The Beatles at Abbey Road: Recording Love You To & Got To Get You Into My Life

Monday 11 April 1966 | Recording, The Beatles

On 11 April 1966, The Beatles were at Abbey Road Studios in London, working on sessions that would contribute to their landmark album Revolver.

The day’s work focused on two tracks: ‘Love You To’ by George Harrison and ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ by Lennon and McCartney.

Love You To – George Harrison’s Indian Experiment

‘Love You To’ was one of the most radical departures in The Beatles’ catalogue to date, featuring sitar, tabla, and tambura — instruments drawn from the Indian classical tradition.

Harrison had been studying the sitar under Ravi Shankar and used this session to push his exploration of Indian music into the heart of a Beatles recording.

The track featured Indian session musicians rather than the standard Beatles line-up, marking a significant moment in the band’s musical evolution and in the broader Western adoption of Indian musical influences.

It remains one of the earliest and most fully realised examples of Indian classical instrumentation in Western pop music.

Got To Get You Into My Life – Brass and Soul Influences

‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ took a very different direction, drawing on soul and Motown influences with a prominent brass arrangement.

McCartney later revealed the song was written as an ode to marijuana rather than a romantic relationship, though its upbeat energy and horn-driven arrangement gave it a distinctly commercial feel.

The brass section was recorded with session musicians, adding a new sonic dimension to the track and reflecting The Beatles’ growing interest in studio experimentation during the Revolver sessions.

The Revolver Sessions

Both tracks formed part of the intensive Revolver recording period, during which The Beatles pushed the boundaries of studio production with unprecedented creativity.

Revolver was released on 5 August 1966 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made, representing a pivotal shift from live performance to studio-focused artistry.

Location

Also on This Day in Beatles History

11 April is a significant date in Beatles history. Here’s what else happened:

• 11 April 1961 – The Beatles live at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg
• 11 April 1962 – The Beatles fly to Hamburg for the Star-Club residency
• 11 April 1963 – From Me To You UK single release
• 11 April 1963 – John Lennon meets his son Julian for the first time
• 11 April 1963 – The Beatles live at Co-operative Hall, Middleton
• 11 April 1965 – The Beatles at the NME Poll-Winners Concert, Wembley
• 11 April 1965 – The Beatles on The Eamonn Andrews Show
• 11 April 1967 – Paul McCartney jam session with Brian Wilson & John Phillips
• 11 April 1969 – The Beatles’ Get Back UK single release
• 11 April 1969 – ATV offers to buy Northern Songs shares
• 11 April 2002 – Paul McCartney live at United Center, Chicago
• 11 April 2019 – Ringo Starr All-Starr Band live in Osaka

FAQ

What did The Beatles record on 11 April 1966?

They worked on ‘Love You To’ by George Harrison and ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ by Lennon and McCartney.

What album were these tracks for?

Both tracks appeared on Revolver, released on 5 August 1966.

What instruments were used on Love You To?

Sitar, tabla, and tambura, played by Indian session musicians.

What influenced Got To Get You Into My Life?

Soul and Motown music, with a prominent brass section recorded by session musicians.

Explore more Beatles history: The Beatles Knowledge Hub | On This Day in Beatles History

Shop the Revolver era: Revolver Collection

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