Recording "It's All Too Much"

On May 25 and May 31, 1967, The Beatles began recording “It’s All Too Much,” a George Harrison composition, which would be used for the soundtrack of the “Yellow Submarine” animation film, at the independent De Lane Lea Studios. On June 1, they returned to De Lane Lea for a jam session.

On this day, for their fourth night at the studio, The Beatles collaborated with five additional musicians to record the horn section for “It’s All Too Much.” George Martin, absent from the earlier sessions, was present and conducted the players.

David Mason, who had previously played the solo on “Penny Lane,” played trumpet, while three other trumpet players and Paul Harvey on bass clarinet completed the horn section. The instruments were added to Take 2 of the song.

George Harrison was in charge of that session. I don’t think he really knew what he wanted.

David Mason – From “The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions” by Mark Lewisohn, 1988

With the horn section recorded, the recording of “It’s All Too Much” was completed. The mixing process would begin three months later on October 12, still at De Lane Lea Studios.

During this session, The Beatles also filled two tape reels with unstructured instrumental jamming, as they had on the previous evening.

Friday, June 2, 1967 – Cynthia sent my father’s letter with the check inside it to me — thank God! (If you can believe it, I wrote my father and put John’s address instead of mine in the letter — I was certain everybody on the planet had to know his address by heart. My dad thought I’d moved again and sent a letter and check there and a telegram to my “old” address to let me know. Do I need to say how I felt when I got the telegram? I phoned Cyn and asked her to please send it to me. I told her I’d moved and my dad didn’t know my address but knew I’d be around John somewhere (a dirty lie))

Paula came here to listen to the new album — she loved it, of course! Spent the afternoon at Cavendish, as usual — it was pouring down with rain. John arrived in the Rolls that is now all painted yellow with lots of flowers, and it’s really beautiful! George was with him. Paul opened the front door to greet them. Some girls rushed inside the gates, which infuriated Paul, who said, “Get out, come on!” with his right finger pointed at them. He was really upset and called the cops. John was wearing a red coat and pink corduroy trousers. Paula went to EMI, and the doorman told her as a secret that they would be recording there on the 7th, 8th, and 9th.

Saturday June 3, 1967 – Paula met me at Cavendish in the afternoon. “Stick” told us to leave twice. Millie (the housekeeper) told us Paul was home and had a bit of a cold. A couple we had never seen got in the house. A taxi stopped in front of the house, the gates opened, and Paul came out in the Aston. It was about 9:30pm. Jane had her hair tied back and a navy-blue dress, and she didn’t sit beside Paul. There were other people in the car. Paul turned the car lights on and kept looking back. We left, and I came back home and worked on my scrapbook on John.

Lizzie Bravo – Beatles fan – From Meet the Beatles for Real: Sleepless Nights by Lizzie Bravo (final installment), from “With a Little Help From My Friends”, January 1985

Session activities

1. It's All Too Much

   Written by George Harrison

   Recording • SI onto take 2

2. Untitled

   Recording • No numbered takes

Staff

Musicians on "It's All Too Much"

Production staff

Going further

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