuesday June 11 1968 at EMI Studio two with both Paul McCartney and John Lennon present. There were 32 takes recorded with no reductions. All of the takes were recorded on the EMI four track machine. The last take (take 32) was deemed as the commercial and best take whereby six attempts at a mono mix were completed at this session. The fourth track of the four track machine was filled with Paul overdubbing his own voice in the middle of the song.

On Tuesday August 27 1968, the current mono mix of "Blackbird" was copied from the control room of EMI studio two and taken away.

On Sunday October 13 1968, it was decided that "Blackbird" would have some sound effects added to the track and this was done at this session. The mixing in both stereo and mono (starting again with the additional effects) was completed at this session. Both mixes required one attempt each.

There are difference in the mono and stereo mix concerning the bird sound effects. They come in a different times on both mixes.

"Blackbird" is available on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (White Album). The song is also available on the EMI/Capitol LP "The Beatles Ballads" released in the UK and Canada.

"Blackbird" was performed live by Wings and was released on the EMI/Capitol 3-LP/2-CD "Wings Over America". It was also performed by Paul McCartney during his 2002 "Back in the US/Back in the World" tour and was released on the EMI 2-CD corresponding recordings of the same name.

I'll Have Another Cigarette

The second song of side two on the double Apple LP "The Beatles" (White Album) is an original Lennon/McCartney number written mainly by John entitled "I'm So Tired".

The recording session for this song took place on Tuesday October 08 1968. The song was begun and completed in one session. The session took place at EMI studio two on the eight track machine. The basic track consisted of John's vocal and guitar, George on guitar, Paul on Bass and Ringo on the drums - the classic line up. Fourteen takes were performed before it was decided that the commercial version would be the latter take. Various outtakes of the song can be heard on the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 3". In fact, it's an edit of takes 3,6 and 9.

Once the basic track was completed, overdubs included more vocals from John and Paul, keyboards (organ and an electric piano), extra snare drum and extra guitar.

"I'm So Tired" was mixed for commercial release on Tuesday October 15 1968 again from EMI studio two. There were five attempts for the stereo mix and three attempts for the mono mix. John and Paul's background vocals are mixed differently for the mono and stereo mix. Paul's vocal is especially evident in the mono mix.

"I'm So Tired" is available on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (White Album).

Take A Good Look Around You

The first song on side two of the double LP of "The Beatles" (White Album) is an original Lennon/McCartney composition written mainly by Paul entitled "Martha My Dear". The inspiration for the song - at least the name in the title - was taken from a sheepdog that Paul owned at the time by the name of "Martha". Although the title name was from his dog, the song itself is a love song type ballad. It's a great little piano tune with nice Northern brass and it's basically Paul playing everything. I have not seen evidence of anyone else on the recording and it just sounds like Paul. Definitely the piano and bass (obviously the vocals) and the drums are in Paul's style.

There is confusion over the recording. Upon researching the recording dates, the basic track, the piano and drums and vocals and brass and horns were all recorded on the same day as the overdubs for the brass and horns on the song "Honey Pie" which will be reviewed in another post. I'm assuming that the score for the brass was already written (from a demo?) for George Martin to arrange.

The basic track was recorded on Friday October 04 1968 at Trident Studio in St. Anne's Court, London on the eight track machine. As previously mentioned in the above paragraph, Paul played the bass, drums and piano (with a guide vocal) called take 1. The brass and horns were then overdubbed and Paul added his commerical version lead vocal once the brass overdub was completed.

The next day on Saturday October 05 1968 once again at Trident Studio, Paul overdubbed his bass and an electric guitar and the song was completed. A mono mix and a stereo mix were also attempted and completed at this session.

Two days later on Monday October 07 1968 at EMI studio two, "Martha My Dear" was tape copied from the Trident tape EQ to the Abbey Road tape EQ and both versions (mono and stereo) were completed. There is no difference (to my ears) between the mono and stereo version of this great song.

"Martha My Dear" can be found on the Apple/EMI 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" ( White Album). One of my favourite songs on the White Album. Absolutely brilliant.

Bang Bang Shoot Shoot

The next song and the one that ends Side 1 of the double LP "The Beatles" (White Album) is an original Lennon/McCartney composition written mainly by John entitled "Happiness Is A Warm Gun". This title was taken from an actual line in a gun magazine shown to John by George Martin (probably in the studio at some point). The song has many section with varying tempos and a great section where the song instruments and the voices fall into 3/4 time while the drumming continues on 4/4 time whereby at the end of the section they both meet up. Very brilliant !! A great rock song and one of the highlights of "The Beatles".

The original title of the song during recording was "Happiness Is A Warm Gun In Your Hand" which was shortened later on. The first basic rhythm track was started on Monday September 23 1968 with rehearsals and 45 takes of John singing a guide vocal and playing guitar, George on guitar as well, bass by Paul and drums by Ringo.

The next day on September 24 1968, a further 25 takes were completed with the same instrumentation. Both days were recorded at EMI Studio two.

The next day on September 25 1968 and once again in EMI studio two, it was decided to edit the best part of the first four sections of the song (take 53) with the last section of the song (take 65). From now on the take was numbered at 65. Onto this take various overdubs were required for the eight track recording: John's lead vocal, the backing vocals, keyboards (organ and piano), tambourine and a snare drum and bass guitar. Also accomplished at this session were two attempts at a mono mix. None of this mono mixes were used for the commercial version.

The next day on September 26 1968 in the control room of EMI studio two, 10 more mono mix attempts were completed with the 12th mono mix being used for the commercial version.

The stereo mix for "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" was completed in three attempts from the control room of EMI studio two on Tuesday October 15 1968.

The difference between the mono and stereo mixes is that you can hear a little bit of the end of a Lennon vocal at the point before he starts the line "I Need a Fix..." on the stereo mix but this is silent on the mono mix. Also, the level on the instrumentation is different at spots.

"Happiness Is A Warm Gun" can be found on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles"(White Album)

You Were Perverted Too

The next song on side one of the Beatles double LP "The Beatles" (White Album) is an original George Harrison composition entitled "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". This song was written when George pulled out a copy of the "I Ching", opened the book to a random page and the first words he saw were "gently weeps". Thus a masterpiece was born.

The first recording for this song was attempted on Thursday July 25 1968 at EMI studio two where a few rehearsals of the song were recorded and taken away by George later in the evening. One take of a proper performance was also completed with George solo on the acoustic guitar and a harmonium played by either Paul or overdubbed by George. This unreleased (at the time) recording also contained a final verse that does not appear on the commercial version. The first aural existance of this tape was to be heard on the bootleg CD "Abbey Road Video Show". It later appeared on a myriad of bootlegs as a contender for the unreleased "Sessions" LP. Finally, this version was released in edited form on the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 3". A version of this recording with overdubbed strings conducted by George Martin can be found on the Apple/EMI 2-LP/CD "Love".

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was re-made a month later on Friday August 16 1968 at EMI studio two. 14 takes of the basic included the instrumentation of Ringo on the drums, John on the organ, George on guitar and Paul on bass. A reduction was made taking the song into take 15.

A historic session took place On Tuesday September 03 1968 as this was the first Beatles recording to use eight-track rather than four-track. At EMI studio two, the four- track tape for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was transferred to eight-track making it ready for overdubs and taking the song into take 16. At this session, George Harrison tried to add a backwards guitar solo to the basic track.

Two day later on September 05 1968 once again at EMI studio two, George Harrison added two separate lead vocals, more drums and another guitar solo. Upon playback, George didn't like what he heard and the whole song was scrapped. It was decided to start from scratch. Therfore, another basic track was recorded (what ended up as the commercial version) with acoustic guitar and vocal by George, guitar by John, bass by Paul and drums by Ringo. Although announced officially as takes 17 to 44, it was the 25th take that perfected the basic track.

The next day on Friday September 06 in EMI studio two, a well-known guitarist by the name of Eric Clapton was recruited by George to play the guitar solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Also added on this night were overdubs of George's vocal (with Paul on backing vocal), George adding some high organ notes, a fuzz bas by Paul and added percussion by Ringo.

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was first mixed in stereo in one attempt on Monday October 07 1968 from EMI studio two. Two attempts at the mono mix were also completed on this day. None of the mono nor the studio mix were ever used commercially and the mixes would be re-done.

On Monday October 14 1968 - a week later - and once again from EMI studio two, two mono mix attempts and three stereo mix attempts were completed at this session. The differences with the previous mixes and these mixes were that the guitar solo played by Eric Clapton was "oscillated" so as to sound more "Beatley" according to Clapton. The mixes completed this day were used on the commercial release.

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps " is available on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (White Album) as well as the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "The Concert For Bangladesh (live version). The studio version is also available on the UK Parlophone and North American Capitol LP/CD "The Best of George Harrison".

Several live version of this tune exist with George playing the song on the aforementioned Concert for Bangla Desh as well as exising on several bootlegs of the 1974 "Dard Horse" tour. It is also heard for the 80s Prince's Trust and can be obtained on this LP. Finally, it was played during George's early 90s tour of Japan with the Eric Clapton band and was released on the Dark Horse 2-LP/CD "Live in Japan".

He Went Out Tiger Hunting

The next song on "The Beatles" (White Album) double LP is an original Lennon/McCartney tune mainly written by John entitled "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill". On the original Apple labels Side one of the US LP; the title is simply "Bungalow Bill". Early copies have this label error but it was fixed quickly enough. This song was inspired when the Beatles were in India stuying Trancendental Meditation with the Maharashi Mahesh Yogi. One of the students present with The Beatles in India was supposedly a Tiger hunter. Yoko Ono sings a line of lead vocal on this song.

The recording of the song began on Tuesday October 08 1968 at EMI studio two. The instruments consisted of bass, drums and acoustic guitars. Three takes were completed with the third take being used as the master. Overdubbed onto this take were the lead vocals and the chorus vocals with all four Beatles, Yoko and Maureen Starkey singing along. In fact, anybody who was in the vicinity of the studio sang on the chorus. Also overdubbed was a mellotron with the sound of a mandolin during the verses and the sound of a trumpet for the chorus. A tambourine and clapping were added during the sing along. Finally, a Lennon line "All The Children Sing" was overdubbed as a second vocal.

There is a bit of spanish flamenco guitar at the beginning of the song that was actually a tape loop located inside the mellotron (which was played by Chris Thomas as well as all of the mellotron parts). This edit was probably added during the mixing stage of the song.

"The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill" was mixed for stereo the next day on Wednesday October 09 1968 (John Lennon's birthday) with two attempts, the second being used on the commercial version. After that; the mono mix was completed in one attempt and used on the commercial version.

"The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill" can be found on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (aka The White Album).

I Love You, Honey Pie

The next song on the Apple 2-lp/2-CD "The Beatles" (white album) is a short track. In fact, this is the shortest track on the White Album as it only lasts 53 seconds. The song is an original Lennon/McCartney composition written mainly by Paul entitled "Wild Honey Pie". This song was basically an improvisation and probably was used as a sing-along in India earlier in the year 1968. Some books claim that it was Pattie Harrison's favourite.

The recording session for this song took place on August 20 1968 at EMI Studio two. The basic track consisted of Paul McCartney playing acoustic guitar and singing a lead vocal. This was done in one take. Afterwards, Paul McCartney overdubbed the acoustic guitar and the vocals two more times tripling the instruments and vocals. On the last track, a bass drum was overdubbed by Paul. Obviously, this is a Paul McCartney solo track in the sense that he is the only Beatle playing and singing on the track. Once this recording was completed, six mono mixes were attempted with the last mix being released commercially.

On Friday August 23 1968 from EMI studio two, four tape copies of the mono mix for "Wild Honey Pie" was given to each individual Beatle ( along with other compositions completed at this point for the LP). The tape copy with the count-in from Ringo's copy (and provided to Peter Seller's for his enjoyment) can be found on the Yellow Dog CD "Unsurpassed Masters Vol. 4".

The stereo mix for "Wild Honey Pie" was completed in two attempts from EMI studio two on October 13 1968.

There is quite an aural difference between the mono and stereo mixes - the two versions have one of the vocal faders up higher depending on which version you are listening to.

"Wild Honey Pie" can be found on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (White Album).

They Have Built A Home Sweet Home

The next tune on the first side of the first record of "The Beatles" white album is an original Lennon/McCartney composition written mainly by Paul entitled "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da". This tune was performed in a "ska" or "reggae" type feel. The expression "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" was coined by a conga player Jimmy Scott.

The recording of the song commenced on July 03 1968 at EMI studio two with the basic track of Paul playing an acoustic guitar and guide vocal while Ringo played the drums. Seven takes were completed and the seventh take was chosen to receive overdubs including a second acoustic and Paul's lead vocals. After this was done, Paul McCartney decided that he enjoyed the feel of take four rather than take seven and therefore it was decided that the overdubbed acoustic (running slightly hot to make it sound a little distorted) was to be added to take four rather than take seven.

The next day on July 04 1968 at EMI studio two, the vocal overdubs onto take 4 were added with two Paul McCartney vocals (one being the lead and the other one being harmonization). John and George also added backing vocals and "la-la"s in the chorus. A tape reduction was also completed at this session bringing the song into take 5.

The next day on July 05 1968 at EMI studio two, three saxes and bongos (played by Jimmy Scott himself) were overdubbed onto the track. Also added were percussion and bass by Paul. The recording of this version was completed and a mono mix was taken away by Paul over that week-end and it was decided to scrap the whole recording !! The raw studio tape of this version can be heard on Yellow Dog's CD "Unsurpassed Masters 7" and this version can also be heard on the Apple/EMI 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 3".

On Monday July 08 1968 again in EMI studio two, the song was re-made starting from scratch. The basic track consisted of drums, George on acoustic, John on piano and Paul on bass. Twelve takes were required to perfect the basic track. Once this was completed, a reduction mix was made placing all of the above instruments of the basic track onto track one bringing the song into take thirteen. Overdubbed at this session were the lead vocals and backing vocals as well as percussion. This concluded the session and a mono mix was taken away by Paul once again.

The next day on Tuesday July 09 1968 at EMI studio two, a second re-make was attempted by The Beatles to complete the song. Only two takes of the second re-make were completed before it was decided to abandon the idea of a second re-make and to go back to the first re-make originally recorded the previous day. The previous day's vocals were wiped and the new commercial vocals were completed at this session. Also added to the track were handclaps and percussion. The percussion/handclaps were added after another reduction mix was completed bringing the song into take 22 (although this was only to keep some kind of consistency to the recording since the first re-make would have brought the song to take 14).

On July 11 1968 at EMI studio three, an overdub of three saxes were overdubbed onto the re-make of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da". Bass guitar was also added after a reduction taking the song into takes 23 and 24. Also at this session the song was given it's first mono mix.

The next day on July 12 1968 from EMI studio two, two more mono mixes (named 10 and 11) were completed for commercial release.

On Monday July 15 1968 at EMI studio two, one of the mono mixes was taken away by Paul McCartney and it was decided to re-record his lead vocal on this night as he was not completed satisfied with it. Once the vocal overdub was completed, 10 more mono mixes were attempted (named 12-21) and completed.

On Saturday October 12 1968 from the control room of EMI studio two, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" was given a stereo mix. Four attempts were completed for the stereo mix.

"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" can be found on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles" (White Album) as well as the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles 1967-1970". On November 08 1976, Capitol Records in North America released "Ob-La-Da, Ob-La-Da" as a single with the B-side being "Julia". This single only made number 49 in Billboard becoming the first Capitol Beatles single not to chart in the top 30.

Paul McCartney has performed "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" for his "Up and Coming" tour of 2010 at various venues around the world.