Sunday, April 20, 1969
Recording and mixing "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", "Oh! Darling"
For The Beatles
Last updated on December 28, 2021
Sunday, April 20, 1969
For The Beatles
Last updated on December 28, 2021
Feb 22 - Aug 25, 1969 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Abbey Road
Recording studio: EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Article Apr 17, 1969 • "Get Back" promo film broadcast in the UK
Session Apr 18, 1969 • Recording and mixing "Old Brown Shoe", "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
Session Apr 20, 1969 • Recording and mixing "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", "Oh! Darling"
Session Apr 25, 1969 • Mixing "Two Of Us"
Session Apr 26, 1969 • Recording "Oh! Darling", "Octopus's Garden"
AlbumSome of the songs worked on during this session were first released on the "Abbey Road" LP
On this day, from 7 pm to 12:45 am, work continued on John Lennon’s “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and the basic track of Paul McCartney’s “Oh! Darling” was recorded.
“I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” had been recorded at Trident Studios from February 22 to 24. The Beatles had added some overdubs on April 18. On this day, conga drums played by Ringo Starr and a Hammond organ played by Billy Preston were overdubbed onto what was called take 1 (on track six).
At this stage, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” was considered complete but John decided to add more overdubs on August 8, 1969.
“Oh! Darling” had been rehearsed numerous times (on January 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 22, 23, 27 and 31) during the “Get Back” sessions in January 1969. On this day, The Beatles decided to properly record it.
They recorded 26 takes of the backing track, with Paul on piano (track four) and guide vocals (track six), John on guitar (track five), George Harrison on bass (track one), Billy Preston on organ on some of the takes (track three) and Ringo on drums (track two).
Take four, with Billy Preston on organ, was released on “Abbey Road (50th anniversary boxset)” in 2019.
Take 26 was deemed the best. The first overdubs would be added on April 26, wiping Billy Preston’s organ in the process.
At the end of the session, a stereo mix was made in the control room for Paul to review.
Recording • SI onto take 1
Recording • Take 1
Recording • Take 2
Recording • Take 3
Recording • Take 4
AlbumOfficially released on Abbey Road (50th anniversary boxset)
Recording • Take 5
Recording • Take 6
Recording • Take 7
Recording • Take 8
Recording • Take 9
Recording • Take 10
Recording • Take 11
Recording • Take 12
Recording • Take 13
Recording • Take 14
Recording • Take 15
Recording • Take 16
Recording • Take 17
Recording • Take 18
Recording • Take 19
Recording • Take 20
Recording • Take 21
Recording • Take 22
Recording • Take 23
Recording • Take 24
Recording • Take 25
Recording • Take 26
Mixing • Stereo mixing - Remix 1 from take 26
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions • Mark Lewisohn
The definitive guide for every Beatles recording sessions from 1962 to 1970.
We owe a lot to Mark Lewisohn for the creation of those session pages, but you really have to buy this book to get all the details - the number of takes for each song, who contributed what, a description of the context and how each session went, various photographies... And an introductory interview with Paul McCartney!
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.
If we modestly consider the Paul McCartney Project to be the premier online resource for all things Paul McCartney, it is undeniable that The Beatles Bible stands as the definitive online site dedicated to the Beatles. While there is some overlap in content between the two sites, they differ significantly in their approach.
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