Mixing: Good Morning Good Morning / Only A Northern Song

Wednesday 19 April 1967 | Sgt Pepper, Studio, Yellow Submarine

On 19 April 1967, The Beatles returned to the control room of Studio Two at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, to finalise mono mixes for ‘Good Morning Good Morning’, and to create a reference mix of George Harrison’s ‘Only A Northern Song’.

The session was overseen by producer George Martin, with engineer Geoff Emerick. With work on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band nearing completion, attention turned to refining details within the album’s sequencing and sonic transitions.

🎛️ ‘Good Morning Good Morning’ Mono Mixes

Fourteen mono mixes of ‘Good Morning Good Morning’ were created during this session, numbered 10 through 23. These replaced earlier mixes made on 6 April 1967, with the final version (mix 23) selected for inclusion on the album.

The revisions were necessary due to difficulties integrating the track with ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)’. The eventual solution was to link the two songs by matching the final chicken cluck in ‘Good Morning Good Morning’ with the opening guitar notes of the reprise.

Notably, this effect was more pronounced in the mono mix. The stereo version, prepared earlier, blended the transition more subtly, reducing the intended impact.

🎧 ‘Only A Northern Song’

A mono mix of George Harrison’s ‘Only A Northern Song’ was also created during the session. This was not intended for immediate release, but rather served as a reference mix for future use.

The track would later be issued on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album in 1969, but at this stage it remained outside the Sgt Pepper project.

📀 Session Context

With the Sgt Pepper album effectively complete, Paul McCartney had recently returned from the United States and was eager to move forward with new creative directions. This session reflects a transitional moment, bridging the completion of one of The Beatles’ most ambitious works with the early stages of their next phase.

Location Map

FAQ

Why were new mono mixes of ‘Good Morning Good Morning’ needed?

Because the earlier mixes did not transition effectively into ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)’.

How many mixes were made during this session?

Fourteen mono mixes were created, numbered 10 to 23.

Was ‘Only A Northern Song’ part of Sgt Pepper?

No. It was recorded during the same period but ultimately released on the Yellow Submarine album.

What is notable about the mono vs stereo versions?

The mono version features a more distinct transition between tracks, preserving the intended effect.