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Hey Jude

Single by The Beatles • 30 August 1968 • Parlophone R 5722

The White Album (1968) — Each track its own room. Minimal. Sprawling.

About this release

Hey Jude is a UK single on Parlophone (catalogue R 5722), released 30 August 1968. First single on the Apple label. UK and US No.1.

The recording context is the band's The White Album (1968) period, produced by George Martin (with Chris Thomas covering) with Ken Scott (early), Geoff Emerick walked off — replaced engineering. The track(s) were committed at EMI Studios + Trident Studios (Soho on Studer A80 8-track (Trident), 4-track at EMI until late 1968 via the REDD/TG12345 prototype; Trident A-Range.

Contents Preface 4 The Paul McCartney Interview 6 1962 Recording sessions for: `Love Me Do', `Please Please Me' 19631967 16 Recording sessions for: `Penny Lane', 92 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Yellow Submarine, `All You Need Is Love', Magical Mystery Tour, `Hello, Goodbye' Recording sessions for: Please…— Mark Lewisohn, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, p.3

What's distinctive

2 tracks; average length 5:18. Lennon dominates the lead vocals (1/2). Lead writing credit: McCartney (1 of 2). 1 marquee song(s) on this release have hand-crafted extended essays.

Tracklist

Side A

Side B

Pattern analysis

Lead vocalists across Hey Jude
2
Lennon 1
McCartney 1
Songwriters credited on Hey Jude
McCartney1Lennon1
Track lengths (seconds)
Hey Jude431Revolution205

Era technical context

MicrophonesU47/U48, AKG C12, U67 introduced
OutboardEMI RS124, EMT 140 & 250 (Trident), Fairchild 660, ADT, tape flanging, fuzz, wah (Vox/CryBaby)
GuitarsEpiphone Casino, Fender Strat (Rocky), Gibson J-200 acoustic, Martin D-28, Fender Telecaster Bass
AmplifiersFender Twin Reverb, Fender Bassman, Vox UL730

References & external databases

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