Recording Order

[beefandbones]

I recently compiled all the Beatles studio recordings that I could locate (album tracks, Anthology studio tracks, and boots) into chronological order of recording and put it on my iPod. It's really been fascinating listening to their work this way.

For one instance, I've always thought it odd that they began working on the relatively austere 'When I'm 64' after throwing everything but the kitchen sink into 'Strawberry Fields Forever'. But the initial seven takes of SFF that preceded 64 are quite simple, almost wistful versions, and 'When I'm 64' makes perfect sense as a compliment to it, in both mood and production.

Once they re-made SFF with cellos, brass and those wild drums, Paul responded with 'Penny Lane' which is similarly ornate. I've found myself wondering how Sgt. Pepper might have turned out if they'd stuck to the initial, more spartan soundscapes they'd created for SFF and 64.

Also, I've enjoyed listening to the order in which they recorded songs for the white album. I wonder why they chose to record songs when they did. For example, "Everybody's Got Something to Hide..." was the fifth track they began for the album. And it's a fine song, I suppose, but with most of the white album songs having been demoed already, why did they choose that one of John's? Did they already know at this point they were making a double album, or did John really rate it highly enough to record it for inclusion on a 14-track album?

Also, it seems odd that as a band they began working on the first of George's five contributions two whole months after they started Ringo's 'Don't Pass Me By.' And it's doubly strange that the song was 'Not Guilty' (if you don't count the solo acoustic 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' recorded the week before).

And so on. Anyway, listening to the familiar sounds of the Beatles in this new context really brought up some new observations and questions for me to ponder while I'm on my way to work or out for a walk. I highly recommend trying this if you can.

[jt10824]

Just the fact that they chose to record "Don't Pass Me By" so early on in the White Album sessions is fascinating to me, since they normally did the obligatory Ringo track last (or near last). With so many great songs from the other three waiting in the wings, why was Ringo's little ditty given priority??

It's also interesting to note that most of their album sessions began with a Lennon song -- apparently he was never shy about pushing to the head of the line.

[hozy]

Didn't Ringo walk out around this time? Maybe he had just came back and they wanted him to feel that his songs were important too.

[wj350]

I just picked "Revolution In The Head"--the insights on the recordings and the order are really fascinating.

Bill

[wayang]

So when did they record Ringo's other little ditty, "Good Night"...?

[beatlefreak]

Probably the reason "Don't Pass Me By" was given priority is that it was the first song Ringo wrote.

[winston]

This thread is very interesting. Thanks Ethan for starting it off.

[glass_onion]

ive always thought that they worked on dont pass me by early on to make ringo happy after his walk out.

[jt10824]

No, according to the Lewisohn book Ringo walked out a couple of months later. Perhaps problems with Ringo were already brewing. They started work on "Goodnight" early on in the sessions, too.

Kris, you're right about "Don't Pass Me By" being Ringo's first song -- in fact, one of their early Christmas records (I think from 1964) has Ringo singing it in the background, and you hear him trying to "sell" the others on the idea of recording it... only to be received with groans and laughter. Obviously it was something they were discussing doing for many years.