Recording, mixing: Don't Pass Me By, Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da, Revolution – 12 July 1968

Q: Who wrote Don't Pass Me By?

Ringo Starr — it was his first published composition, appearing on the White Album (1968).

July 11, 2026

Friday 12 July 1968 | Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, England
Producer: George Martin | Engineer: Geoff Emerick

Two recording sessions took place at Abbey Road's Studio Two on 12 July 1968, spanning from 3pm to 4am the following morning. The day's work covered three songs destined for The Beatles (the White Album): 'Don't Pass Me By', 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da', and 'Revolution'.

Session One: Don't Pass Me By (3pm–11pm)

Ringo Starr's first published composition, 'Don't Pass Me By', was completed during the first session. The song had been in development since the White Album sessions began in May 1968, and this day saw it reach its finished form.

The session's most unexpected moment came with the arrival of the booked session violinist: Jack Fallon. Fallon had previously worked as a booking agent for five of The Beatles' English concerts between March 1962 and June 1963 — and the group were surprised to find him turning up as a musician rather than a promoter.

George Martin had jotted down a 12-bar blues for me. A lot of country fiddle playing is double-stop [two notes played simultaneously] but Paul and George Martin – they were doing the arranging – suggested I play it single note. So it wasn't really the country sound they originally wanted. But they seemed pleased. Ringo was around too, keeping an eye on his song.

Jack Fallon
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

The violin overdub was completed by 6.40pm. Paul McCartney then re-recorded his bass guitar part, and Starr added a piano part fed through a Leslie speaker, which included the tinkling introduction that opens the finished track.

Four mono mixes of 'Don't Pass Me By' were created at the end of the session. Starr took home a copy of the last of these, which he later gave to his friend Peter Sellers. The version that appeared on the White Album was a different mix, made on 11 October 1968.

Two mono mixes of 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' — numbered 10 and 11 — were also made at the close of the session. These were rendered unnecessary after Paul McCartney decided to re-record his lead vocals on 15 July.

Session Two: Revolution (midnight–4am)

No strangers to working through the night, The Beatles began a second session at midnight, ending at 4am. This was devoted to final overdubs for 'Revolution'.

McCartney recorded his bass guitar part once again, with additional lead guitar by John Lennon during the solo section and ending. Both parts were recorded simultaneously onto track four of the tape.

'Revolution' was then mixed in mono four times, though these were superseded by further mixes created on 15 July 1968. The song was eventually released as the B-side of 'Hey Jude' on 26 August 1968.

Key Facts: 12 July 1968

Date	Friday 12 July 1968
Studio	Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London
Producer	George Martin
Engineer	Geoff Emerick
Session One	3pm–11pm: Don't Pass Me By completed; Ob-La-Di mixes 10 & 11
Session Two	Midnight–4am: Revolution overdubs and mono mixes
Session violinist	Jack Fallon (former Beatles booking agent)
Don't Pass Me By mix used on album	Made 11 October 1968 (not this session)
Album	The Beatles (White Album), released 22 November 1968

EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London — where The Beatles recorded the White Album across the summer and autumn of 1968.

The Beatles: White Album

'Don't Pass Me By', 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' and 'Revolution' were all recorded for this landmark 1968 double album. Officially licensed Beatles merch.

The Beatles White Album Zipped Hoodie →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote 'Don't Pass Me By'?

'Don't Pass Me By' was written by Ringo Starr and was his first published composition. It appeared on The Beatles' White Album, released on 22 November 1968.

Who played violin on 'Don't Pass Me By'?

The violin on 'Don't Pass Me By' was played by Jack Fallon, a session musician who had previously worked as a booking agent for five of The Beatles' English concerts between 1962 and 1963. The Beatles were surprised to see him arrive as the session violinist.

What is the Leslie speaker sound on 'Don't Pass Me By'?

Ringo Starr added a piano part to 'Don't Pass Me By' that was fed through a Leslie speaker — a rotating speaker cabinet that creates a distinctive swirling, tremolo effect. This produced the tinkling introduction heard on the finished track.

When was 'Revolution' released?

'Revolution' was released as the B-side of 'Hey Jude' on 26 August 1968. The version on the White Album is a slower, more laid-back take known as 'Revolution 1', recorded separately from the single version.

Why were the Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da mixes from 12 July 1968 not used?

The two mono mixes of 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' made on 12 July 1968 (numbered 10 and 11) were rendered unnecessary after Paul McCartney decided to re-record his lead vocals on 15 July 1968, requiring new mixes to be created.