On this day in music history: February 4, 1968 - The Beatles record “Across The Universe” at Abbey Road Studios in London in Studio Three. Written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon and McCartney), it is originally in contention to be the bands Spring single release, though it is passed over in favor of “Lady Madonna”. Lennon writes the song in late 1967 - early 1968, during his initial interest in Transcendental Meditation, adding the mantra “Jai guru deva om” as a central part of the song. The basic track is recorded in seven takes during a marathon run of sessions prior to The Beatles trip to India. Paul McCartney selects Lizzie Bravo and Gayleen Pease, two female fans standing outside the studio, to come in and sing the high harmony vocals on the song. “Across The Universe” initially surfaces in December 1969 on the charity album “No One’s Gonna Change Our World”. The track is originally released in mono only, with bird sound effects added to beginning and end of the track. It is dramatically remixed by Phil Spector and included on the Let It Be album in May of 1970, removing the female background vocals, sound effects and slowing the song down to more closely mirror its original speed. “Across The Universe” is also the inspiration for (and title of) a musical film centered around The Beatles’ music, released in 2007.
thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves
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