Recording, editing: Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Phil McDonald

Work continued on ‘Golden Slumbers’/‘Carry That Weight’ during this 3-8.30pm session.

The previous day 15 takes of the song – which had the working title ‘Golden Slumbers’ – had been recorded. On this day an edit of two of the takes – different sources suggest either 13 and 14 or 13 and 15 – was made, probably at the point where ‘Carry That Weight’ begins. Since further overdubs were added, it is possible that this edit was made directly onto the multitrack tape, but is likely that a copy was first made.

Either way, this new edit was also named take 13. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr added more vocals and drums respectively to track four of the eight-track tape, followed by both men double-tracking their vocals in the chorus on tracks four and seven.

The eight-track tape was by then full, so two reduction mixes were made to allow for further work. These mixes were numbered takes 16 and 17, the latter of which was used for further overdubs.