Log In
Register
Read the original blog post
5.48pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline
Ringo’s drumming. Phil Collins (drummer with Genesis) has come out and said that the drum part was so inventive and he was so right, any other drum part would have lessened the feel of the song and Ringo picks up the pace in the last verse. Rain has been highlighted as the song where Ringo is at his best but ADITL has to be up there.
Other areas that deserve mention:
- John vocals – My word, after who knows how many times ive heard that song the delivery throughout is incredible and was only largened and appreciated more when the isolated multi came out. It really does send shivers down you’re spin how well it was sung. The multis have also made me appreciate how well Paul sings his part – its so easy to overlook it but not only does it fit the song perfectly but Paul is so on his game. Its also a huge improvement on the ‘oh s**t’ outake on the Anthology.
- The Piano Chord – The rejected human omm was played by George Martin in the Directors Cut and its such a piece of crap when compared to the chrashing piano’s.
- The Orchestra – I dont think there is anything that hasnt been said about the Orchestal sections so i wont add anything here.
One thing that always suprises me about ADITL is that George is only on Maracas. Considering the song and its legacy i always expect to see more of George on the track – tho im sure he was adding suggestions and ideas during it all.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
5.52pm
12 April 2012
Offline
The discussions about who sang the aah part. They’re awesome
Once there was a way to get back homewards. Once there was a way to get back home; sleep pretty darling do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby
6.00pm
16 February 2011
Offline The best thing? John. One of his best lyrics ever, so absurd, and also the way he sings, I remember Ringo saying that it spent shivers down his spine, and the effect is quite amazing, even isolated.
I love the special effects, massive crashing piano chord, tumultuous orchestra sounds, “dumm dumm” in Paul’s part, and of course, the infamous ahh 
There really isn’t a thing about the song that I don’t like, although, to be extremely honest, I would rather replace Paul’s verse with another verse of John’s, but the song is fine as it is, as well
6.25pm
26 March 2012
Offline 
meanmistermustard said
- John vocals – My word, after who knows how many times ive heard that song the delivery throughout is incredible and was only largened and appreciated more when the isolated multi came out. It really does send shivers down you’re spin how well it was sung. The multis have also made me appreciate how well Paul sings his part – its so easy to overlook it but not only does it fit the song perfectly but Paul is so on his game. Its also a huge improvement on the ‘oh s**t’ outake on the Anthology.
I always thought Paul’s singing on the “oh s**t” outtake was cool- when he sings “grabbed my hat” he hits that high G, I thought that sounded way cooler than the undramatic way he sings it on the final take. But John’s vocals are the best in this song. When he told George Martin he wanted to achieve a “cosmic” sound for Tomorrow Never Knows and sound like he was singing from a mountaintop, he needn’t have worried- he did it almost without effect on A Day In The Life . The quintessential, surreal Englishness of his lyrics, combined with his beautiful wise, dry tone, creates something truly otherworldly.
I’d also like to nominate Paul’s bassline. Holds all that madness together wonderfully with its humble chime.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
6.47pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Ben Ramon said
meanmistermustard said
- John vocals – My word, after who knows how many times ive heard that song the delivery throughout is incredible and was only largened and appreciated more when the isolated multi came out. It really does send shivers down you’re spin how well it was sung. The multis have also made me appreciate how well Paul sings his part – its so easy to overlook it but not only does it fit the song perfectly but Paul is so on his game. Its also a huge improvement on the ‘oh s**t’ outake on the Anthology.
I always thought Paul’s singing on the “oh s**t” outtake was cool- when he sings “grabbed my hat” he hits that high G, I thought that sounded way cooler than the undramatic way he sings it on the final take. But John’s vocals are the best in this song. When he told George Martin he wanted to achieve a “cosmic” sound for Tomorrow Never Knows and sound like he was singing from a mountaintop, he needn’t have worried- he did it almost without effect on A Day In The Life . The quintessential, surreal Englishness of his lyrics, combined with his beautiful wise, dry tone, creates something truly otherworldly.
I’d also like to nominate Paul’s bassline. Holds all that madness together wonderfully with its humble chime.
Yeah. Hearing Pauls bass and Ringo’s drums – W.O.W. It is such a trip to hear those together seperately. There is some untold pleasure in listening to Paul and Ringo laying down the bass and drum tracks from a number of songs. Even in the later songs when they were recorded seperately and was all overdubbed later they managed to gel together a sound, groove and rhythm that is a joy to behold.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
7.11pm
12 April 2012
Offline Wow I didn’t know that A Day In The Life ‘s bassline was so awesome. How are those bass and drums or vocal only youtube videos made?
Once there was a way to get back homewards. Once there was a way to get back home; sleep pretty darling do not cry. And I will sing a lullaby
8.32pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Multitracks of 4 songs from the Pepper album (A Day In The Life , Pepper, With A Little Help , & She’s Leaving Home ) were leaked a number of years back (well before Rock Band) and were released as a bonus disc to Purple Chicks Deluxe Pepper bootleg collection. Well worth hunting down. She’s Leaving Home with the isolated strings is beautiful and the vocals by John and Paul will only result in you loving the track more.
Thats what Apple should be giving us access to instead of foam pencils and toasted tea-cake warmers.
The following people thank meanmistermustard for this post:
Mr. Kite"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
9.47pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline My favorite thing about ADITL is John’s bass playing during the ahs. Another thing I…wait…what?
But seriously folks, meanmistermustard summed up my feelings perfectly in the second post of this thread. Well done, sir. 
I also echo your thoughts in the post just above this one. I am quite happy with the remasters, now just give us the stuff we haven’t heard yet. Haven’t we already proven our loyalty by shelling out cash on the albums, eight tracks, cassettes, CD’s? Give the people what they want!
Loved the toasted tea-cake warmers line, BTW – brilliant!
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
7.03pm
1 December 2009
Offline John’s vocal. Chilling.
Also the orchestral free-for-all.
GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
7.30pm
4 September 2009
Offline The “best” thing I would say are John’s lethargic vocals. The echo was perfect. And that it starts on the right channel and fades to the left. The “ahhs” (Paul, John or both) seem to float around inside your head.
But there are plenty of best things about that song. Funny that when I was young I didn’t care for it much, too weird. (go figure though since I’ve always loved Strawberry and Walrus). Anyhoo, as I got older I recognized the pure genius of this song.
It starts simple, just a guitar then piano and bass. Maracas and vocals. Drums. Just when you think it’s just another lovely Beatles song… I’d love to turn you on and crank up the machine that drops for a cup and a smoke. Falling into a dream and then back to reality. I’d love to turn you on…
The last crescendo and final chord are like driving your car faster and faster and faster and crashing it into a wall.
Let us not forget the keeper of time. 
The following people thank c64wood for this post:
Mr. KiteLook Up The Number
12.11pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline c64wood said
Let us not forget the keeper of time.
I smile from ear-to-ear every time I here him count to 24.
Great to see you around again, c64wood!
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
1.50pm
4 December 2010
Offline tkj said
“A Day In The Life ” is rated by Rolling Stones (I think) as the best Beatle song. Its a very special, good piece of art. What do you guys think its the best about it? You could also just talk about this song in general. Its so… strange, yet fantastic.The thing I like about it is when John sings, its like your dreaming. Then all that noise comes and suddenly, you wake up! Thats where Paul comes in “woke up, fell out of bed..” etc. Then after the line: “and somebody spoke and I went into a dream” You falls back into the dream with the amazing “ahhhh” part, then John comes in
That is what I like the most too. John and Paul’s songs individually wouldn’t be that interesting, but together- with Paul’s character dreaming of John’s- they are masterful.
Zig said
My favorite thing about ADITL is John’s bass playing during the ahs. Another thing I…wait…what?
:claps:
I told her I didn’t
10.02pm
1 November 2012
Offline I’ll be damned — David McCallum Sr., the father of the actor who played “Ilya Kuryakin” on The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (and more recently has been playing medical examiner “Ducky” Mallard on the show NCIS), was one of the 40 violinists assembled to play on the song “A Day In The Life “.
Another detail I never knew — the final chord is E major, played by eight hands on three pianos, the four pairs of hands belonging to John Lennon , Paul McCartney , Ringo, and Mal Evans. I’m guessing that they probably played the chords with three fingers per hand = 24 fingers = 24 notes, each person playing two E chords, amounting to eight E chords simultaneously sounding, and probably one octave apart per person, and probably the same place on the piano — though the detail that it was three pianos not four pianos would imply that two people shared one piano, thus at least one of the pairs of chords was different from all the rest.
All the above is conjecture based on reasonable inferences. If anyone has any of the relevant facts, I’d love to know them.
The following people thank Funny Paper for this post:
OudisFaded flowers, wait in a jar, till the evening is complete... complete... complete... complete...
10.28pm
26 March 2012
Offline Didn’t know about the first thing, but the chord fact is true as far as I’m aware, I’ve seen it mentioned in multiple reliable sources.
SHUT UP - Paulie's talkin'
10.30pm
6 December 2012
Offline Ben Ramon said
Didn’t know about the first thing, but the chord fact is true as far as I’m aware, I’ve seen it mentioned in multiple reliable sources.
Same here.
Also known as Egg-Rock, Egg-Roll, E-George, Eggy, Ravioli, Eggroll Eggrolli...
~witty quote~
10.36pm
18 March 2013
Offline Random trivia about “A Day In The Life “:
“Neat if Headily” is an Anagram of “A Day In The Life “
8.02am
21 November 2012
Offline Didn’t know the first fact, but then again, I have no clue who that is LOL!
12.23am
30 March 2013
Offline Here’s one: John originally wanted humming at the end, but in the end it was that legendary chord.
Also, all of the orchestra were given rubber noses, party hats, and gorilla paws.
Mal Evans operated the alarm clock to alert everyone, or something.
And at the end, the level of volume had to be turned up so high for the final chord that you could hear Ringo’s shoe squeaking. 
I'm coming down fast from miles above you.
5.54pm
Reviewers
29 November 2012
Offline
You can hear chairs squeaking and papers rustling as the final chord rings out because the record level was up so high. The echo on Mal’s voice gets heavier and heavier with each bar as he counts from 1 to 24. The high-pitched tone after the chord to “annoy your dog” and before the Beatles runout groove chatter at the end. Lots of little bits in that song!
"I know you, you know me; one thing I can tell you is you got to be free!"
Please Visit My Website, The Rock and Roll Chemist
Twitter: @rocknrollchem
Facebook: rnrchemist
1 Guest(s)