Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 17, 19 April 1966
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Released: 5 August 1966 (UK), 20 June 1966 (US)
John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonium
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar, maracas
Ringo Starr: drums
Available on:
Revolver
Doctor Robert, written mainly by John Lennon, is notable for containing The Beatles' first explicit references to drugs, although at the time of release they went largely unnoticed.
John Lennon later described the song as autobiographical.
Doctor Robert was another of mine. Mainly about drugs and pills. It was about myself: I was the one that carried all the pills on tour and always have done. Well, in the early days. Later on the roadies did it, and we just kept them in our pockets loose, in case of trouble.
Anthology
Although many in London thought the titular doctor referred to art dealer Robert Fraser, it was actually written about Dr Robert Freymann, who ran a discreet clinic on Manhattan's East 78th Street.
Known as Dr Robert or the Great White Father, Freymann had a reputation for giving vitamin B-12 injections containing large doses of amphetamines, mainly to well-heeled New Yorkers.
Word spread of his willingness with prescriptions, eventually finding its way to Lennon and McCartney on one of their American trips.
John and I thought it was a funny idea: the fantasy doctor who would fix you up by giving you drugs, [the song] was a parody on that idea. It's just a piss-take. As far as I know, neither of us ever went to a doctor for those kinds of things. But there was a fashion for it and there still is. Change your blood and have a vitamin shot and you'll feel better.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
In the studio
The Beatles began recording Doctor Robert on Sunday 17 April 1966. The laid down seven takes of just the backing track: lead and rhythm guitar, bass and drums, plus overdubbed maracas, harmonium and piano. The vocals were added two days later.
Related articles:
- Recording: Doctor Robert
- Mixing: Doctor Robert, I'm Only Sleeping, And Your Bird Can Sing
- Recording, mixing: Doctor Robert
- I Want To Tell You
- Mixing, editing: Love You To, I Want To Tell You, Here, There And Everywhere, For No One, Doctor Robert, Taxman
George does sing backing on this song. Listen closely to, "Well, well, well, you're feeling fine..." and you'll hear his voice there.
In Youtube, some says that the speed is altered. But they don't know that the original speed is the released.
I would agree that George is on backing vocals as well.
I think you're right. I've amended the line-up as it seems likely.
We hear the basic track of Rickenbacker bass, drums, maracas and distorted guitar. Overdubs include John’s harmonium and an ovedubbed Leslied lead guitar from George that has its signal split with one half receiving ADT.
John’s lead and Paul’s descant vocals were added to the fourth track with ADT added.
ADT was also added in the final mix and a fade out given to a full ending to mask an extended jam of forty-three seconds that completed the original recording.
Is it true that in one version there is something hard to hear during the fade-out, like maybe the "Herb" thingy?
I'd always thought that this song, with obvious references to drugs, was like a homage to those who introduced the Beatles to a new and "another kind of mind", for the inspiration that gave them and for what they created after that. They being, the DOCTOR (dentist) who first gave them LSD, and ROBERT (Zimmerman) who first shared with the fab four the well accepted (by them) cannabis. This idea, though Lennon says the song is about him, at least would explain the title.
Hey, that's a nice interpretation! And it might even help to suggest why they apparently sing "Bob Robert" a couple of times near the song's end.
Here you go, folks. John featured very prominently on guitar. Maybe not technically stellar or pyrotechnic - but a great sound and tone. Very Lennon. I've always been in awe of John's playing. He takes simple and gives it a bigger sound. BB King doesn't play phenomenally complicated anything either - but that sound.