Recording: Love You To & Paperback Writer – Abbey Road
Wednesday 13 April 1966 | Recording, Revolver, Abbey Road
On 13 April 1966, The Beatles completed George Harrison’s Love You To before moving directly into early work on their next single, Paperback Writer. Recording took place at EMI Studios, Studio Three, under producer George Martin with engineer Geoff Emerick.
This session illustrates the accelerated creative workflow of the mid-1966 Revolver period, where The Beatles frequently completed one composition while simultaneously initiating another.
Completion of Love You To
Work on Love You To had begun on 11 April 1966. The 13 April session opened with a reduction mix, consolidating earlier material into take 7 and freeing additional recording tracks for overdubs. The Beatles then added:
- Ringo Starr – tambourine
- George Harrison – additional fuzz electric guitar
- Paul McCartney – harmony vocals
A short edited sitar passage performed by Harrison was also recorded and used as the song’s introduction, reinforcing its Indian classical influence. Three mono mixes were produced, with select sections edited together to create the final master version released on Revolver. Work on Love You To concluded at approximately 6:30pm.
Beginning Paperback Writer
After a dinner break, the group reconvened at 8:00pm to begin work on Paperback Writer, initiating recording of what would become their next UK single. The rhythm track was recorded in two takes, the first of which was incomplete.
Instrument roles on Paperback Writer (early takes):
- Ringo Starr – drums
- John Lennon – tambourine
- George Harrison – rhythm guitar (Gibson SG)
- Paul McCartney – lead guitar (Epiphone Casino)
The recording process for Paperback Writer would continue into the following day.
Location
3 Abbey Road, St John’s Wood
London, England
Also on This Day in Beatles History
- 13 April 1961 – The Beatles at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg
- 13 April 1962 – The Beatles’ Star-Club Hamburg debut
- 13 April 1963 – The Beatles’ first national BBC TV appearance
- 13 April 1964 – George Harrison filming A Hard Day’s Night
- 13 April 1965 – Help! slow motion scene, Twickenham
- 13 April 1965 – McCartney buys 7 Cavendish Avenue
- 13 April 1965 – The Beatles on Pop Inn BBC Radio
- 13 April 1965 – Recording ‘Help!’ at Abbey Road
- 13 April 1971 – Paul McCartney mixing RAM in Los Angeles
FAQ
What was completed on 13 April 1966?
The Beatles completed mixing and overdubs for Love You To and began recording Paperback Writer.
Who produced the session?
George Martin produced the session, with Geoff Emerick as engineer.
What is notable about Love You To?
It is one of George Harrison’s earliest fully developed Indian-influenced compositions, featuring sitar and tabla textures and marking a significant expansion of The Beatles’ sonic palette.
Did Paperback Writer finish on this day?
No. Only the initial rhythm track recordings were completed on 13 April; the song was finished the following day.
What guitar did Paul McCartney play on Paperback Writer?
McCartney played lead guitar on an Epiphone Casino during the early takes recorded on 13 April 1966.
Explore more Beatles history: The Beatles Knowledge Hub | On This Day in Beatles History | April in Beatles History | 13 April in Beatles History
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Love You To recording 1966, Paperback Writer recording session, Beatles Abbey Road April 1966, Revolver sessions 1966, George Harrison sitar Beatles, Geoff Emerick Beatles engineer Revolver
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