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Lady Madonna

Single by The Beatles • 15 March 1968 • Parlophone R 5675

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

About this release

Lady Madonna is a UK single on Parlophone (catalogue R 5675), released 15 March 1968. Last Beatles single on Parlophone before Apple.

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 2:26. McCartney dominates the lead vocals (1/2). Lead writing credit: McCartney (1 of 2).

Tracklist

Side A

Side B

Pattern analysis

Lead vocalists across Lady Madonna
2
McCartney 1
Harrison 1
Songwriters credited on Lady Madonna
McCartney1Harrison1
Track lengths (seconds)
The Inner Light156Lady Madonna137

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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