cmii. THE BEATLES: Happiness is a Warm Gun

cmii. THE BEATLES

Happiness is a Warm Gun (1968)
John, guitar, keyboards, vocals
Paul, bass, piano, vocal
George, guitar, vocal
Ringo, drums, tambourine

Three Versions

1. (Esher demo) (1:55)
2. Take 19 (3:10)
3. 2018 mix (2:45)

A John song, one of his best.

1. (Esher demo)

After he forgets a chord, he starts over -- wanders into some Yoko territory -- then back to the "I need a fix," and "Mother Superior" sections. The tune is far from finished.

2. Take 19

There are things certain about The White Album. One, the boys were sick of each other; everybody hated everybody else. And Two, they were all united in wanting to make a really good record (or two) ...

You can really hear that it the development from the demo to 19 -- but there were 51 more takes to go!

Certain elements were well in place; others (like the chic 9/8 + 10/8 rhythm for Mother Superior and the clever "Bang Bang shoot shoot" homage to doo-wop!) yet to come.

Final result:

3. 2018 mix