Studio Two, EMI Studios, London
Scarcely baulking at the idea of having to record during this break from their concert tour, and a Sunday at that, the Beatles put in a solid nine hours' work at Abbey Road, starting and completing the recording of six new album tracks and the A-side of their next single.
Working from 2:30 to 11:30 pm - a late finish by any standard, even more so considering they had to give two performances in Edinburgh the next evening - the Beatles first completed the October 6th recording of "Eight Days A Week" with two edit pieces, one for the intro (not used) and the other for outro (used), and then set about the new material.
Only two of the six new recordings were Lennon-McCartney songs, and one of these was already several years old. For the others, the Beatles dived into their memories and returned with four songs from their pre-fame stage act. First to be taped (in just two takes but the first was 'best') was Little Richard's medley of "Kansas City"/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!, next was a re-make of Dr. Feelgood and the Interns' Mr. Moonlight", improving upon the August 14th recording with four more takes, next was the new single, John's "I Feel Fine" (nine takes); Paul's late-1950's composition "I'll Follow The Sun" (eight), Carl Perkins' "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" (just one take), Chuck Berry's "Rock And Roll Music" (just one take) and Buddy Holly's "Words of Love" (three takes).
"I Feel Fine", released as the Beatles next single on Friday, November 27th (backed with "She's A Woman") gave public warning that recording studio experimentation was afoot, its distinctive opening sound being deliberately-administered amplifier feedback.
THE COMPLETE BEATLES CHRONICLE - MARK LEWISOHN
