|
The songs on The Beatles composed in India tended to be guitar-based because the Beatles only had stringed instruments with them while they were away. However 'Birthday', was written in Abbey Road Studios, on September 18, 1968 with Paul thumping out the basic tune on a piano. According to John, Paul had been thinking of 'Happy, Happy Birthday', a 1957 hit in America for the Tuneweavers, but wanted to produce something which sounded contemporary and rock'n'roll. It was also Linda Eastman's 26th arriving in London the following weeks, just in time to celebrate. Paul went in the studio during the late afternoon of the 18th and worked out the basic keyboard riff. Later John, George and Ringo came in and added a backing track. During the evening, the four of them took a break and went round to Paul's house to watch the British television premiere of The Girl Can't Help It (1956), which starred Jayne Mansfield and featured music by Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, the Treniers, the Platters, Little Richard and Eddie Cochran. Perhaps inspired by this dose of early rock'n'roll, the Beatles returned to the studio around 11pm and completed the vocals. Each of the Beatles threw in lines and Yoko Ono and Pattie Harrison helped with the backing. "We just made up the words in the studio," said Paul. "It's one of my favourite tracks on the album because it was instantaneous. It's a good one to dance to." John's opinion, volunteered 12 years later, was par foe the course. "It's a piece of garbage." |
|