Don't know how many classically trained artists were brought in by George Martin, but a whole orchestral section. Great story behind this one. None of the Beatles could read music. And, of course, the orchestral musicians need to read music. They were horrified when Paul told them that they had no written music for them, but that he wanted all of the musicians to start at the very lowest note and keep climbing the scale until they all hit the top note together. If you google this song, you can find the studio film footage of Paul as the conductor directing the orchestra. What band does this besides the Beatles???!!!
It was a 40-piece ---the Fabs invited friends (Mick, Keith, Brian, Donovan, Michael Nesmith [who had the #1 single on both sides of the ocean with "I'm a Believer"]) over to EMI Studios to watch and hang out, and there's Super 8 film of it all in the official video. And it was recorded on the day that I was born.
That voice! Beatles producer George Martin said on the Beatles Anthology in 1995, as he played back John's vocal on this song that John's vocals, to roughly paraphrase George's remarks made the hair stand up on the back of his head on this performance. John's vocals on this song are stellar; Paul McCartney coming in on the middle eight of the song with his bridge is brilliant. Neither one of them had a full song, but when they put their contributions together, it fit perfectly! John's ghostly vocals towards the end of the song has to be one of the greatest vocal performances of all time.
John and Paul's teamwork are on display in this song. As you state, John's dreamy, introspective parts, with McCartney startling us with that brilliant bridge in the middle of the song after the first orchestra "freak out" in the song. All works together just perfectly!!!!
You're amazing, my man! As a 72-year-old lifetime Beatle fan, I am in awe that -- upon first listening -- you could so concisely, brilliantly and articulately offer such a cogent analysis of an absolute classic -- a song that will undoubtedly be bending brains for generations to come. 😁 Well done! And keep diving. You're a joy to watch. 👍
I hate to say it, but I suspect his scholarly sounding 'comments' are mostly AI generated and he's reading them or has memorised them from a screen or print-out. It's the same way some students these days unfortunately cheat at essay writing - often quite hard to detect, but you do get an instinct for it after a while. (Lots of YT channels are pure AI creations on popular subjects, with clickbait headings and robot narration, uploaded by people with no interest in the subject matter, just to make money from YT.) As I understand it, you type in your question and the length and style in which you want it answered, etc, and an AI app (like ChatGP or Google Scholar) scours the internet for the references and compiles it all into a credible sounding, hopefully well-sourced piece of writing. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with using these apps of course, if RU-vidrs want to, but I believe it should be acknowledged openly. It's interesting to see what AI can come up with, it could be read out and personal comment added by the presenter, followed by discussion in the comments. If I'm mistaken that that is what this is, I sincerely apologise and will withdraw my comment, if the uploader would like to respond.
Your hitting all the points, Philip! That final chord was done by all four Beatles sitting at separate pianos. They had to do a number of takes until all four of them hit that final chord in unison. What an incredible vision John and Paul and the rest of the Beatles had to give birth to what many would argue is their Magnum Opus!
The final chord was 3 pianos, Paul and John on separate pianos and Ringo and Mal Evans playing together on another piano and a harmonium which was played by George Martin.
@@ChannelSseb thanks for that correction! I actually saw a picture of this very shot AFTER I had written that text! Appreciate you setting the record straight!
Certainly one of their most atmospheric soundscapes. The orchestral crescendo was achieved by each of the musicians going from their lowest note to the highest. They were told not to watch each other, just to end at the same time. Also, George Martin stated that when John first played him the song on acoustic guitar, that even then his vocals sent shivers down your spine. The final note was achieved by playing 6 pianos at once, and slowly turning the faders up on the control desk to make it last as long as they could.
I was eleven years old when the Beatles first appeared on television in the USA. They were a big influence on me as I began my teenage years. Looking back I feel lucky to have been alive during that period. 😎👍
The verses were based on actual news items at the time. A friend of theirs who was a titled MP was tripping while driving and was killed in a crash. A story about the war, a story about potholes, etc. The mundane aspects of a day in the life. Then Paul's bridge about drifting into a daydream at work. Brilliant! At the time, greatly celebrated by musicians and critics as being equal to some of the great classics, even by Leonard Bernstein.
Not an MP. He was an inherited wealthy playboy who, as a peer of the realm might have sat in the second chamber, The House of Lords. As pedestrian, cyclist, and driver in London shortly after then and up to the present, I have little to no sympathy with drunk and drugged driving and just glad nobody else was killed, though his girlfriend was injured
There’s a video of them shot that night showing them recording this masterpiece. There are several guests/friends/musicians in attendance that The Beatles invited to watch them record that night. Among them were Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Donovan, David Crosby, and Mike Love. Imagine what it would be like to be there that night watching them record it.
You'llbe glad to now you are not alone with your opinion.Many people consider this one of the greatest if not the greatest song ever written.I have to say many people lie to knock Ringo's drumming.His drumming on this song is wonderful. The drumming is so creative and it is perfect for the song.
This is the song that changed popular music forever. I'm not sure anyone--for sure no "pop group"--had attempted an "epic" song in such a cinematic manner before.
One thing i can not get my head around is how the Beatles went from catchy pop songs like she loves you yeah yeah yeah. And. i wanna hold your hand to this masterpiece in a couple of years
Well, they weren’t like you and I or other bands at the time. John and Paul were very special and talented. Musically, there was nothing they couldn’t do. They pushed the envelope as far as they could, probably ending with I am the Walrus.
The entire album is brilliant. You're so lucky to be able to hear these songs for the first time. BTW ... Paul said the hardest part was telling the symphony to start as low as possible on every instrument and go higher and higher and louder and louder. He said they were all used to having sheet music to follow ... Very confusing for them, though they did a masterful job and were central to this masterpiece.
Yeah in a way I'm jealous of those who get to hear any Beatles song for the first time... but then again I wouldn't remotely be the person I am today had I not first heard them when I was 8 :)
@@thecreepyllama I was just 4 when Sgt. Pepper came out. I was a fan from birth according to my parents. I loved them and have for 60 years. I am incredibly jealous of those who can hear these songs for the first time. Cheers!
