UK Release date : Friday, November 22, 1968
The Beatles (Stereo)
By The Beatles • LP • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The original UK LPs”
Last updated on October 12, 2024
UK Release date : Friday, November 22, 1968
By The Beatles • LP • Part of the collection “The Beatles • The original UK LPs”
Last updated on October 12, 2024
Interview Nov 21, 1968 • Paul McCartney interview for Radio Luxembourg
Album Nov 22, 1968 • "The Beatles (Mono)" by The Beatles released in the UK
Album Nov 22, 1968 • "The Beatles (Stereo)" by The Beatles released in the UK
Album Nov 25, 1968 • "The Beatles (Stereo)" by The Beatles released in the US
Interview Nov 30, 1968 • Paul McCartney interview for New Musical Express (NME)
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
“The Beatles” double-album postponed by one week
Early November 1968
A TV ad project to promote “The Beatles” double-album is called off
End of October / early November 1968
“The Beatles” double-album is announced
Sep 28, 1968
Designing the packaging for the White Album
September - October 1968
2:44 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Piano, Vocals John Lennon : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion George Harrison : Backing vocals, Drums, Electric guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Six-string bass guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Aug 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 23, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:56 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums, Flugelhorn, Handclaps, Piano John Lennon : Backing vocals, Guitar, Tambourine, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Mal Evans : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Tambourine Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Jackie Lomax : Backing vocals, Handclaps John McCartney : Backing vocals, Handclaps
Session Recording: Aug 28, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Aug 29, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Aug 30, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:18 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Piano, Recorder Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Producer, Recorder Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Underwood : Viola Eldon Fox : Cello Eric Bowie : Violin Henry Datyner : Violin Reginald Kilbey : Cello Norman Lederman : Violin Ronald Thomas : Violin Keith Cummings : Viola
Session Recording: Sep 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 12, 13, 16 - 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session String overdubs: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
3:09 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass part on distorted acoustic guitar, Handclaps, Percussion, Vocals Ringo Starr : Conga drum, Drums, Handclaps, Maracas, Percussion John Lennon : Backing vocals, Handclaps, Piano George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Handclaps George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Rex Morris : Saxophone James Gray : Saxophone Cyril Reuben : Saxophone
Session Recording: Jul 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
0:53 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Drums, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
3:14 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass Ringo Starr : Backing vocals, Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals George Martin : Producer Yoko Ono : Backing vocals, Vocals Chris Thomas : Mellotron Ken Scott : Recording engineer Maureen Starkey : Backing vocals
Session Recording: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
4:45 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Maracas, Tambourine John Lennon : Bass guitar George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Hammond organ, Vocals George Martin : Producer Eric Clapton : Lead guitar Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Sep 05, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 06, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:45 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Lead vocal, Organ George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead electric guitar Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Sep 24, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 25, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:29 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Handclaps, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Electric guitar George Martin : Producer Tony Tunstall : French horn Leo Birnbaum : Viola Leon Calvert : Flugelhorn, Trumpet Reginald Kilbey : Cello Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Bernard Miller : Violin Dennis McConnell : Violin Lou Sofier : Violin Les Maddox : Violin Henry Myerscough : Viola Frederick Alexander : Cello Stanley Reynolds : Trumpet Ronnie Hughes : Trumpet Ted Barker : Trombone Alf Reece : Tuba
Session Recording: Oct 04, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
2:04 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Electric piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar, Organ, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:18 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Foot taps, Lead vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Jun 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
2:04 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Harmony vocals Ringo Starr : Kick drum, Tambourine John Lennon : Harmony vocals, Tape loops George Harrison : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Harpsichord, Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer John Underwood : Viola Eldon Fox : Cello Eric Bowie : Violin Henry Datyner : Violin Reginald Kilbey : Cello Norman Lederman : Violin Ronald Thomas : Violin Keith Cummings : Viola
Session Recording: Sep 19, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:33 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Accordion, Backing vocals, Harmonica, Six-string bass George Harrison : Backing vocals George Martin : Piano, Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Aug 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Written by Ringo Starr
3:51 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Drums, Piano Ringo Starr : Percussion, Piano, Sleigh bell, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Jack Fallon : Violin
Session Recording: Jun 05, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 06, Jun 12, Jul 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Why Don't We Do It In The Road?
1:41 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitar, Bass, Handclaps, Lead guitar, Piano, Producer, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps Ken Townsend : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Oct 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 16-17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
1:46 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : 'sung bass', Acoustic guitars, Backing vocal, Lead vocal Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Maracas, Skulls Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Sep 16, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:57 • Studio version • A • Stereo
John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:43 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass guitar, Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Handclaps John Lennon : Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar, Tambourine Mal Evans : Handclaps Yoko Ono : Backing vocals Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Pattie Boyd / Harrison : Backing vocals
Session Recording: Sep 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Sep 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
4:01 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Aug 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
2:48 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Acoustic guitars, Bass drum, Percussion, Vocals George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Unknown musician(s) : Two trombones, Two trumpets
Session Recording: Aug 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 20, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
2:25 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hand bell, Maracas Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Jun 27, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 01, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 23, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:15 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Guitar, Hammond organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Tambourine George Martin : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Aug 13, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Aug 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
4:30 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Electric guitar, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Piano, Tenor saxophone George Harrison : Backing vocals, Electric guitar Mal Evans : Trumpet Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Sep 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 10, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 12, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Written by George Harrison
3:06 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hammond organ Ringo Starr : Drums George Harrison : Acoustic guitars, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Piano Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Oct 07, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 08, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Oct 09, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
4:16 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Hammond organ, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Backing vocals, Lead guitar George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Yoko Ono : Backing vocals, Electronic sound effects Derek Watkins : Trumpet Freddy Clayton : Trumpet Rex Morris : Trombone Peter Bown : Recording engineer Francie Schwartz : Backing vocals Don Lang : Trombone J. Power : Trombone Bill Povey : Trombone
Session Recording: May 30, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: May 31 & Jun 4, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 25, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:41 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Piano, Vocals Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar George Harrison : Bass George Martin : Producer Dennis Walton : Saxophone Rex Morris : Saxophone Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Ronald Chamberlain : Saxophone Jim Chester : Saxophone Harry Klein : Saxophone Raymond Newman : Clarinet David Smith : Clarinet
Session Recording: Oct 01, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 02, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 04, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Mixing: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Written by George Harrison
2:55 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass guitar, Bongos, Harmony vocals Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine George Harrison : Lead guitar, Vocals George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Electric piano, Organ Ken Scott : Recording engineer Barry Sheffield : Recording engineer Harry Klein : Baritone saxophone Art Ellefson : Tenor saxophone Danny Moss : Tenor saxophone Derek Collins : Tenor saxophone Ronnie Ross : Baritone saxophone Bernard George : Baritone saxophone
Session Recording: Oct 03, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 05, 1968 • Studio Trident Studios, London, UK
Session Overdubs: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs & mixing: Oct 14, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Medley
2:44 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Guitar, Piano, Whistling Ringo Starr : Drums, Tambourine John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Piano, Vocals, Whistling George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Harmonium, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Jul 16, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 18, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 15, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
2:22 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Vocals Ringo Starr : Maracas John Lennon : Percussion Giles Martin : Mixing engineer, Producer Chris Thomas : Producer Ken Scott : Engineer
Session Recording: Sep 16, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 16-17, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
8:22 • Studio version • A • Stereo
John Lennon : Effects, Producer, Samples, Tape loops, Vocals George Harrison : Samples, Vocals George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Yoko Ono : Effects, Samples, Vocals
Session Recording: May 30, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jun 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 21, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 25, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
3:14 • Studio version • B • Stereo
Ringo Starr : Vocals George Martin : Celesta, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Ken Scott : Recording engineer Pat Whitmore : Backing vocals Irene King : Backing vocals Fred Lucas : Backing vocals Mike Redway : Backing vocals Peter Bown : Recording engineer Ingrid Thomas : Backing vocals Val Stockwell : Backing vocals Ross Gilmour : Backing vocals Ken Barrie : Backing vocals Unknown musician(s) : Clarinet, Double bass, French horn, Harp, Three cellos, Three flutes, Three violas, Twelve violins, Vibraphone The Mike Sammes Singers : Backing vocals
Session Recording: Jul 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Jul 22, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Oct 11, 1968 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Paul McCartney, in the Anthology book:
I think it was a very good album. It stood up, but it wasn’t a pleasant one to make. Then again, sometimes those things work for your art. The fact that it’s got so much on it is one of the things that’s cool about it. The songs are very varied. I think it’s a fine album.
I don’t remember the reaction. Now I release records and I watch to see who likes it and how it does. But with The Beatles, I can’t ever remember scouring the charts to see what number it had come in at. I assume we hoped that people would like it. We just put it out and got on with life. A lot of our friends liked it and that was mainly what we were concerned with. If your mates liked it, the boutiques played it and it was played wherever you went – that was a sign of success for us.
[…]
Now John had to have Yoko there. I can’t blame him, they were intensely in love – in the first throes of the first passions – but it was fairly off-putting having her sitting on one of the amps. You wanted to say, ‘Excuse me, love – can I turn the volume up?’ We were always wondering how to say: ‘Could you get off my amp?’ without interfering with their relationship.
It was a very difficult time. I felt that when John finally left the group he did it to clear the decks for his relationship. Anything prior to that meant the decks weren’t clear – he had all his Beatle baggage; all his having to relate to us. He just wanted to go off into the corner and look into Yoko’s eyes for hours, saying to each other, ‘It’s going to be all right.’ It was pretty freaky when we were trying to make a track.
Looking at it now you can be amused by it, and it was quite a laugh, really. But at the time, this was us and it was our careers. We were The Beatles, after all, and here was this girl… It was like we were her courtiers, and it was very embarrassing. The White Album was a very tense one to make.
Paul McCartney in "Many Years From Now", by Barry Miles:
I wrote quite a few songs in Rishikesh and John came up with some creative stuff. George actually once got quite annoyed and told me off because I was trying to think of the next album. He said, ‘We’re not fucking here to do the next album, we’re here to meditate!’ It was like, ‘Ohh, excuse me for breathing!’ You know. George was quite strict about that, George can still be a little that way, and it’s like, ‘Oh come on, George, you don’t have a monopoly on thought in this area. I’m allowed to have my own views on the matter.’I was doing a song, I Will, that I had as a melody for quite a long time but I didn’t have lyrics to it. I remember sitting around with Donovan, and maybe a couple of other people. We were just sitting around one evening after our day of meditation and I played him this one and he liked it and we were trying to write some words. We kicked around a few lyrics, something about the moon, but they weren’t very satisfactory and I thought the melody was better than the words so I didn’t use them. I kept searching for better words and I wrote my own set in the end.
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