Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
The third studio session for the Help! album involved work on two songs: ‘The Night Before’ and ‘You Like Me Too Much’.
The first session took place from 2-7pm. The Beatles recorded Paul McCartney’s ‘The Night Before’ in two takes plus overdubs. These included double-tracked vocals, and an electric piano part by John Lennon.
At this stage in the album’s recording process, George Harrison’s ‘You Like Me Too Much’ was likewise intended for the Help! soundtrack, although it was later moved to side two.
The song was completed in eight takes during a 7-11pm session. Track one had Harrison on acoustic guitar, Lennon on tambourine, McCartney on bass guitar, Starr on drums, and George Martin on Steinway piano.
Harrison double tracked his lead vocals, with backing from McCartney in places. Harrison then added a guitar solo, Lennon overdubbed a Hohner Pianet electric piano part, and McCartney added piano during the song’s solo and coda.
Also on this day...
- 2015: Ringo Starr live: Peace Center, Greenville, South Carolina
- 2010: National Trust considers campaign to buy Abbey Road Studios
- 2010: McCartney hopes Abbey Road can be saved after reports of an EMI sale
- 1975: US album release: Rock ‘N’ Roll by John Lennon
- 1972: Wings live: Sheffield University
- 1970: Recording, mixing: I’m A Fool To Care, Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing by Ringo Starr
- 1967: Recording, mixing: Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!
- 1967: UK single release: Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever
- 1964: Day off in Miami
- 1963: Television: Thank Your Lucky Stars
- 1962: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1961: Live: St John’s Hall, Liverpool
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
According to George Martin’s handwritten notes, John also sang backing vocals on “You Like Me Too Much”.
The double guitar solo on “The Night Before” was played by George and Paul together in unison and it gave a very nice effort, but I’m not certain who played the higher or lower end octaves. It’s possible that George played the higher end and Paul played the lower end, which he was able to do, since he was the bassist.
John must’ve been in his keyboardist mode on this day’s session, hence that he played the electric piano in lieu of his usual guitar on both songs recorded.