Mixing "This Boy", "Day Tripper", "We Can Work It Out"

This session was the last of four mixing sessions to create missing stereo versions of some Beatles’ songs, for inclusion on the compilation “A Collection of Beatles Oldies” (released in December 1966). The three other sessions were held on October 31, November 7 and November 8. None of those sessions was attended by The Beatles.

George Martin was absent from this session, so engineer Peter Bown oversaw the mixing of three songs.

The first song mixed was “This Boy” from 1963. But this was the result of a misunderstanding. When the track listing of the compilation was communicated from EMI’s headquarters at London’s Manchester Square to EMI Studios at Abbey Road, “Bad Boy” was mistakenly called “This Boy“. Two stereo mixes were done from Take 15 and 17 but never used.

“Day Tripper” was worked next. A stereo mix had been made on October 26, 1965, but was not considered good enough.

The third song worked on was “We Can Work It Out“. A previous stereo mix had been created on November 10, 1965, but had been scrapped on August 6, 1966. So a new stereo mix was required.

BEST COLLECTION EVER

Parlophone are to release a special Beatles album in time for the Christmas rush. Titled “Oldies”, it must contain the most fantastic collection of hit tunes ever to be gathered together in two long grooves. The only title which has not been released before in this country is “Bad Boy”, an up-tempo number written by Larry Williams. It was recorded at E.M.I., St. John’s Wood, on May 10th, 1965, and was released on Capitol Record’s album, “Beatles Six”. Full list of titles and original release dates: “She Loves You” (August 1963), “From Me To You” (April 1963), “We Can Work It out” (December 1965), “Help” (July 1965), “Michelle” (From “Rubber Soul”, L.P. December 1965), “Yesterday” (From “Help”, L.P. August 1965), “I Feel Fine” (November 1964), “Yellow Submarine” (August 1966), “Can’t Buy Me Love” (March 1964), “Bad Boy” (December 1966), “Day Tripper” (December 1965), “A Hard Day’s Night” (July 1964), “Ticket To Ride” (April 1965), “Paperback Writer” (June 1966), “Eleanor Rigby” (August 1966), “I Want To Hold Your Hand” (November 1963).

From Beatles Monthly Book – December 1966

Session activities

1. This Boy

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remixes 1 and 2, from takes 15 and 17

2. Day Tripper

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 2, from take 3

   AlbumOfficially released on A Collection of Beatles Oldies (Stereo)

3. We Can Work It Out

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 2 from take 2

   AlbumOfficially released on A Collection of Beatles Oldies (Stereo)

4. This Boy

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Editing • Editing of stereo remixes 1 and 2

Staff

Production staff

Going further

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