Recording: Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Phil McDonald

This was the third day of work on ‘Golden Slumbers’/‘Carry That Weight’.

The short session took place in Abbey Road’s Studio Two from 2.45-5.30pm session, although some of the early part was spent listening to Ann Jones beating Billie-Jean King in the 71-minute Wimbledon ladies’ tennis final.

The studio engineers had been listening to the match before The Beatles arrived, and the radio feed was eventually played through the studio speakers so all could hear it.

When the tennis was over, George Harrison added electric guitar arpeggios and Ringo Starr recorded extra drums onto ‘Golden Slumbers’/‘Carry That Weight’, which had the simple working title of ‘Golden Slumbers’. Both these performances went onto track seven of the eight-track tape. McCartney also recorded his lead vocals on track six.

I remember trying to get a very strong vocal on it, because it was such a gentle theme, so I worked on the strength of the vocal on it, and ended up quite pleased with it.