The Beatles - The Evolution of Something

January 28th - August 15th, 1969 Considered to be George Harrison’s magnum opus during his Beatle years, Written as a love song about his then-wife, Pattie Boyd. Something was written around July 1968, during The White Album sessions, but was unfinished until January 1969. Apple Corps Headquarters, 3 Savile Row, London - January 28, 1969 Harrison first showed the song off during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions at Savile Row. Lennon helped out with some of the lyrics during these rehearsals. 01. to 08. Something (Rehearsals and Discussion) - 0:04 & 27:52 Apple Corps Headquarters, 3 Savile Row, London - January 29, 1969 During the final day of rehearsal before their famous Rooftop performance, the group did a quick rehearsal of the song, this time with Lennon and McCartney each performing vocals. 09. to 10. Something (Rehearsals with Paul and John on Vocals) - 27:54 & 29:13 EMI Studios, London - February 25, 1969 A month later on his 26th Birthday, George arrived at EMI Studios to record a demo of the now-completed song. After recording a single take of guitar and vocals, he overdubbed a grand piano onto the demo, before moving to track demos for “All Things Must Pass” and the Beatles' next B-Side, “Old Brown Shoe”. 11. Something (Demo Take 1 - excerpt) - 31:55 12. Something (Demo Take 2 - Piano overdub excerpt) - 32:29 Studio 3, EMI Studios, London - April 16, 1969 Following basic tracking and overdubs of “Old Brown Shoe”, The Beatles ran through 13 takes of “Something”. The lineup consisted of George on rhythm guitar and vocals, Paul (or Ringo) on drums, John (or Paul) on bass and George Martin on jangle piano. 13. Something (Take 4 Chatter) - 32:49 Studio 3, EMI Studios, London - May 2, 1969 Having abandoned the April 16th version of the song, George led the three Beatles through 36 remake takes of the song, the final take being chosen as the master. The lineup now had Ringo and Paul on their respective instruments (drums and bass), and John taking on piano duties. Towards the end of Take 36, Lennon led the band in a four-chord jam that would later be used as the basis for his 1970 solo song, “Remember”. 14. Something (Unknown Take Chatter) - 33:20 15. Something (Take 36 Outro Jam) - 34:32 Studio 1, Olympic Sound Studios, London - May 5, 1969 Now with the basic track done, it was time for the overdubs. George recorded his iconic lead guitar parts on his Lucy Les Paul, while Paul added a second bass guitar onto his already existing part from three days prior. 16. Something (Isolated Lead Guitar) - 36:58 Studio 2, EMI Studios, London - July 11, 1969 Two months after recording the first set of overdubs, the group returned to Something. George recorded his lead vocals before double-tracking them in the choruses. Keyboardist and long-time friend of the group, Billy Preston, added a gospel Hammond Organ part during the session. Afterwards, the song had a reduction mix and was labelled as “Take 37”. This would be left unused by the band. 17. Something (Take 37 - excerpt) - 38:47 18. Something (Isolated Organ) - 39:17 Studios 2 & 3, EMI Studios, London - July 16, 1969. Ignoring the previous reduction mix, Harrison re-recorded his double-tracked vocals and was joined by McCartney, who provided backing vocals. McCartney and Starr also added percussion during the bridge section of the song, before mixing it down as “Take 39”. 19. Something (Isolated Lead and Backing Vocals) - 42:13 Studios 1 & 2, EMI Studios, London - August 15, 1969 The final set of overdubs for the song were recorded with George Martin’s orchestral arrangement. A 30-piece orchestra consisting of 12 violins, four violas, four cellos and a string bass were stationed in Studio 1 and was overseen by both Martin and Harrison. 20. Something (Take 39 Orchestra Overdub - excerpt) - 44:52 21. Something (Final Version - excerpt) - 45:21