Beatles Bible

📅 ON THIS DAY: Recording: Tomorrow Never Knows (1966)

Studio Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Geoff Emerick

The first session for The Beatles’ Revolver took place on this day, with three takes of John Lennon’s remarkable ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’.

The session took place in studio three at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, and began at 2.30pm. At this time the song had the working title ‘Mark I’.

Although quite different from the final version of ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, ‘Mark I’ represented a huge leap forward in recording terms for The Beatles. Take one, which was released on 1996’s Anthology 2, sounded quite unlike anything the group had done before – and, indeed, bore little resemblance to contemporary music in general.

6 April 1966 was primarily spent on the song’s rhythm track and vocals. The basis of the final version of ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ was take three, the last of the day’s attempts.

The rhythm track contained Ringo Starr’s drums, Paul McCartney’s bass guitar and George Harrison’s tambura. Lennon then added his lead vocals, which were fed through a Hammond organ’s Leslie speaker during the second half.

"It meant actually breaking into the circuitry. I remember the surprise on our faces when the voice came out of the speaker. It was just one of sheer amazement. After that they wanted everything shoved through the Leslie: pianos, guitars, drums, vocals, you name it!" – Geoff Emerick, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

The song’s various tape loops and effects were added on 7 April, and a final overdub containing more vocals, guitar, organ, tambourine and piano was made on 22 April.

1 month ago | [YT] | 1,633



@robk.6591

Ringo's drumming on Tomorrow Never Knows is so hypnotic.

1 month ago | 33

@jasonlennon1940

One half of the greatest songwriters ever to walk planet earth.

4 weeks ago | 1

@LucyLennon909

So much to say about the final track: "Tomorrow Never Knows" on "Revolver" in 1966. The pioneering use of 'Tape Loops' and 'Techniques'. Harrison's Sitar playing is brilliant. Thanks, Beatles Bible ... I'm listening right now🙋‍♀️🎧

1 month ago (edited) | 11

@soliv27

Maybe one of the 10 greatest Beatles song ? Someone agree ? Made me cry of joy one day

1 month ago | 1

@rickpower-vi3jc

The music still kicks ass, timeless.

1 month ago | 3

@manuelweidinger1507

A Milestone, a masterpiece and far ahead of it's time! And still ...

1 month ago | 14

@jesuscampos8136

Masterpiece

1 month ago | 13

@billybob-z9b

The first true psychedelic song ever recorded

1 month ago | 5

@NickolasZannithakis

And remember: The title of the song was inspired by Ringo, after the following conversation: -Do you think we will manage to finish all this stuff tomorrow? Ringo: "I'm not sure, tomorrow never knows".

1 month ago | 15

@robbiepeterh

“Turn off your mind relax and float downstream” Ok 🌱

1 month ago | 20

@jimfritz2087

And music history was made. They never looked back during this time. Only forward . We , those who grew up during this time , were so very fortunate to experience this music !

1 month ago (edited) | 11

@vtisgreen

“Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream “- great line

1 month ago | 2

@meesterexit1969

This song is beyond epic. Psychedelic rock at its peak...while psychedelic rock hardly existed then. If it existed at all.

1 month ago | 4

@StephenBiesiada

Tomorrow Never Knows, Masterpiece, the Beatles , Best Band in the World, Forever , Steve

1 month ago | 3

@ellenbeckmann4293

Beautiful John Lennon pic. I have never seen before. Thank you 4 Informationen. Lg from Elli 🌹🕊

1 month ago | 2

@kimberleyplatt3914

I love this song!❤️🎶

1 month ago | 2

@ST-xg3gy

Incredible work. Emerick's book breaks the session down, great read. Sublime song and studio work.

1 month ago | 2

@snowfiresunwind

Way ahead of its Time and still sounds as if it were a communique from Outer Space. A masterpiece in every sense of the word.

4 weeks ago | 0

@JasonLopez-j9x

Favorite Beatles song

1 month ago | 3

@PUNKvamp666

tripped heavy on dis song

1 month ago | 2