12-Bar Original: Introduction

“12-Bar Original” is a Beatles instrumental track from 1965. Indeed, The Beatles released a few instrumentals in their early career.

In Detail

Performers And Instruments

• George Harrison: lead guitar
• John Lennon: lead guitar
• Paul McCartney: bass
• Ringo Starr: drums
• George Martin: harmonium

Where To Find “12-Bar Original”

At the moment, you can find this song on the following album:

12-Bar Original: Background

Not many songs/tracks give credit to all The Beatles, but this one did. As you can see above, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Richard Starkey wrote this instrumental track. The other Beatles’ tracks credited to all four Beatles are “Flying,” “Dig It,” and “Christmas Time (Is Here Again).” The latter being the B-side to their 1995 single “Free as a Bird.”

Although recording took place in 1965, it was never available for commercial release until the “Anthology 2” album came out in 1996. However, this edited version is less than 3 minutes long, while the original piece was 6 minutes and 36 seconds.

The Beatles’ attempt at the blues obviously gave us something to resemble a “Booker T. & The MG’s” sound. It is a little drab and was recorded while the Fab Four were preparing for their “Rubber Soul” album. Without knowing any information about this instrumental, not many people would guess that this was a Beatles’ track, of course.

Indeed, it doesn’t appear to have any real purpose. So, one can only presume they were just passing the time of day on this one. It could also be that they churned it out just in case they needed a “filler” track for the new album. Be that as it may, “12-Bar Original” is a Beatles’ composition and, as such, has historical value!

Recording Studio

The Beatles began recording “12-Bar Original” on November 4, 1965, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 11.00 p.m.–3.30 a.m. session. There were two takes that day and it is take 2, which appears on the “Anthology 2” album. Prior to recording their instrumental, they also recorded one take of “What Goes On.”

This wasn’t the only instrumental track that The Beatles recorded, but it was the first after signing up with EMI in 1962. For example, their 1967 track “Flying” is an instrumental, although it does include some “wordless vocals.” Then, before they became The Beatles, they recorded “Cayenne” (1960) and “Cry for a Shadow” (1961) as The Quarrymen and The Beat Brothers, respectfully.

Only John Lennon and Ringo Starr ever commented on this track publicly. Lennon once replied to an American DJ about unissued tracks that he could remember: “some lousy 12 bar.” While Starr told journalist Peter Palmiere that “we all wrote the track, and I have an acetate of one of the versions.”

Take A Listen To “12-Bar Original”

This is not a Beatles track that most will remember, but it is part of the Fab Four’s history. So, let us know your thoughts.