Recorded as an introduction to Ringo Starr’s composition ‘Don’t Pass Me By’, ‘A Beginning’ remained unissued until 1996, when it appeared on Anthology 3.
Following ‘Free As A Bird’ and ‘Real Love’, The Beatles had intended to release a third reunion single, an adaptation of a 1970s John Lennon demo called ‘Now And Then’. However, George Harrison was reportedly unhappy with the group’s progress made on it, and it was shelved until its release in 2023.
In its place, ‘A Beginning’ appeared as the first track on Anthology 3. It also appeared in the Yellow Submarine film, just before the ‘Eleanor Rigby’ sequence.
With little or no involvement from The Beatles, ‘A Beginning’ was composed and scored by George Martin, and recorded on 22 July 1968, using the same orchestra that appeared on Good Night’.
An edit combining take four of ‘A Beginning’ and take seven of ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ was released in 2018 on the super deluxe edition of the 50th anniversary reissue of the White Album.
Yes “A Beginning” does appear in the Yellow Submarine film, which calls into question when it was recorded and for what purpose. Yellow Submarine premiered in London on July 17 1968, five days before the supposed date of this recording session!! Did George Martin record it twice?
That’s a very interesting question, and I’m afraid I don’t have the answer. Could it be that the recording was inserted into a later print of the film? I know different edits were made over the years (eg the Hey Bulldog sequence wasn’t shown in some countries) – if anyone has an original 1968 print of the film I’d be interested to know.
it is actually in the original film print, i have a VHS copy of it
Regards
As you may know, music recorded specifically for a film soundtrack & music recorded for the soundtrack album can be two different recordings. In this case, if I remember correctly, the release of the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album was delayed because George Martin wanted to re-record his side of the album. If that’s true, then maybe “A Beginning” is part of those re-recordings.
When I was just listening to the song, my head was saying yellow submarine, yellow submarine and I was like oh! It’s kinda strange that it was on their album because George Martin wrote it and I don’t think any of the members of the beatles were playing any of the instruments
Without any proof I will definitively say this was influenced by Days of Future Passed
It probably was recorded twice. Martin probably had written the main theme well before it was considered for use in either of the 1968 releases, and tried to press it into double-duty.
Would it be possible to listen to the work they did on Now & Then someday? It would be great to have something like The Other Anthology, with all the takes, mixes, and things that eventually they decided to leave out of the project.
I swear. I recall hearing George Martin voiceover this song on my old Anthology CD “we’ve got a chance and we’ll take it”, but the versions available online are strictly instrumental. Am I crazy?
You may be crazy, but all signs point to no. The track you are referring to was a delightful diddy from the 1979 Wing’s LP Back to the Egg titled “The Broadcast”.
Is it known if the version on Anthology the original mix or a 1990s remix? I’m not sure if the version in the 50th box is a different one or not