Good Day Sunshine: Introduction

To begin with, “Good Day Sunshine” is a Beatles’ song from their 1966 album, “Revolver.”

In Detail

Release Date: August 5, 1966
Recorded: June 8, 1966
Studio: EMI Studios, London
Genre: Rock
Track Duration: 2:09
Record Label: Parlophone
Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Geoff Emerick

Performers And Instruments

Paul McCartney: bass guitar, lead vocals, piano, and also the handclaps
John Lennon: guitar**, harmony vocal, as well as the handclaps
George Harrison: harmony vocal, also the handclaps
Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine, as well as the handclaps
George Martin: piano solo

** We credit John Lennon with the guitar playing, but at the time of writing, this is not clear.

Where To Find “Good Day Sunshine”

You can still buy this song on the following album:

Revolver (1966)

Good Day Sunshine: Background

Written primarily by Paul McCartney but credit goes to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, of course, “Good Day Sunshine” is a happy, uplifting song capable of raising the spirits at any time of year. McCartney wrote the song at John Lennon’s home, “Kenwood,” in St George’s Hill, Weybridge, Surrey, England, where he also wrote “Here, There And Everywhere.”

“It was really very much a nod to The Lovin’ Spoonful’s Daydream, the same traditional, almost trad-jazz feel. That was our favourite record of theirs. Good Day Sunshine was me trying to write something similar to Daydream. John and I wrote it together at Kenwood, but it was basically mine, and he helped me with it.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

The influence for the song obviously came from “Daydream,” the number 2 hit in the UK and the US by American band The Lovin’ Spoonful. This folk rock record also went to number 13 in Australia. However, it reached number 1 in both New Zealand and Canada. Paul McCartney says he wanted to capture the song’s “old-timey vaudevillian feel” and that he did.

Recording Studio

The Beatles recorded the song on June 8, 1966, under the working title “A Good Day’s Sunshine.” This was in the famous Studio Two at the EMI Studios in London during the 2.30 p.m.–2.30 a.m. session.

Here, they recorded three takes after rehearsals but their first take proved to be the best rhythm track. So, the next day, they applied the overdubs, including the harmonies, etc. For George Martin’s piano solo, the tape speed was running slower; thus, on playback, it sounds faster.

The song was now ready for inclusion as the first track on their 1966 album, “Revolver,” where it sits just before Lennon’s “And Your Bird Can Sing.” Listen carefully around the 1:27 mark because Lennon repeats McCartney’s line, “She feels good,” but it’s very quiet.

Take A Listen

Finally, what are your thoughts about this song?