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PLAYLIST April 9th 2017

9AM

The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Recording began on February 1, 1967 for what would become the title track of the new Beatles album. The was written entirely by Paul McCartney. It was McCartney’s idea to give alter egos -- they would become Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts 2

Club Band -- for this album. Nine takes were attempted, two of which were complete run-throughs. For the first time ever an instrument (Paul’s bass guitar) was directly injected into the recording console instead of through an amplifier. Vocals were added the following evening, and the track sat for a month while the band worked on other material. The group returned to the title track on March 3 with the addition of four French horns played by outside musicians. Paul also came up with the idea of simulating a concert performance by the alter-ego band. The sound of the band warming up was taken from the February 10 orchestra session for “.” Other effects (the crowd settling down, applause, and laughter) were taken from the vast tape archives. The screaming at the end of the song was taken from the Capitol- recorded Beatles concert at the Hollywood Bowl. On the “Sgt. Pepper” album the end of the title track segues into Ringo’s “With A Little help From My Friends.” ALSO ON Yellow Submarine Songtrack Mix Rock Band Mix

The Beatles - With A Little Help From My Friends - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Ringo The first instance on a Beatles album where one song segues into another without the usual few seconds of silence between the tracks. This was to give the listener the feeling of a continuous concert performance. Written on the afternoon of March 29, 1967 by Paul with help from at Paul’s house on Cavendish Avenue in St. John’s Wood specifically as a song for to sing on the new album. It was recorded that evening. Although he liked the song, Ringo refused to sing the original lyrics to the opening verse. Ringo: “The original first verse to that was ‘What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you throw a tomato at me?’ And I said, ‘I’m not singing that.’” John and Paul quickly changed the line to “Would you stand up and walk out on me?” The rhythm track was recorded in ten takes the same day Paul and John write the song, with Paul on piano, George on , John on guitar and Ringo on drums. Vocals were added as Take 11. Originally titled “Bad Finger Boogie.” The screaming at the beginning of the song was taken from the Capitol-recorded Beatles concert at the Hollywood Bowl. On the “Sgt. Pepper” album the end of the title track segues into “With A Little help From My Friends.” ALSO ON

Yellow Submarine Songtrack Mix Rock Band Mix

The Beatles - Fixing A Hole - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul On February 9, 1967, the Beatles recorded “Fixing A Hole” at Regent Sound Studio on Tottenham Court Road in London. The session was booked at Regent by because Abbey Road was unavailable. It marks the first time the Beatles recorded a 3

British EMI session at a studio other than Abbey Road. No longer on the EMI staff, Martin was free to travel wherever they were recording. But engineer Geoff Emerick and the usual crew of tape operators at Abbey Road were all EMI employees so they couldn’t go along.

Prior to leaving for Regent on February 9, Paul encountered a stranger at his gate. The man introduced himself as Christ. Paul thought, “It probably isn’t. But if he is, I’m not going to be the one to turn him away.” Paul shared tea with the man and invited him to that evening’s session at Regent if he promised to be very quiet. Paul: “He came to the session and he did sit very quietly and I never saw him again after that. I introduced him to the guys. They said, ‘Who’s this?’ I said, ‘He’s Jesus Christ.’ We had a bit of a giggle over that.” After some rehearsal, three proper takes were recorded. George Martin provides the distinctive harpsichord part, and plays one of his most memorable guitar solos. The Beatles returned to Abbey Road the following day but didn’t get around to working on “Fixing A Hole” again until February 21. Longtime Beatle assistant Mal Evans claims to have written a portion of the song with McCartney but, of course, was not credited. He claims he was paid for his help. Although the song’s title and lyrical references to mind wandering led many listeners to conclude the song was about shooting heroin. Paul McCartney, who wrote the song, begs to differ. “Mending was my meaning. Wanting to be free enough to let my mind wander, let myself be artistic… It was the idea of me being on my own now, able to do what I want. If I want I’ll paint the room in a colorful way. I’m fixing the hole, I’m fixing the crack in the door… I’ll take hold of my life a bit more.” Paul had bought a Scottish farm house in June 1966 and many have assumed the fixing reference was about making repairs to his newly acquired farm house, but McCartney says no. Paul: “It was much later that I ever got around to fixing the roof and making the repairs to the Scottish farm. I never did any of that till I met Linda.” ALSO ON Rock Band Mix

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The Beatles - She’s Leaving Home - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Lennon-McCartney) 4

Lead vocals: Paul and John Recorded March 17, 1967 in six takes. Written primarily by Paul with lyrical assistance from John, the song is based on a story appearing in the February 27, 1967, edition of the Daily Mail about seventeen-year-old runaway Melanie Coe. Paul begins the story about the girl leaving a note for her parents before slipping out of the house, John provides the parents’ anguished point of view. When Paul called George Martin to ask if he’d create a string arrangement for the song he was told that Martin had already committed to a Cilla Black session and Paul would have to wait. Paul then contacted Mike Leander to score the song. Paul had met Leander at the October 11, 1965, Decca Studios session for Marianne Faithfull’s cover of “Yesterday.” The score called for four violins, two violas, two cellos, a double-bass and a harp. The harp is played by Sheila Bromberg, who became the first woman to play on a Beatles recording. As was the case with “Eleanor Rigby” eleven months earlier, no Beatles played an instrument on “She’s Leaving Home.” Martin made only slight adjustments to Leander’s arrangement when it was recorded on March 17. An interesting side note…Melanie was a dancer on the Ready Steady Go! TV show and met the Fabs Oct. 1963 when she won a mime contest and was awarded prizes by the Beatles! ALSO ON Rock Band Mix FYI – Mono mix is correct speed

The Beatles - Girl - (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John Written primarily by John, the song was completed in two takes on November 11, 1965. The song is notable for the naughty backing vocal (Paul and George repeating the word “tit”) and John’s heavy breathing during his vocal. John called of his best. On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP Rock Band Mix Love /bonus itunes only

Paul McCartney & Wings – Let Me Roll It – One Hand Clapping

The Beatles - Happiness Is A Warm Gun - The Beatles (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John 5

John Lennon’s “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” was actually three different, and unfinished, song segments he had strung together to form one finished song. Recording started on September 23, 1968, and the takes numbered into the dozens, an unusual practice for the Beatles. But the three song sections were not alike and had different tempos so it made for difficult transitions. On the first day, 45 takes were attempted. The next day, 25 more attempts to perfect the rhythm track were made. The three distinct parts of the finished song are “I Need A Fix,” “Mother Superior Jumped The Gun,” and “Happiness Is A Warm Gun.” The instrumental line-up was the same both days, with John on Epiphone Casino electric guitar, George on Fender Telecaster, Paul on Rickenbacker bass and Ringo on drums. Ultimately, it was decided that “take 53” up to 1:34 was the best of the first two parts of the song and “take 65” was the best version of the third part, so those two best takes were edited together to create the “best” overall take of the complete song and overdubbing began. Specifically, John’s lead vocal (triple-tracked in some places), the “happiness, bang bang, shoot shoot” backing vocals from John, Paul and George, organ, piano, snare drum beat, additional bass, and tambourine. The working title was “Happiness Is A Warm Gun In Your Hand,” and that wording was taken directly from text on the cover of an American gun magazine George Martin had shown to John. That phrase was a take-off of the then-hugely popular “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles Schulz, who used the line “Happiness is a warm puppy.” John considered “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” one of his best . Paul and George reportedly said the track was their favorite on the new album. ALSO ON Esher Demo

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George Harrison – Isn’t It A Pity (version one) - ‘70 Simple, effective, majestic – this track is one of the most magnificent tunes of George’s solo career. First composed during the “” sessions, it was recorded on June 2nd, 1970. Some considered this to be a parody of “,” with it’s length and similar sounding backing chorus – but the song is anything but a parody – but another piece of firm evidence of George’s power as a master .

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The Beatles - Any Time At All - A Hard Day’s Night (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John Recorded June 2, 1964, the last day of recording for the “A Hard Day’s Night” album. : “An effort at writing ‘It Won't Be Long’ - same ilk. C to A minor, C to A minor with me shouting.” The song was in an unfinished state when Lennon brought it to the band to record on June 2. The group worked out the arrangement throughout the day and night. Up against the wall on a deadline to submit the album, the piano section in the middle eight was left without lyrics. They had run out of time. On April 8, 1988, Lennon's handwritten lyrics for “Any Time At All” were sold for £6,000 at an auction held at Sotheby's in London. On U.S. album: Something New - Capitol LP 7

The Beatles - Eight Days A Week - (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John Recorded primarily on October 6, 1964. It is the first instance of the Beatles taking an unfinished idea into the studio and experimenting with different approaches to a song. “Eight Days A Week” is the first pop song with a fade-in introduction. Written mostly by Paul, the title was taken from a line spoken by a limo driver. McCartney: “I was being driven over to visit John. The chauffeur was talking away to me, saying how hard his boss worked the staff, so hard that they seem to do eight days a week. We’ve altered the plot a bit for the song, of course. The bloke loves the girl eight days a week.” In later years John Lennon incorrectly referred to this title in interviews as the original working title for the film “Help!” The actual working title of “Help!” was “Eight Arms To Hold You.” On September 20, 1964 as the band and their entourage flew to their final North American Tour concert destination, the press corps on board the Beatles private plane witnessed from a distance, careful not to interrupt, the four Beatles huddled together working on a new song. John, Paul, and George on guitars and Ringo tapping his knees, and all humming the tune of what would become “Eight Days A Week.” Released as a single b/w “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party” in the U.S. on February 15, 1965. On U.S. album: Beatles VI - Capitol LP The Beatles 1+ (remixed) Anthology 1 Rock Band mix

QUIZ #1 HERE Today in 1965 the Beatles released their 1st single clocking in over 3 minutes as a matter of fact it’s the first Beatles song that they recorded over 3 mins…name it…you have the length of this next song….which ain’t long! 8

The Beatles - I’ll Be Back - A Hard Day’s Night (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John Recorded in 16 takes on June 1, 1964. “I'll Be Back” was written mostly by John Lennon, and was a reworking of the chords to Del Shannon's 1961 hit “Runaway.” Beatles fans in America would have to wait five months to hear this exquisite Beatles song, one of Lennon finest compositions, because held it off their “Something New” album and released it on “Beatles ‘65” in December 1964. On U.S. album: Beatles ‘65 - Capitol LP Anthology 1 9

WINNER HERE The Beatles - Ticket To Ride - Help! (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: John and Paul The Beatles’ ninth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label. 10

Issued nearly four months prior to the “Help!” album’s release on July 19, 1965 in the U.S. and four days later in the UK. Recorded on February 15, 1965 and featuring a blistering lead guitar performance by Paul McCartney. John and Paul composed the song together based primarily on John’s idea. The song’s distinctive drum pattern was conceived by Paul. The complex song arrangement was highly innovative for the time, and certainly unlike anything being played on top 40 radio. John Lennon in 1970: “ ‘Ticket To Ride was slightly a new sound at the time. It was pretty heavy for then, if you go and look in the charts for what other music people were making. It's a heavy record and the drums are heavy too. That's why I like it.” McCartney said, “It was quite radical at the time.” Capitol Records printed “From the United Artists release ‘Eight Arms To Hold You’ ” on both sides of the single. On U.S. album: Help! - Capitol LP The Beatles 1+ (remixed) Live at the Hollywood Bowl Live on the BBC, Vol. 1 (live) Anthology 2 / Live for the ITV show "Blackpool Night Out".

The Beatles - Yes It Is - Single (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: John, Paul and George Recorded over five hours on February 16, 1965, the rhythm track of “Yes It Is” was completed in 14 takes. John, Paul and George then spent three hours recording the vocals live, the best version being laid on top of Take 14 as an overdub. Starting in 1965 this was the new way they would record. Previously, every edit piece or overdub would have been numbered. Now they just recorded until they got it right and placed that on top of a numbered take, the ”best” rhythm track. Written primarily by John Lennon. John: “That's me trying a rewrite of ‘This Boy,’ but it didn't work.” “Yes It Is” is notable for its lush harmonies and George Harrison’s 12-string Rickenbacker played through a foot-controlled volume pedal, what is now known as a “wah-wah pedal.” The B-side of the “Ticket To Ride” single, issued April 9, 1965 in the UK and April 19, 1965 in the U.S. Capitol Records printed “From the United Artists release ‘Eight Arms To Hold You’ ” on both sides of the single. The wrong film title and this song was not included in the film. On U.S. album: Beatles VI - Capitol LP Past Masters Anthology 2 UK: Non-album single (B-side)

The Beatles - I Need You - Help! (Harrison) Lead vocal: George Recorded in five takes on February 15, 1965, the first day of recording for what was to become the “Help!” album, with overdubs completed the next day. It is the second original George Harrison song to be recorded by the Beatles. Harrison wrote “I Need You” for his future wife, Pattie Boyd. The track is notable for the first use on a Beatles record of what is now known as a “wah-wah pedal.” George achieved this by playing his 11

12-string Rickenbacker through a foot-controlled volume pedal. Ringo provides cowbell percussion. On U.S. album: Help! - Capitol LP

The Beatles - I’m Looking Through You - Rubber Soul (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Written by Paul after an argument with then-girlfriend, actress Jane Asher. Initially recorded on October 24, 1965, the song was re-recorded from scratch on November 6, but McCartney was still not satisfied. Four days later, on November 10, the group took another stab at it. Paul’s lead vocal was superimposed the next day. The version issued by Capitol Records has two false starts. On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP Rock Band Mix 12

Anthology 2

Some Beatles `65 for yer 9th day of April 2017

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The Beatles - Lovely Rita - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Paul heard that in America “traffic wardens” were called “meter maids,” which he thought was humorous and decided to see what he could rhyme with it. Written entirely by Paul McCartney and recorded on February 23, 1967. The basic rhythm track was completed in eight takes. Take 8 was deemed the best and it was mixed down to a single track and the Beatles added overdubs to create the finished recording. Specifically, Paul’s bass on Feb. 23, Paul’s lead vocal on Feb. 24, John, Paul and George’s backing vocals on March 7, and George Martin was elected to fill the song’s middle eight with a piano solo, recorded on March 21. ALSO ON Rock Band Mix

The Beatles - - The Beatles (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Recorded in one take on October 4, 1968, at Trident Studios. With the exception of the strings and horns section orchestrated by George Martin that was overdubbed onto take 1, the piano-driven ballad “Martha My Dear” was another Paul McCartney solo performance on the “White Album.” Although it takes its name from Paul’s sheep dog, Martha, the song is a love song about a woman. In addition to his lead vocal, Paul plays piano and drums. Once the outside musicians left, Paul re-recorded his lead vocal part, adding handclaps at the same time. After “Martha My Dear” was finished McC 13

artney turned his attention to “,” adding the line “now she’s hit the big time!”

The Beatles - Anna (Go To Him) – (Alexander) Lead vocal: John Recorded in three takes on February 11, 1963. Arthur Alexander’s original recording was released as a single in September 1962 on Dot Records. It did not crack the Top 40. The Beatles played this song live in 1962 and 1963. John sings “go with him” instead of “go to him” throughout the song. On U.S. albums: Introducing… The Beatles - Vee-Jay LP The Early Beatles - Capitol LP Live on the BBC, Vol. 2 (live) 14

The Beatles – Polythene Pam - Abbey Road Recorded July 25th w/ “She Came in Through The Bathroom Window “. The only Beatles song inspired by a woman in New Jersey who dressed in polythene (but not jack boots or kilts). Written in India, demoed for the White LP. Lennon 1.00 ALSO ON Anthology 3 Rock Band Mix

Joe Cocker – She Came In Through The Bathroom Window – Joe Cocker! 1969 A&M

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The Beatles - Something - Abbey Road (Harrison) Lead vocal: George The Beatles’ twenty-first single release for EMI, and fourth on the label. Although initially crediting Lennon and McCartney as the , legendary crooner Frank Sinatra called George Harrison’s “Something” “"the greatest love song of the past 50 years".[7 .” Commonly referred to as George’s first Beatles A-side, some sales chart makers at the time considered the single a “double-A,” as both sides of the record received significant radio airplay, and charted both “Something” and its flip side (John’s “”) as one combined chart listing. The song is the first of two CLASSIC songs George delivered for the “Abbey Road” album, the other being “Here Comes The Sun.” It was a phenomenal one-two punch that had to have Lennon and McCartney wondering what else Harrison had up his sleeve.

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ALSO ON Anthology 3 The Beatles 1+ (remixed) Rock Band Mix

John Lennon – Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox) - ‘74 Where “Bless You” was an ode to Yoko, “Surprise, Surprise” was an ode to . The track included Elton John on vocal – and also has an ode to “Drive My Car” at the end of the song.

The Beatles - Drive My Car - Rubber Soul (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: Paul and John The lead off track to Rubber Soul on the UK version was recorded on October 13, 1965. This session was the first in Beatles recording history to go past midnight. The music was written by Paul but he needed help with the lyrics. He and John worked through the song and came up with “baby you can drive my car” in place of temporary lyrics Paul was using (“you can give me golden rings”). “Drive my car” is an old expression for sex. The basic track was completed in four takes. Thanks to overdubbing, McCartney 16 plays bass, piano and (his Epiphone Casino). Paul provides the guitar solo in the song’s introduction, middle and ending. On U.S. album: Yesterday and Today - Capitol LP Rock Band Mix Love

NEWS HERE w/ Jackie DeShannon

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The Beatles - Penny Lane – US Single Promo 17

(Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul The Beatles’ fourteenth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label. Following the disastrous 1966 world tour the individual Beatles took control of their hectic schedule. They were no longer in a rush to do anything. In September 1966, Brian Epstein informed EMI and Capitol that there would be no new Beatles album, and quite possibly no single, ready in time for the 1966 Christmas season. EMI quickly assembled a 16-track greatest hits album (“A Collection Of Beatles Oldies”). In the U.S., Capitol did not release a hits compilation and instead waited impatiently for a new single. The band reconvened in late November to begin work on their next LP. With no deadlines, they simply brought in new songs as they dreamt them up.

Contains at least TWO slightly slang obscenities (“finger pie” and “keeps his fire engine clean”). On U.S. album: - Capitol LP The Beatles 1+ (remixed) US Single promo mix – (mono) Anthology 2

QUIZ #2 We lost former Apple artist and friend of John & Yoko this week…Name the John Lennon solo song with the lyric Up come a man with a guitar in his hand Singing, "Have a marijuana if you can" àHis name was David Peel And we found that he was realß 18

John Lennon – City – Some Time In ‘72 This is the best “rocker” of the LP and a testament to the love John felt for the place he would now call home.

George Harrison – Awaiting On You All - The Concert for Bangla Desh ‘71 19

Paul McCartney – I Saw Her Standing There (with Billy Joel) - Good Evening New York City ‘09

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JPG&R all recorded in New York City in honor of the late David Peel who we lost this week at 73….wanna hear another song recording in NYC here’s Paul & Linda McCartney w/ New York Philharmonic

Paul & Linda McCartney – The Back Seat of my Car – Ram ‘71 Originally played during the “Let it Be” sessions, Lennon again thought this song was about him with the lyrics, “We believe that we can’t be wrong.” This was intended to be more a Beach Boys style tune, which had nothing to do with 20

Lennon.

John Lennon – (Rough Mix) - Mind Games ‘73 Described as a “cacophony of sound,” Meat City is a fun, energetic track. It also contained a “backwards message” which John encouraged “an affinity for certain farm animals.”

JL without the New York Philharmonic

Lennon/McCartney recording in NYC 21

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Bumper/ The Beatles - And Your Bird Can Sing - Revolver (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John John Lennon called this fan favorite “another of my throwaways...fancy paper around an empty box.” On another occasion he simply referred to it as “another horror.” The song, written primarily by John, is notable mainly for the twin guitar riffs -- played live without overdubs by George Harrison and Paul McCartney -- that drive the song, and Paul’s distinctive bass notes at the end of the song. Lennon played the rhythm guitar in the D major position with the capo on the second fret to account for the song being in the key of E. John used the second fret capo several times ("Nowhere Man," "Julia," "Norwegian Wood," to name a few). Initial recording of the song commenced on April 20, 1966, with two takes being completed. Take 2 was deemed the best and various overdubs were added. While recording vocals John and Paul got a case of the giggles and laughed their way through much of the song. That hilarious version can be found on the “Anthology 2” compilation. On April 26, the band decided to scrap the previous version and start over from scratch, recording 11 takes. The term “bird” was British slang at the time for girl. Although Lennon never elaborated on the inspiration behind the lyrics, it is believed to refer to the rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Although the two groups were friends, Lennon saw the Stones as Beatles copyists, and the 'bird' in the title may have been ’s on-again, off-again girlfriend/muse Marianne Faithfull. The working title of the song was “You Don’t Get Me.” “And Your Bird Can Sing” was one of three songs issued in America six weeks prior to their official release in the UK. American and Canadian Beatles fans heard “I’m Only Sleeping,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” and “Doctor Robert” first on Capitol Records’ “Yesterday And Today” album, issued June 20, 1966. The rest of the world had to wait until the first week of August for them to appear on the “Revolver” LP. "And Your Bird Can Sing" was used as the theme song of The Beatles' cartoon series during its third season. On U.S. album: Yesterday And Today - Capitol LP Anthology 2 22

George Harrison – It’s Johnny’s Birthday - All Things Must Pass ‘70 Recorded in commemoration of John Lennon’s 30th birthday on October 9th. It was a little too close to Cliff Richards, “Congratulations,” which was the UK Eurovision Song Contest entry that year.

The Beatles - Birthday instrumental

*** DAVE -- I’ll Say BIRTHDAY’s over the instrumental of BIRTHDAY You lower the track after I ask, then I’ll read the birthdays…when 23

you hear a BELL and Lennon saying HAIL about 12 seconds before it ends put the volume back up to normal range for last few 10 seconds of track.

BREAK Lets go back to EMI 50 years ago Feb. 17th 1967 and listen in to what the lads were up to…

The Beatles - Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John Recorded February 17, 1967. The lyric of “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!” was derived almost entirely from a vintage poster purchased by John Lennon at an antique store in Sevenoaks, Kent, on January 31, 1967, while the Beatles were there filming the promotional clip for “Strawberry Fields Forever.” The poster advertised the February 14, 1843 performance of Pablo Fanque’s Circus Royal at Town-Meadows, Rochdale, Lancashire, and was hung proudly on the living room wall of Lennon’s Weybridge house. Paul: “We pretty much took it down word for word and then just made up some little bits and pieces to glue it together.” The backing track consisted of John on guide vocal, Paul on bass, Ringo on drums, George Harrison on tambourine, and George Martin on 24

harmonium. Because the harmonium is powered by pumping feet, the producer was exhausted after the rehearsals and seven takes. Features Paul on lead guitar. ALSO ON Rock Band Mix Anthology 2 Love

The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever - Non-LP track (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: John The Beatles’ fourteenth single release for EMI’s Parlophone label. Recording began on November 24, 1966. Written in Spain by John several months earlier while he was filming the Richard Lester-directed film “How I Won The War.” The beautiful “Take 1” of this Lennon classic can be heard on the “Anthology 2” album. It is entirely different than the finished version. Strawberry Fields was actually a Salvation Army home in the neighborhood where Lennon grew up. John used to go to parties there and it always brought back happy memories to him. One of the only two “honest” songs that John says he wrote for the Beatles. The other? “Help!”

In September 1966, Brian Epstein informed EMI and Capitol that there would be no new album and maybe not even a single ready in time for the 1966 Christmas season. EMI quickly assembled a 16-track greatest hits album (“A Collection Of Beatles Oldies”). In the U.S., Capitol did not release a hits compilation and instead waited impatiently for a new single.

Paul – Return To Pepperland – 1987

George Harrison – When We Was Fab (Harrison-Lynne) - Cloud Nine ‘87 While attending the Australian Grand Prix with Jeff Lynne in November 1986 – this track started out as “Aussie Fab.” George and Jeff would pull out the song every so often, tinkering with the sound and the now-famous piano riff (Jeff’s concept). “Ausie” was soon replaced with “When We Were,” which was then refined by to “When We Was.” To cement the “Fab” concept, Ringo added his first drumming contribution to a George record since “.” The song was released as the second single off the album, and did quite well, reaching the Top 25 in the Billboard charts.

2 from 1987 one released one NOT released from the then 20th Anniversary of Sgt. 25

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Paul McCartney & Wings – Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me) – ‘73 There is a great recount of the song’s genesis from actor, Dustin Hoffman, who was filming Papillion with Steve McQueen in Jamaica, where Paul was visiting on vacation. Dustin challenged Paul if he could write a song based on anything. Paul took the challenge, when Dustin offered the last words that Picasso spoke (as referenced in a Time Magazine article). As Dustin later said in an interview, “It’s right under childbirth in the terms of great events of my life!”

The Beatles - All Together Now - Yellow Submarine (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul In May 1967, with the “Sgt. Pepper” album in the can and awaiting release, the Beatles went to work on two projects at the same time. They began recording the title track for “Magical Mystery Tour” and also starting to record the new songs they had promised for the “Yellow Submarine” film. The first song specifically recorded for the “Yellow Submarine” film was “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” (on May 11, 1967), but that song was pulled several months later to fill the B-side of the “All You Need Is Love” single. George Harrison’s “Sgt. Pepper” reject “Only A Northern Song” was added to the stack of film songs. Paul’s sing-along “All Together Now” was started and finished on May 12, 1967. 26

Nine takes were recorded. Instruments included two acoustic guitars (probably Paul and George), bass guitar (Paul), bass drum (Ringo), harmonica and banjo (John). ALSO ON Yellow Submarine Yellow Submarine Songtrack Mix

The Beatles - Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - The Beatles (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: Paul Written by Paul while in Rishikesh, India. In ’ “Many Years From Now” Paul recalls walking through the Indian jungle near the Maharishi’s compound with his guitar singing “Ob-La,Di, Ob-La, Da, life goes on, bra,” taking the phrase from Jimmy Scott, a Nigerian conga player who had been a part of the London music scene since the 50s. In Scott’s native language, “Ob la di ob la da” is an expression meaning “life goes on.” Paul created characters for his story - Desmond and Molly and their barrow in a Caribbean marketplace. A barrow is a cart or small vehicle used to carry a load and pulled or pushed by hand.

Recording started on July 3, 1968, but would be worked on and re-worked virtually every day until mid-July. In one take Paul accidently reversed the roles of Desmond and Molly in the third verse and the error was purposely kept in the released version. The song went through multiple changes and a more reggae-flavored version can be heard on the “Anthology 3” album.

ALSO ON Anthology 3

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The Beatles - Two Of Us - Let It Be (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocals: Paul and John A Paul McCartney solo composition originally entitled “On Our Way Home.” Thought by many to be a song about John and Paul, "Two of Us" is actually a song written by Paul about himself and his soon-to-be wife, Linda Eastman. The lyrics are derived from various experiences where the two would get in the car with Paul's dog, Martha, and just drive in the countryside until they were lost. One particular day, Linda parked the car and went for a walk with her camera and Paul sat in the car and wrote the basic tune for the song. Paul introduced the song to the other Beatles during the January 1969 sessions in which the group was working up seven or eight new songs to include in a one-hour concert television special. At this time, “On Our Way Home” was not the Everly Brothers-styled acoustic version heard on the released album. Both John and producer Glyn Johns suggested to Paul that an acoustic arrangement might suit the song better, but McCartney was thinking in terms of how it might play in the concert TV special, so he wanted a fast song. On January 24, after numerous run-throughs that seemed to go nowhere, John again suggested they try it with acoustic guitars, and Paul agreed. The line-up was Paul on his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar, John on acoustic guitar, George on his Fender Telecaster (playing a bass part on the top strings) and Ringo on drums. The first performance with acoustic guitar featured a solo John vocal on the first verse. For the mixes submitted to Apple, Glyn Johns selected a January 24 take of the song (one without Lennon’s whistling at the end of the song). One of these non- whistling takes can be heard on the “Anthology 3” album. The version found on the “Let It Be” was the second performance of three (numbered Takes 10, 11, 12) on January 31. This is the performance shown in the “Let It Be” film. John’s opening dialog (“‘I Dig A Pygmy’ by Charles Hawtrey and the Deaf-aids. Phase one in which Doris gets her oats”) followed Ringo hitting his snare drum was recorded before the group played “I ” on January 21. Charles Hawtrey was a British actor and deaf-aids is British slang for hearing aids. American Beatles fans got their first glimpse of a bearded Paul McCartney and the Beatles performing “Two Of Us” when a clip of the song as seen in the “Let It Be” film was shown on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on March 1, 1970. ALSO ON Anthology 3 Let it Be …Naked