Deconstructing Happiness Is A Warm Gun - The Beatles (Isolated Tracks)

Happiness Is A Warm Gun was written during the Beatles’ trip to Rishikesh, India. The song featured a finger picking style John learned from Gypsy Dave. It was first demoed in an early state heard in the Esher demos. The only words John had at that point were “I need a fix” and “Mother jumped the gun”. The song was finally completed and started to be recorded on September 23, 1968 at the tail end of the White Album sessions. The song was a prime example of collaboration during the White Album session as it featured many time signature changes. Around 45 takes of the song were taped on this day with the session ending in the early hours of September 24, however they had not gotten a suitable take. It wasn’t until later in the evening that take 65 was deemed acceptable. After a few more goes the group, possibly after a blister that put John out of service, decided to edit take 65 with take 53. The next day on September 25th they came together to record the necessary overdubs. This included John’s lead vocal and Paul’s harmony vocal on the same track, an organ part played by John, tambourine and hi-hat with Ringo and possibly Paul playing them at the same time, a electric guitar part played by George, piano played by Paul, and additional harmonies by Paul, George, with John doing a deep bassy part. There was also a tuba part played by someone, possibly Paul. With that the song was finished.
Consider supporting me on Patreon and get access to Beatle stems: / isolatedstems
Subscribe for more!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drums (0:00)
Overdubbed Percussion (2:30)
Bass (2:49)
Tuba (5:17)
Lead Vocals (5:44)
Harmony Vocals (7:59)
Organ (9:50)
Guitars (10:32)
Overdubbed Guitar (13:12)
Piano (13:28)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Lennon - Lead and Background Vocals, Rhythm Guitar (1965 Epiphone ES- 230TD Casino), Organ (Hammond RT-3)
Paul McCartney - Bass (Fender Jazz), Piano (Hamburg Steinway Baby Grand), Tuba?, Backing Vocals, Hi-Hat
George Harrison - Lead and Rhythm Guitar (1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster, 1967 Bartell Fretless prototype), backing vocals
Ringo Starr - Drums (1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl), Tambourine
#thebeatles #georgeharrison #paulmccartney #ringostarr #whitealbum #johnlennon #hapinessisawarmgun

[@gilassp]

What does the low voice following the bassline sing after the harmony vocals do "happineeeess.."? Sounds like "and he faaalls" or something.

[@thomassommerfeld8494]

I actually hear that too.

[@daytripper9222]

Nice!

[@hamueramusic]

8:38 i think thats the highest chest-voice note that john sang in the entire beatles discography, but correct me if I'm wrong

[@WorldInANutshell]

Almost. Lennon hits B here. But "I'm So Tired" stretches him to his limits (But I know!) with a C#, 2 half steps above B. You can even hear John smile after getting up that high. I've never heard a good backstory on how john prepared to hit that note. The only explanation I can come up with is he was always capable of going to C# but treated A (4 half steps lower) as his comfortable high register.

[@WorldInANutshell]

Also, note that lennon hits B at end of "I want you" with his "yeah" scream. His voice splinters into falsetto after reaching B...which further confounds me how he managed to reach C# so clearly on "I'm So tired" 6 months earlier