The Beatle’s Recording Transition from the Mop Tops

Based on the UK song release date (August 1965), Paul McCartney’s mega-hit “Yesterday”, marked their 80th release since 1962 and more importantly, the first song that didn’t include any other band member either singing or playing an instrument. John, George and Ringo agreed that this song deserved a different production approach and watched the session from the studio control room. But they all recognized the significance of this watershed decision.

A year later, the partial band dynamic occurred and again, it was on several McCartney songs including “Eleanor Rigsby” and “For No One” which both featured only Paul and Ringo. Next, George Harrison’s Indian influenced “Love You Too” is minus John Lennon. Finally, Lennon’s “She Said, She Said” was recorded without Paul who, due to band friction, walked out of the studio. 1966 goes down as their next to lowest output with only 16 new songs, 25% of which are without a full band. The low output was due to a combination of their global tour schedule and general burnout. Click here to review their live performances from 1961 to 1966 to better appreciate why.

1967’s total new song output increased to 24 of which only 2 involved a partial band including “She’s Leaving Home” with only John and Paul performing and “Within You Without You”, another Harrison Indian influenced song. The rest of…