Recording: Every Little Thing, What You’re Doing, No Reply

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

This was the fourth of seven days in which The Beatles recorded their fourth UK album Beatles For Sale.

There were two scheduled recording sessions, from 2.30-5.30pm and 6.30-10.30pm, both taking place in Studio Two. The first song to be tackled was ‘Every Little Thing’, completed on this day after a failed attempt on the previous day. Five takes were recorded, the last of which – numbered take nine – was an overdub of timpani by Ringo Starr and Steinway grand piano by Paul McCartney.

The evening session began with five takes of ‘What You’re Doing’, numbered 8-12. As with ‘Every Little Thing’, The Beatles had tried to record it the day before; this time, however, they abandoned their efforts and remade it on 26 October 1964.

The day’s final song was ‘No Reply’, which became the opening track on Beatles For Sale. Completed on this day in eight takes, the final version included overdubs of vocals, handclaps and piano, the latter played by George Martin.