Wednesday 16 July 1969 | Studios Two and Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London
Producers: George Martin, Glyn Johns | Engineer: Phil McDonald
The Beatles worked on two George Harrison songs during this day's recording sessions at Abbey Road — Here Comes The Sun and Something, both destined for the Abbey Road album.
Here Comes The Sun (Studio Three, 2.30pm – 7pm)
The first session took place in Studio Three and was produced by Glyn Johns. Harmonium and handclaps were overdubbed onto take 15 of Here Comes The Sun:
- Track eight: handclaps
- Track five: Harrison's harmonium performance — later erased
Something (Studio Two, 7pm – 12.30am)
From 7pm, work switched to Studio Two and focused on Something.
A reduction mix of the song, numbered take 37, had been made on 11 July 1969, but Harrison ignored it and re-recorded his lead vocals, with harmonies from Paul McCartney and handclaps by Harrison, McCartney, and Ringo Starr.
Two new reduction mixes were then made to free up more space, numbered takes 38 and 39:
- Track one: piano and lead guitar
- Track two: drums and percussion
- Track five: bass guitar
- Track six: guitar through a Leslie speaker
- Track seven: vocals
- Track eight: organ
- Tracks three and four: left available for George Martin's orchestral overdubs
Key Facts: 16 July 1969
| Date | Wednesday 16 July 1969 |
| Studios | Studios Two and Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road |
| Producers | George Martin (Something); Glyn Johns (Here Comes The Sun) |
| Engineer | Phil McDonald |
| Songs worked on | Here Comes The Sun; Something |
| Album | Abbey Road (1969) |
| Songwriter | George Harrison (both songs) |
Abbey Road Studios, London — where The Beatles recorded Here Comes The Sun and Something overdubs on 16 July 1969.
Abbey Road — The Album That Ended Everything Perfectly
Officially licensed Abbey Road merchandise.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Here Comes The Sun recorded?
Here Comes The Sun was recorded across multiple sessions in 1969. On 16 July 1969, harmonium and handclaps were overdubbed onto take 15 at Studio Three, Abbey Road, produced by Glyn Johns.
When was Something recorded?
Something was recorded across multiple sessions in 1969. On 16 July 1969, George Harrison re-recorded his lead vocals with harmonies from Paul McCartney and handclaps from Harrison, McCartney and Ringo Starr at Studio Two, Abbey Road.
Who produced the Abbey Road sessions?
Primarily George Martin. On 16 July 1969, Glyn Johns produced the Here Comes The Sun session and George Martin produced the Something session. Phil McDonald engineered.
Did George Harrison write both Here Comes The Sun and Something?
Yes. Both were written by George Harrison and appear on Abbey Road (1969). Something was released as a double A-side single with Come Together.
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