Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Recorded in December 1966, take 2 (basic track) of When I'm Sixty-Four captures the song at its original speed, before the tape was sped up during the final mix.
This recording represents the basic track, with Paul on bass, John on guitar and Ringo on drums. John's guitar closely follows the bass line, creating a compact double figure reminiscent of certain Beach Boys arrangements of the time. Towards the end, John plays a short fingerstyle solo, with a very characteristic approach to his personal technique.
Ringo's drum part is intentionally basic and minimal at this stage, with the studio metronome clearly audible in the background, functioning primarily as a guide for the musicians and for subsequent overdubs. Later, brushes and additional cymbal and ride accents were added, giving the final version a more polished and lively character.
Paul's bass deserves a special mention: played with great precision, perfectly aligned with the bass drum, it provides a solid and steady pulse. This rhythmic approach clearly references early jazz and popular music styles of the 1920s, a key influence on the character of the song.
Listening to take 2 at its original speed offers an unusual insight into the initial character of the song, revealing a more relaxed and natural groove. The decision to speed up the tape was in response to Paul's desire for his voice to sound higher and more youthful.
It should be remembered that McCartney composed When I'm Sixty-Four when he was a teenager, around the age of 16, on the piano in his family home, originally as a song dedicated to his father.
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Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Personnel:
Paul McCartney - 1964 Rickenbacker 4001 S
John Lennon - 1965 Epiphone Casino
Ringo Starr - 1964 Ludwig Super Classic Drums
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Get exclusive multitracks! join me on Patreon: patreon.com/c/dld2music
Thanks to my current Patreons: Jacob Thomas, Eli Rosen, Ilan, Sylvain Paquette, One_After_909, jack sadlier, Frontpenny.
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#thebeatlesvideo #johnlennon #paulmccartney #georgeharrison #TheBeatles
Recorded in December 1966, take 2 (basic track) of When I'm Sixty-Four captures the song at its original speed, before the tape was sped up during the final mix.
This recording represents the basic track, with Paul on bass, John on guitar and Ringo on drums. John's guitar closely follows the bass line, creating a compact double figure reminiscent of certain Beach Boys arrangements of the time. Towards the end, John plays a short fingerstyle solo, with a very characteristic approach to his personal technique.
Ringo's drum part is intentionally basic and minimal at this stage, with the studio metronome clearly audible in the background, functioning primarily as a guide for the musicians and for subsequent overdubs. Later, brushes and additional cymbal and ride accents were added, giving the final version a more polished and lively character.
Paul's bass deserves a special mention: played with great precision, perfectly aligned with the bass drum, it provides a solid and steady pulse. This rhythmic approach clearly references early jazz and popular music styles of the 1920s, a key influence on the character of the song.
Listening to take 2 at its original speed offers an unusual insight into the initial character of the song, revealing a more relaxed and natural groove. The decision to speed up the tape was in response to Paul's desire for his voice to sound higher and more youthful.
It should be remembered that McCartney composed When I'm Sixty-Four when he was a teenager, around the age of 16, on the piano in his family home, originally as a song dedicated to his father.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Personnel:
Paul McCartney - 1964 Rickenbacker 4001 S
John Lennon - 1965 Epiphone Casino
Ringo Starr - 1964 Ludwig Super Classic Drums
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get exclusive multitracks! join me on Patreon: patreon.com/c/dld2music
Thanks to my current Patreons: Jacob Thomas, Eli Rosen, Ilan, Sylvain Paquette, One_After_909, jack sadlier, Frontpenny.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#thebeatlesvideo #johnlennon #paulmccartney #georgeharrison #TheBeatles
