Towards the end of The Beatles, tensions within the band were reaching a boiling point. By 1968, when they went back to Abbey Road to record “The Beatles” (AKA “The White Album"), Paul McCartney was very critical of Ringo’s drumming, especially during the rehearsals for the "Back in the U.S.S.R." session on August 22, 1968.
This led to Ringo leaving the group for a couple of weeks (left for Italy, where he famously composed “Octopus’ Garden”, but that’s another story). During those 2 weeks, the recording sessions continued and it was up to the only drummer left in the band - Paul - to sit on the throne and get it done.
Let’s go through these memorable McCartney-drummer Beatles songs:
1. "Back in the U.S.S.R." (1968)
As we mentioned, Ringo left. But although Paul’s drumming was (is) good, according to the recording engineer Ken Scott they created a "composite drum track of bits and pieces". The drum track has some interesting, fast-paced tom arrangement, so kudos to Paul for pulling it off.
2. “Dear Prudence” (1968)
Recorded at Trident Studios during these same 2 weeks, from 28 to 30 August, with the drum track being laid down on the 28th.
The drum track features some complex drumming by Paul, including some 10 bars of continuous fills, in a true display of just how good all of them were in multiple instruments and composing (and, - probable hot take here -, Paul is the most versatile of them all).
3. “Martha My Dear” (1968)
The stereotypical McCartney tune. You can’t get more Paul than this (well, you can, I think “Maxwell's Silver Hammer'' takes the win. “Granny music”, as the rest of the band called it).
Recorded almost entirely by Paul McCarney, except for a few guitar overdubs by George Harrison and some orchestral instruments played by session musicians. Recorded on the 4 and 5 October 1968, this song is proof that Paul alone could pull off a great tune by himself (if there was ever any doubt). The drums are pretty straightforward, serving the song and carrying it forward. Nice tune, simple drums. A great Beatle song.
4. “The Ballad of John and Yoko” (1969)
In a similar fashion to “Martha My Dear”, “The Ballad of John and Yoko” is Lennon tune through and through. Lennon wrote the song in March 1969 during his honeymoon with Yoko, and upon returning he immediately brought it to McCartney, showing up at his house in April and eager to record it that same day.
But, Harrison was overseas and Ringo was filming “The Magic Christian”. They pushed through and went to Abbey Road anyway, as a duo. Reflecting the unusual situation, the session tapes include the following exchange:
The drums are straightforward, carrying the simple tune, with simple fills and arrangements. Like they didn’t have a lot of time to reflect on it. Ho, wait, they didn’t!
What’s your favorite McCarney on drums song?
1 comment
Secondo me è sempre stato Mc Cartney a suonare la batteria in studio. Sfido chiunque a trovare un video, datato o recente che sia, in cui Ringo Starr suona la batteria nello stile che a lui viene universalmente attribuito. Sto parlando ovviamente di video non rieditati o rimaneggiati o ristrutturati. Non ne esistono, mentre ne esistono di Paul MC Cartney che imita perfettamente “Ringo Starr” alla batteria. Quindi, a stretto rigore, non c’è prova della attività in studio di Starr. Quello dei Beatles è un ottimo batterista, di chiunque si tratti, e un musicista efficace e intrigante. Ma io dubito che possa essere Ringo.