Savoy Truffle: Introduction
“Savoy Truffle” is a unique song by The Beatles. Indeed, they recorded this track for their “White Album” in 1968. George Harrison wrote the song while thinking of his friend, Eric Clapton.
In short, Clapton had a liking for chocolates, and Harrison, through his song, warned of the effects they would have on his teeth. So, the song listed all the various flavours in a box of Mackintosh’s “Good News” chocolates!
In Detail
- Publisher: Harrisongs
- Release Date: November 22, 1968 (UK), November 25, 1968 (US)
- Recorded: October 3, 5, 11 and 14, 1968
- Studio: Trident Studios, London, also EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Soul, blues rock
- Track Duration: 2:54
- Record Label: Apple
- Songwriter: George Harrison
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineers: Barry Sheffield, Ken Scott
Performers And Instruments
- George Harrison: double-tracked vocal, rhythm guitar, lead guitars, Hammond organ, also the acoustic guitar (fill)
- Paul McCartney: harmony vocal and the bass guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Other Performers
- Chris Thomas: electric piano, organ, and also the horn arrangement
- Art Ellefson, Danny Moss, and Derek Collins: tenor saxophone
- Ronnie Ross, Bernard George, and Harry Klein: baritone saxophone
- Uncredited: tambourine
Where To Find “Savoy Truffle”
Savoy Truffle: Background
This is a clever Beatles’ song that lists the contents of a box of chocolates. George Harrison used the box of Mackintosh’s “Good News” chocolates as the basis for the song because his friend, Eric Clapton, began eating them after he came to Harrison’s home on one of his many visits. This was a way of Harrison warning Clapton about the possibility of tooth decay and the subsequent pain.
“Savoy Truffle is a funny one written whist hanging out with Eric Clapton in the ’60s. At that time, he had a lot of cavities in his teeth and needed dental work. He always had a toothache, but he ate a lot of chocolates; he couldn’t resist them, and once he saw a box, he had to eat them all.
He was over at my house, and I had a box of Good News chocolates on the table and wrote the song from the names inside the lid. I got stuck with the two bridges for a while, and Derek Taylor wrote some of the words in the middle: ‘You know that what you eat you are‘.”
George Harrison
I Me Mine, 1980
Although some of the named chocolates in the song are from the lid of the box and are authentic, Harrison invented some. For example, cherry cream, coconut fudge, and pineapple hearts were not part of the original confectionery. Here’s the lid from the box of chocolates in question.
Writing The Song
Harrison obviously shows his passion for rhythm and blues with this song. However, he needed a little assistance to write it. He took some guidance from Derek Taylor, who was Apple Records’ press officer at the time. Taylor pointed out the title of the 1968 American counterculture film “You Are What You Eat,” which helped with the second bridge section.
Within the song, there is a reference to The Beatles’ song, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” of course. This was not a new fad because John Lennon previously incorporated a Beatles’ song in “I Am The Walrus” when he gave a mention to “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.”
Although the song seems innocent enough, there is an alternative theory by musicologist Walter Everett. He suggests that it might have been George Harrison’s attempt to rewrite a Byrds‘ song, “Artificial Energy,” from 1968. That song warns about the dangers of using drugs.
Be that as it may, the song has a clear, basic message, with George Harrison’s guitar solo dramatically reflecting the feel of a dentist’s drill.
Recording Studio
John Lennon does not feature at all on “Savoy Truffle.” However, the rest of the band began recording the track on October 3, 1968, at Trident Studios in London. There was only one take on this day, and on October 5, Harrison recorded his vocal track for overdubbing.
Further overdubbing and adjustments took place on October 11 at Studio Two in the EMI Studios, London (3.00–6.00pm sessions). In those same studios on October 14, more adjustments took place, and the track was complete.
Take A Listen To “Savoy Truffle.”
Finally, have your say. Give the song a try and see what you make of it.