Sexy Sadie: Introduction

John Lennon wrote “Sexy Sadie” while nearing the end of his trip to India. This 1968 song is a track on The Beatles “White Album.” However, “Take 6” is also on their “Anthology 3” album.

In Detail

Publisher: Northern Songs
Release Date: November 22, 1968 (UK), November 25, 1968 (US)
Recorded: July 19 & 24, and August 13 & 21, 1968
Studio: EMI Studios, London
Genre: Rock
Track Duration: 3:15
Record Label: Apple
Songwriter: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Ken Scott

Performers And Instruments

John Lennon: lead and harmony vocals, rhythm guitar, and also the Hammond organ
George Harrison: backing vocals, also the lead guitar
Paul McCartney: piano, bass guitar, and also the backing vocals
Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine

Where To Find “Sexy Sadie”

You can still buy this song on the following albums:

**The original version of the song is on the White Album, but the Anthology 3 version is interesting.

Sexy Sadie: Background

Allegedly, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi made some sexual advances towards actress Mia Farrow, so this inspired Lennon to write the song.

“That’s about the Maharishi, yes. I copped out, and I wouldn’t write, ‘Maharishi, what have you done? You made a fool of everyone‘, but now it can be told, Fab Listeners.”
John Lennon
Rolling Stone Magazine (1970)

Although Lennon wanted to call the song “Maharishi,” he changed the title to “Sexy Sadie” after George Harrison gave him a quiet word or two.

“John had a song he had started to write which he was singing: ‘Maharishi, what have you done?’ and I said, ‘You can’t say that; it’s ridiculous.’ I came up with the title of Sexy Sadie and John changed ‘Maharishi’ to ‘Sexy Sadie’.”
George Harrison
Anthology

Without doubt, John Lennon was not happy with certain incidents while he was at the Indian meditation camp. It’s not surprising then that The Beatles distanced themselves publicly from the Maharishi at a later date.

Maharishi

Although the full story of what happened at Maharishi’s ashram is still sketchy and possibly will remain so, it is clear that certain band members were not happy with their association with the master and his camp.

John Lennon admits that the inspiration behind the song was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and says the following:

“I wrote it when we had our bags packed and were leaving. It was the last piece I wrote before I left India. I just called him ‘Sexy Sadie,’ instead of (sings) ‘Maharishi what have you done, you made a fool…’ I was just using the situation to write a song, rather calculatingly but also to express what I felt. I was leaving the Maharishi with a bad taste. You know, it seems that my partings are always not as nice as I’d like them to be.”

Lennon also says that when the Maharishi asked why he was leaving, he replied, “Well, if you’re so cosmic, you’ll know why.” Of course, now it is all in one song!

Back home in England, John Lennon scratched the lyrics into a piece of wood with the original title “Maharishi.” That original carving is now in the hands of a Beatles collector. Now wouldn’t we all like to own that?

Recording Studio

The Beatles began recording “Sexy Sadie” on July 19, 1968, in Studio Two at the EMI Studios in London (7.30 p.m.–4.00 a.m. sessions). In total, there were 21 takes on the day, but none of those were suitable for the master rhythm track. However, their take six is on the “Anthology 3” album.

John Lennon’s disgust at the Maharishi came again to the fore while he started the sessions with the following lines:

You little twat.
Who the f*ck do you think you are?
Who the f*ck do you think you are?
Oh, you c*nt.
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions
Mark Lewisohn

On July 24, there were another 23 takes; again, none were suitable because the White Album needed something special. However, on August 13, they cracked it with a final take of seven.

With further overdubbing and reduction mixing on the chosen take, “Sexy Sadie” was finally complete.

Take A Listen

Finally, onto the record. Give the song a spin and see what you think. Indeed, you can leave your opinions below.