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ABBEY ROAD -a thread for one of my absolute favourite beatles album!!
abbey road is the eleventh studio album by the beatles, released on 26 september 1969 by apple records. named after the studio, the cover features the group walking across the street's zebra crossing, an image that became one of the most famous and imitated in popular music.
paul is dead? - according to designer john kosh, “the reason is he kicked his shoes off because they were too tight”. he strolled around to the studios wearing sandals. he crossed the road a couple of times barefoot (personally i think the sandals were ugly anyway)
TRACK ONE - come together
written by john lennon and credited to lennon–mccartney. the song is the opening track and was also released as a single coupled with ‘something’ the song reached the top of the charts in the US and peaked at no.4 in the UK.
written by john lennon and credited to lennon–mccartney. the song is the opening track and was also released as a single coupled with ‘something’ the song reached the top of the charts in the US and peaked at no.4 in the UK.
TRACK TWO - something
written by george harrison, the band's lead guitarist, the first harrison composition to become a beatles a-side! due to the difficulty he faced in getting more than two of his compositions onto each beatles album, he first offered the song to joe cocker-
written by george harrison, the band's lead guitarist, the first harrison composition to become a beatles a-side! due to the difficulty he faced in getting more than two of his compositions onto each beatles album, he first offered the song to joe cocker-
-however it drew praise from the other beatles and their producer, george martin, with lennon stating that it was the best song on abbey road. the promotional film for the single combined footage of each of the beatles with their wives.
TRACK THREE - maxwells silver hammer
it was initially rehearsed during the get back sessions in january 1969. paul pressured his bandmates to work at length on the song. they were all vocal in their dislike of the song, ringo starr remembered it as "the worst session ever"
it was initially rehearsed during the get back sessions in january 1969. paul pressured his bandmates to work at length on the song. they were all vocal in their dislike of the song, ringo starr remembered it as "the worst session ever"
TRACK FOUR - oh! darling
written by paul - who came to the studio early every day for a week to sing it because his voice was too clear - he wanted it to sound strained. john hated that paul didn't let him sing lead vocals as he felt it was more his style.
written by paul - who came to the studio early every day for a week to sing it because his voice was too clear - he wanted it to sound strained. john hated that paul didn't let him sing lead vocals as he felt it was more his style.
TRACK FIVE - octopus’s garden
written by ringo starr. - george harrison, who helped him with the song, said ‘it's only the second song he has ever written, mind you, and it's lovely.’ he also added ‘it's so peaceful.’ + he wrote ‘cosmic songs’ ‘without even realising’
written by ringo starr. - george harrison, who helped him with the song, said ‘it's only the second song he has ever written, mind you, and it's lovely.’ he also added ‘it's so peaceful.’ + he wrote ‘cosmic songs’ ‘without even realising’
TRACK SIX - i want you (she’s so heavy)
written by john lennon, he wrote the song about his love for yoko ono. the song is an unusual beatles composition - as its length is almost eight minutes, it has minimal lyrics, and an abrupt ending.
written by john lennon, he wrote the song about his love for yoko ono. the song is an unusual beatles composition - as its length is almost eight minutes, it has minimal lyrics, and an abrupt ending.
TRACK SEVEN - here comes the sun
written by george harrison and is one of his best-known compositions for the beatles. the lyrics reflect his relief at the arrival of spring and the temporary respite he was experiencing from the band's business affairs-
written by george harrison and is one of his best-known compositions for the beatles. the lyrics reflect his relief at the arrival of spring and the temporary respite he was experiencing from the band's business affairs-
-as of september 2019, it was the most streamed beatles song on spotify globally, with over 350 million plays. the music video that was premiered in 2019 has 38 million views. - picture of the fan collage made last year (that i was in hehe)
TRACK EIGHT - because
written by john lennon(credited to lennon-mccartney). it begins with a distinctive electric harpsichord intro played by producer george martin. it was one of few beatles recordings to feature a moog synthesiser, played by george harrison.
written by john lennon(credited to lennon-mccartney). it begins with a distinctive electric harpsichord intro played by producer george martin. it was one of few beatles recordings to feature a moog synthesiser, played by george harrison.
TRACK NINE - you never give me your money
written by paul mccartney, when he was staying with his wife linda in new york in march 1969 shortly after their marriage. this was a break following the get back/let it be sessions.-
written by paul mccartney, when he was staying with his wife linda in new york in march 1969 shortly after their marriage. this was a break following the get back/let it be sessions.-
- paul added that the line "one sweet dream, pack up the bags, get in the limousine" was based on his trips in the country with linda to get away from the tense atmosphere with the beatles, though it was also believed it was nostalgic look at the beatles' touring years.
TRACK TEN - sun king
written primarily by john lennon and credited to lennon–mccartney, it is the second song of the album's climactic medley. the working title was ‘here comes the sun king’ but was shortened to "sun king" to avoid confusion with ‘here comes the sun’
written primarily by john lennon and credited to lennon–mccartney, it is the second song of the album's climactic medley. the working title was ‘here comes the sun king’ but was shortened to "sun king" to avoid confusion with ‘here comes the sun’
TRACK ELEVEN - mean mr mustard
mean mr mustard’ was based on a miserly man, john alexander mustard, about whom lennon had read in the daily mirror on 7th june 1967. mustard, a 65-year-old scotsman, had been taken to a divorce court by his wife due to his meanness.
mean mr mustard’ was based on a miserly man, john alexander mustard, about whom lennon had read in the daily mirror on 7th june 1967. mustard, a 65-year-old scotsman, had been taken to a divorce court by his wife due to his meanness.
TRACK TWELVE - polythene pam
written lennon and credited to lennon-mccartney, it is the fourth song of the album's side-two medley. the beatles recorded the track in july 1969 as a continuous piece with ‘she came in through the bathroom window’, which follows it in the medley.
written lennon and credited to lennon-mccartney, it is the fourth song of the album's side-two medley. the beatles recorded the track in july 1969 as a continuous piece with ‘she came in through the bathroom window’, which follows it in the medley.
TRACK THIRTEEN - she came in through the bathroom window
mccartney said the song was inspired by ‘apple scruffs’ (dedicated fans who hung around outside the abbey road studio, the apple corps offices, and the individual homes of the beatles)
mccartney said the song was inspired by ‘apple scruffs’ (dedicated fans who hung around outside the abbey road studio, the apple corps offices, and the individual homes of the beatles)
TRACK FOURTEEN - golden slumbers
written by paul mccartney, it is the sixth song of the album's climactic b-side medley. it is followed by ‘carry that weight’ and begins the progression that leads to the end of the album. -
written by paul mccartney, it is the sixth song of the album's climactic b-side medley. it is followed by ‘carry that weight’ and begins the progression that leads to the end of the album. -
- mccartney saw sheet music for ‘cradle song’ at his father's home in liverpool, left on a piano by his stepsister ruth. unable to read music, he created his own music. paul uses the first stanza of the original poem, with minor word changes.
TRACK FIFTEEN - carry that weight
written by paul, it is preceded by ‘golden slumbers’ and segues into ‘the end’. the middle bridge, featuring brass instruments, electric guitar and vocals, and reprises the beginning of ‘you never give me your money’, but with different lyrics
written by paul, it is preceded by ‘golden slumbers’ and segues into ‘the end’. the middle bridge, featuring brass instruments, electric guitar and vocals, and reprises the beginning of ‘you never give me your money’, but with different lyrics
TRACK SIXTEEN - the end
composed by paul mccartney and credited to lennon–mccartney. it was the last song recorded collectively by all four beatles, and is the final song of the medley that constitutes the majority of side two of the album. -
composed by paul mccartney and credited to lennon–mccartney. it was the last song recorded collectively by all four beatles, and is the final song of the medley that constitutes the majority of side two of the album. -
-all four beatles have a solo in ‘the end’, including a ringo starr drum solo. starr disliked solos, preferring to cater drumwork to whoever sang in a particular performance. mccartney, george harrison and lennon perform a rotating sequence of three, two-bar guitar solos
TRACK SEVENTEEN - her majesty
although credited to the band, mccartney is the only beatle to appear on the track. ‘her majesty" is the final cut on the album and appears 14 seconds after the previous song ‘he end,’ but was not listed on the original sleeve.
although credited to the band, mccartney is the only beatle to appear on the track. ‘her majesty" is the final cut on the album and appears 14 seconds after the previous song ‘he end,’ but was not listed on the original sleeve.
