Recording: When I’m Sixty-Four

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Geoff Emerick

The Beatles hadn’t worked on ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ since 8 December 1966, but turned their attentions to it once again during this 7pm-1am session.

Three tracks of the four-track tape had been filled by the end of the previous session. On this evening, onto the fourth, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison added backing vocals while Ringo Starr played chimes.

Two reduction mixes were then made to free up new tracks. These mixes were numbered 3 and 4, with the latter being marked best. The bass, drums, piano and guitars were combined onto one track, leaving space for the clarinet overdub recorded on the following day.

Paul McCartney's handwritten lyrics for When I’m Sixty-Four

Last updated: 22 June 2023
Television: Reporting '66
Recording, mixing: When I'm Sixty-Four, Strawberry Fields Forever
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