Sunday, February 1, 2009

Baby You're a Rich Man

There are many interesting Beatles facts pertaining to "Baby You're a Rich Man." The track is made up of two different songs, one by McCartney, the other by Lennon. Lennon wrote the "beautiful people verses" and McCartney wrote the "rich man" refrain. The songs are believed to have been recorded separately at some point, but they have never surfaced, not even as bootlegs over the many years or on Anthology.

Originally intended for the album Yellow Submarine, the song was recorded May 11, 1967 at Olympic Sound Studios and was released as a single (the B side to "All You Need Is Love") on July 7, 1967 in the UK and on July 17, 1967 in the U.S. Harrison sang this song while walking through San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district, an experience he found most unpleasant because of the filthy living conditions.

Lennon and McCartney share lead vocals, and Harrison sings on the chorus. McCartney played bass and piano, Lennon the clavioline, Harrison tambourine, and Starr drums. The clavioline is a keyboard instrument and can be heard at the beginning of the song, which opens with an Eastern Indian flavor.

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