Pepperland: Introduction
“Pepperland”, is the first track on side two of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine album from 1969. In fact, Side 2 of this album contains only orchestral pieces by George Martin.
The tunes allow for the vibrant graphics of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine film from 1968. Therefore, Pepperland represents part of the soundtrack to that movie.
In Detail
- Release Date: January 17, 1969 (UK), January 13, 1969 (US)
- Recorded: October 22nd–23rd, 1968
- Studio: EMI Studios, Abbey Road
- Genre: Classical, orchestral
- Track Duration: 2:21
- Record Label: Apple
- Composer: George Martin
- Producer: George Martin (Co-producers: John Burgess and Ron Richards)
- Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Performers And Instruments
George Martin brought in and conducted a 41-piece orchestra to the Abbey Road Studios. Obviously, none of the Beatles took part in the recording of this instrumental track. However, the track is important to the Yellow Submarine project.
Where To Find The Instrumental “Pepperland”
You can still buy this instrumental piece by getting a hold of the following soundtrack album. But don’t confuse this album with its songtrack counterpart. Read further to find out why.
Pepperland: Background
George Martin wrote the score for the 1968 animated Yellow Submarine film. “Pepperland” is a classic instrumental that starts off the film and is also the first track on side 2 of the soundtrack album. Indeed, it is an emotional piece that wonderfully sets the scene for the film.
This is the most serious instrumental in the film, and it’s melody repeats itself a few times. There are no sound effects within the piece, like in some other incidental pieces. Martin also incorporates his brief piano piece and a dramatic ending, which concludes a marvellous piece of music.
Although these instrumental pieces by George Martin are not the Beatles’ songs, they are on the band’s album and in the film. As such, they play an important role in the Yellow Submarine project, so we are highlighting them here.
Most people won’t remember the film for George Martin’s music, of course. This is because the film has so many Beatles’ songs throughout. For example, “Eleanor Rigby,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” and “All You Need Is Love,” to name but a few. However, George Martin contributed so much to making the film a success.
Pepperland itself is a music paradise 80,000 leagues beneath the sea. Protected by the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the inhabitants are content and full of happiness. However, the film is all about the day their paradise came under attack, only for The Beatles to come to the rescue.
Recording Studio
On October 22 and 23, 1968, George Martin was the arranger and conductor of a 41-piece orchestra at the EMI Studios. Martin hired the orchestra in order to record the score for the Yellow Submarine film. The Beatles themselves had no involvement with these arrangements, of course.
All these instrumentals are on the film’s soundtrack album from 1969. However, this album only has 6 Beatles’ songs. Thirty years later, in 1999, The Beatles released the Yellow Submarine Songtrack album, which has 15 Beatles’ songs from the film and none of George Martin’s instrumental pieces.
Take A Listen
Finally, take a listen to the instrumental piece by George Martin. Then, let us know what your thoughts are below.
