Now They're Frightened Of Leaving It

January 26th, 1969 (Apple Studios, London): As the Beatles work on the arrangement for Octopus’s Garden’, Ringo tells Paul about the basis for the song, piquing George’s memory of what he was once told about octopuses. (Note: John’s on drums. This clip from the sessions is shortly followed by Heather sharing her personal octopus anecdote with John - which I can’t make out, unfortunately - and more animal banter.)

GEORGE: Hey, it was somebody – he was telling me octopuses go and pick up all the seashells. You know about that?

RINGO: Yes, that’s why I wrote it! ‘Cause the guides told me [about them] on the boat in Sardinia. [inaudible]

GEORGE: Yeah. [to Paul] You know about that? They collect all nice-looking things and make a garden around where they are and just with all their groovy things to sleep behind.

RINGO: Yeah.

GEORGE: [laughs] It’s great.

The Beatles recording session mistakes are pure gold and here are some of the best moments:

0:06: JOHN: That’s not it!!

0:57-onwards: *weird noises*

1:35: PAUL: And if you saw my love, I’d love her… *pfffff*

2:01: JOHN: There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done PAUL: I believe you, Johnny! JOHN: There’s nothing you can sing that can’t be sung. PAUL: There sure is! *continues random ‘Johnny’, ‘you’re right, boy!’*

2:20: JOHN: I’m ready to sing for the world, George. If you just give me the backing!

3:41: *loud guitars* JOHN: Little less of George! It feels I’m singing in a sock.

4:22: “RINGO!!”

4:36: PAUL: We’ll do it anyway, We’ll just blast that bit, that one bit.

5:47: JOHN: Don’t slow down, for Christ’s sake. Or I’m giving you no more drugs!

6:22: JOHN: I just can’t get anywhere near ‘light’ now.

6:34: PAUL: I’ll try to remember, John. And if I don’t it’s just too bad, isn’t it?

6:50: PAUL: George, what did it sound like? Were the bass doing a funny thing, did it sound any good or did it sound like just utterly crap? [..] I did it well, see. Told you! Meh, hello to you and see how you like it.

…and my personal favorite:

3:59: PAUL: Do that again. [to George:] You made a mistake. I KNOW YOU DID! GEORGE: No. *mumbling and grumbling*

so i woke up and randomly decided to draw paul and listen to phoebe

I love how much Paul is horrofied and John amused

Old Fred is just chilling what a champ Ringo is a victim

reason to live

JANUARY 30, 1969 “I love when Paul jumps up and down on the plank, to see if it’s going to hold his weight. He comes across being as hard as nails. They’re all complaining about the cold, but he’s wearing less clothes than anyone else. He’d like to do a two-hour set—impervious to any temperature whatsoever.”— Giles Martin

George Harrison getting dressed at Brian Epstein's flat Whaddon House before The Beatles receive their M.B.E. medals from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, England | 26 October 1965 © Philippe Le Tellier

GET BACK, PART III — Ringo doesn’t talk much, but when he says he’s not going abroad, they are not going abroad. And when he says “I wanna go on the roof”, they’re going on the roof. (x)

PAUL MCCARTNEY & GEORGE HARRISON — trying to close a suitcase, 1964