Long, Long, Long: Introduction
“Long, Long, Long” is a Beatles’ song from their 1968 “White Album.” George Harrison wrote the song and indeed sang it as well. However, it is still one of the Fab Four’s recordings from what many consider their best ever studio album.
In Detail
- Publisher: Harrisongs
- Release Date: November 22, 1968
- Recorded: October 7–9, 1968
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Psychedelic folk
- Track Duration: 3:04
- Record Label: Apple
- Songwriter: George Harrison
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Ken Scott
Performers And Instruments
- George Harrison: double-tracked lead vocal, as well as the acoustic guitars
- Paul McCartney: harmony vocal, Hammond organ, and bass guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Other Performer
- Chris Thomas: piano
Where To Find “Long, Long, Long”
You can still buy this song on the following album:
Long, Long, Long: Background
George Harrison began writing the song while in India during their stay at Maharishi’s Ashram. He and the rest of The Beatles were attending Maharishi Mahesh Yogi‘s Transcendental Meditation course in Rishikesh, India. The visit was fruitful, if only for the number of songs that they began writing there.
The song was one of a bundle of songs that would require attention on their return to the UK. It would also see a return to the guitar as the instrument of choice for Harrison after years of studying the sitar, an Indian instrument.
On their self-titled album, this soft ballad actually comes after one of the band’s heaviest rock songs, Helter Skelter. Indeed, the contrast between those two songs couldn’t be any wider.
The song allows George Harrison to show his happiness after reconciling with God again. He explains this further in his autobiography, “I, Me, Mine,” “the ‘you‘ in Long, Long, Long is God.”
While this is a Beatles’ recording, John Lennon plays no part in it.
Recording Studio
The Beatles began recording the track on October 7, 1968, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 2.30 p.m.–7 a.m. sessions. They recorded 67 takes during this final week of the “White Album” sessions, the last one being suitable for the rhythm track and overdubbing.
Work began on the track again after a nine-hour break. Overdubbing included a second vocal and a lead acoustic guitar part from Harrison, while Paul McCartney overdubbed his bass guitar piece.
The recording became complete on the 9th of October, with a little harmony vocals from Paul McCartney and a piano piece by Chris Thomas.
The ending sound effect came about purely by chance, but they decided it was good enough to stay with the song. On one of the Leslie speakers sat a wine bottle that vibrated as Paul McCartney played his keyboard.
“There’s a sound near the end of the song, which is a bottle of Blue Nun wine rattling away on top of a Leslie speaker cabinet. It just happened. Paul hit a certain note, and the bottle started vibrating. We thought it was so good that we set the mikes up and did it again. The Beatles always took advantage of accidents.”
Chris Thomas
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn
The eerie clattering sound from the wine bottle was just too good to miss, so they kept it in all other takes. Final mixing took place on October 14th in order to make Ringo Starr’s drumming more pronounced.
Take A Listen To “Long, Long, Long.”
Once you listen to this song, please consider leaving a comment below.
