Studio Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: Chris Thomas
Engineer: Jeff Jarratt
Although The Beatles had recorded 13 takes of George Harrison’s song ‘Something’ on 16 April 1969, on this day they began a remake.
Thirty-six takes were recorded during this session, the last of which became the basis for the released song. The line-up was Harrison on rhythm guitar, Paul McCartney playing bass guitar, and John Lennon on piano, and Ringo Starr on drums.
McCartney’s bass guitar was on track one; Starr’s drums on track two; Harrison’s guitar on three; and Lennon’s piano on track four. From take nine onwards, a second output from Harrison’s guitar amplifier was fed through a Leslie speaker, which was recorded onto track six.
On takes 27-36, at the song’s close, Lennon led the band into a jam. This four-chord sequence in 6/8 time was later re-recorded faster by Lennon as the basis for the song ‘Remember’, which appeared on his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
Although eventually removed completely, The Beatles’ jam was retained throughout most of the overdub sessions for ‘Something’. The additional playing extended the song’s running time by nearly five minutes, to a running time of 7:48.
This session took place from 7pm-3.40am, but also included a three-hour break from 11pm.
Billy Preston played organ on this song and he was also present at this session, since no other subsequent sessions for “Something” indicate that he overdubbed his organ part.