Recording: Something

Studio One, Olympic Sound Studios, London
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Glyn Johns

This was the first of four consecutive Beatles recording sessions at Olympic Sound Studios in Barnes, London, and saw work continue on George Harrison’s song ‘Something’.

This was for overdubs onto the backing track, which had been recorded on 2 May 1969. Harrison recorded a lead guitar part, and Paul McCartney re-recorded his bass guitar line.

It has been reported that Harrison later re-recorded his lead guitar part during the 15 August orchestral overdub session. However, a reduction mix known as take 37, made on 11 July 1969, contains Harrison’s solo. Since he did not record lead guitar for the song between 5 May and 16 July, it is most likely that the final solo was recorded during this session at Olympic.

The session lasted from 7.30pm to 4am the following morning. ‘Something’ was then left alone until 11 July, and work wasn’t concluded until 15 August.