Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 25, 28, 30 July 1969
Producer: George Martin
Engineers: Geoff Emerick, Phil McDonald
Released: 26 September 1969 (UK), 1 October 1969 (US)
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass, lead guitar, piano, electric piano
John Lennon: backing vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, handclaps
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine, maracas, cowbell
Available on:
Abbey Road
Anthology 3
A song about the 'Apple scruffs' that held vigil outside the group's headquarters, Abbey Road Studios and the members' homes, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window was written by Paul McCartney and first released as part of the long medley on Abbey Road.
The song is believed to have been based on an incident involving some fans who took a ladder from McCartney's garden, climbed into his house in Cavendish Avenue, London, and stole a precious picture, possibly of his father.
We found a ladder in his garden and stuck it up at the bathroom window which he'd left slightly open. I was the one who climbed up and got in.
A Hard Day's Write, Steve Turner
Some of the Scruffs are said to have known where McCartney kept a key to his house, and took turns to look around inside. The more daring of the set took mementos from the scene until McCartney became wise to the losses.
There were really two groups of Apple Scruffs - those who would break in and those who would just wait outside with cameras and autograph books. I used to take Paul's dog for a walk and got to know him quite well...
I knew there was one picture he particularly wanted back - a colour-tinted picture of him in a Thirties frame. I knew who had taken this and got it back for him.
A Hard Day's Write, Steve Turner
McCartney's neighbours attempted to contact him when they realised the break-ins were taking place, inspiring the lines "Sunday's on the phone to Monday, Tuesday's on the phone to me."
Another version of the tale was revealed by the Moody Blues. Their former keyboard player Mike Pinder claimed that a groupie climbed through an open bathroom window and spent the night with band member Ray Thomas. Pinder and Thomas are said to have told McCartney about the incident the next day, who began strumming on a guitar and improvised the opening line.
In 1980 John Lennon said that the song was written while he and McCartney were in New York in 1968.
That was written by Paul when we were in New York forming Apple, and he first met Linda. Maybe she's the one who came in the window. She must have. I don't know. Somebody came in the window.
Playboy, 1980
Lennon and McCartney were in New York in May 1968 to announce the formation of Apple Corps. In October that year, when the White Album had been completed, McCartney flew to the city once again to see Linda Eastman.
And the end of his two-week stay, McCartney was in a taxi heading to JFK airport. At the time he needed a final verse for She Came In Through The Bathroom Window, and noticed the driver's police identification panel on the dashboard. The ID had a photograph of the driver, along with the name Eugene Quits, above the words 'New York Police Dept.'
So I got 'So I quit the police department', which are part of the lyrics to that. This was the great thing about the randomness of it all. If I hadn't been in this guy's cab, or if it had been someone else driving, the song would have been different. Also I had a guitar there so I could solidify it into something straight away.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
The end of She Came In Through The Bathroom Window brings a pause in the Abbey Road medley. The song concludes a song cycle that begins with Sun King, and continues with Mean Mr Mustard and Polythene Pam.
A slower version, meanwhile, can be found on Anthology 3. This was recorded on 22 January 1969 during the Get Back sessions at Apple Studios.
In the studio
Polythene Pam and She Came In Through The Bathroom Window were recorded as one on 25 July 1969. They taped 39 takes of the songs' basic track, which featured McCartney on bass, Lennon on 12-string acoustic rhythm guitar, Harrison on lead guitar and Starr and drums. Lennon and McCartney also sang guide vocals for the songs where needed.
During the same session they added lead vocals and re-recorded the drums and bass parts.
On 28 July they added a range of overdubs to the two songs, including more lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, tambourine and other percussion, electric and acoustic piano. Recording was concluded on 30 July with the addition of percussion and guitar overdubs.
Related articles:
- Recording: Sun King, Mean Mr Mustard, Come Together, Polythene Pam, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
- Recording: Polythene Pam, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
- Polythene Pam
- Mixing, editing: Sun King, Mean Mr Mustard, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Polythene Pam, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window, You Never Give Me Your Money
- Recording: Across The Universe
That is not Paul McCartney playing lead. It's George.
I've read conflicting reports. Some even say that George is on bass as well as lead (not at the same time, obviously!). As a safeguard I put them both on lead guitar, unless I can find definitive confirmation one way or another.
"In New York, McCartney is said to have been given protection by an NYPD officer named Eugene Quits, who found his name alluded to in the line "And so I quit the police department"."
Actually, according to Paul in either Anthology or Many Years From Now, Eugene Quits was the name of the man who drove a taxi he and Linda took at one point, and the words "Police Department" were on the license, which was hanging from the rearview mirror.
So it is. Thanks for that. It's in Many Years From Now, in the White Album chapter (page 521 in my copy). I'll amend the article.
This is a great song on this album. The shortest songs on here are the best ones.
The guitar work in this song is so beautiful to me. It sounds like it is from somewhere else in the universe. It seems to be counter pointing the lyrics. Just fantastic. Great song.
I can't remember the exact interview (7 months ago) but during the interview I believe Ringo Starr stated this to be his favorite Beatles song.
In the very beginning of the song, before he says "Oh look out" what's beind said there? I can't tell and lyrics sites only start at "oh look out". Any help? Thanks!
To me, it's everything between "Oh, listen to that now" and "Don't listen to that now". I'm not sure.
I've always presumed it was "Lights go out now", but I don't know for sure.
I played the song on half the speed, and I'm pretty sure he says "Oh, listen to that now".
From my ears it's jibberish & laughing but can't make out the jibberish. Is it John who says "Oh Look Out!"?
I'll always wonder why they didn't use any tapes as a sonic bridge between this and "Golden Slumbers", the way they did for "...Money"/"Sun King". As it is, it's not really one big medley, is it? It's two shorter ones.
I'm sure it's John and I saw on another site he said "oh listen to that now" but it would be a strange accent on 'now' although that's not to say it wasn't said! Thanks
It sounds to me like "There's the van now. Heh-heh-heh. Oh look out!" preceding the first verse.
For me, it sounds like John Lennon saying "Please, come about". I can't hear nor "listen to that now" neither "we'll listen to that now", like someones say.
The handclaps on this are awesome and placed in such an unusual place.
How could any Beatles expert fan think it's Paul playing the solo ? That is actually George with his Gibson Les Paul trying to play Clapton's style. I have no doubt about it. Sorry, I'm 54 and I know what I'm talking about.