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Home > Beatles diary > Studio > Recording: Eight Days A Week

Recording: Eight Days A Week

3.00pm, Tuesday 6 October 1964 (47 years ago)

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

The Beatles spent the day working on Eight Days A Week, a song which appeared on the UK album Beatles For Sale. At this early stage, however, the group was considering releasing it as their next single.

There were two scheduled recording sessions, from 3-6.45pm and 7-10pm. During the first one they recorded six takes of Eight Days A Week, although in this early stage the arrangement was subject to a number of experiments.

By the sixth date The Beatles had an arrangement they were satisfied with, and onto this basic track they added a number of overdubs including double-tracked vocals. They continued work on the song in the second recording session, adding new elements in takes numbered 7-13.

Session tapes show that in between takes of the song, John Lennon played around with the guitar riff from I Feel Fine. The song was recorded on 18 October.

Eight Days A Week is believed to be the first pop song to feature a faded-in introduction. This was added during a mixing session at a later date; the instrumental coda was also recorded after this day.

After the recording sessions were over, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr went to London's Ad Lib club, where they spent time with Cilla Black, Mick Jagger and The Ronettes.

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Also on this day...

  • 1969: US single release: Something/Come Together
  • 1967: Recording: Blue Jay Way
  • 1963: Live: Carlton Theatre, Kirkcaldy
  • 1960: Live: Kaiserkeller, Hamburg

Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.

Related articles:

  • Eight Days A Week
  • Radio: Top Gear
  • Mixing: What You're Doing, Honey Don't, Mr Moonlight, Every Little Thing, Eight Days A Week
  • Recording: Eight Days A Week, Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!, Mr Moonlight, I Feel Fine, I'll Follow The Sun, Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby, Rock And Roll Music, Words Of Love
  • Recording: Every Little Thing, I Don't Want To Spoil The Party, What You're Doing

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