Friday 3 August 1973 | Record Plant, New York City
On 3 August 1973, John Lennon held the third recording session for his fourth solo album Mind Games at the Record Plant in New York City. Three songs were recorded: You Are Here, Meat City, and Only People. The session was produced by Lennon himself, with engineers Roy Cicala and Dan Barbiero.
Session Details
The musicians for the basic backing tracks were John Lennon, David Spinozza (guitar), Ken Ascher (piano, organ), Gordon Edwards (bass guitar), and Jim Keltner (drums, percussion). The Mind Games sessions continued at the Record Plant until 20 August 1973, after which the songs were mixed and edited.
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John Lennon Self Portrait Full Colour T-Shirt in navy blue.
Song-by-Song: What Was Recorded
| Date | Friday 3 August 1973 |
| Studio | Record Plant, New York City |
| Producer | John Lennon |
| Engineers | Roy Cicala, Dan Barbiero |
| Musicians | John Lennon, David Spinozza (guitar), Ken Ascher (piano, organ), Gordon Edwards (bass guitar), Jim Keltner (drums, percussion) |
| Songs recorded | You Are Here, Meat City, Only People |
| Album | Mind Games (released October 1973) |
You Are Here
The first song recorded on 3 August 1973 was You Are Here, completed in six takes across three tape reels. Reel one contained takes 1–4, the first and last of which were complete. Take 4 lasted nearly 10 minutes and included the song being repeated twice — it was included as a hidden track in the deluxe 2024 reissue of Mind Games. Reel two contained take 5, a complete take lasting 11 minutes, again with the song played twice. Reel three contained take 6, the master version, featuring Lennon's vocals and acoustic guitar, Ascher's electric piano, Edwards' bass guitar, and Keltner's drums.
Meat City
Recording of Meat City began after take 6 on reel three. Reel one contained a single incomplete take. Reel two had takes 2–6, of which only takes 3 and 4 were complete. Reel three contained takes 7–15, of which only take 16 was complete. The final reel contained the incomplete take 17, followed by take 18 — the master take.
Only People
The final song recorded on 3 August was Only People, across two tape reels. Reel one contained takes 1–11, of which only takes 2 and 3 were complete. Reel two contained takes 12–18; takes 12 and 18 were the only complete ones. Take 12 was included in the expanded 2024 reissue of Mind Games. Take 18 became the master, featuring Lennon's vocals and Clavinet, Spinozza's electric guitar, Ascher's electric piano, Edwards' bass guitar, and Keltner's drums.
The Record Plant, West 44th Street, New York City — where John Lennon recorded Mind Games in the summer of 1973.
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Mind Games: Context
Mind Games was John Lennon's fourth solo studio album, released in October 1973. It was recorded during a turbulent period in Lennon's life — he was living in Los Angeles during his ‘Lost Weekend’ separation from Yoko Ono, and was simultaneously fighting a US government deportation order. The album reached number nine in the UK and number nine in the US, with the title track becoming one of his most enduring solo singles.
The Record Plant on West 44th Street in New York was one of Lennon's preferred studios during his New York years. He would return there the following year to record Walls and Bridges (1974).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was John Lennon's Mind Games recorded?
Mind Games was recorded at the Record Plant studio on West 44th Street in New York City during the summer of 1973. The sessions ran from late July to 20 August 1973, produced by John Lennon himself.
Who played on the Mind Games sessions?
The core musicians for the Mind Games basic backing tracks were John Lennon, David Spinozza (guitar), Ken Ascher (piano and organ), Gordon Edwards (bass guitar), and Jim Keltner (drums and percussion). Engineers were Roy Cicala and Dan Barbiero.
Was any Mind Games session material released on the 2024 reissue?
Yes. The deluxe 2024 reissue of Mind Games included previously unreleased session material, including take 4 of You Are Here (a nearly 10-minute version with the song repeated twice) as a hidden track, and take 12 of Only People.
When was Mind Games released?
Mind Games was released in October 1973. It reached number nine in both the UK and US charts, with the title track becoming one of John Lennon's most celebrated solo singles.
John Lennon — officially licensed solo era merch
John Lennon Self Portrait Pullover Hoodie in navy blue.
→ Recording: Beef Jerky by John Lennon – 14 July 1974
→ Interview: John Lennon and Yoko Ono for Record Mirror – 3 August 1971
→ August in Beatles History
→ On This Day in Beatles History
→ John Lennon: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
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