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Overview
"Hello, Goodbye" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. Backed by John Lennon's "I Am the Walrus", it was issued as a non-album single in November 1967, the group's first release since the death of their manager, Brian Epstein. The single was commercially successful around the world, topping charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, Canada, Australia and several other countries. [Wikipedia]
Background
Hello, Goodbye is a song by The Beatles, written by McCartney and led on vocal by Paul McCartney. Chart No.1; coda 'Heyla' from a Maori choir-style fadeout. Within the catalogue, its no1 thread connects it to Get Back, I Feel Fine.
What's distinctive
At 3:31 it sits in the top fifth by length. One of 65 songs led primarily by Paul. Recorded approximately 11 of 11 into the Magical Mystery Tour (late 1967) sessions. Carries the unique tag 'coda' — no other song shares it. Take count: 58 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)).Opening line — "You say yes, I say no…" (brief identification excerpt; full lyrics © Sony Music Publishing — see Genius link in References.)
Pattern analysis
Recording
The session work falls within the band's Magical Mystery Tour (late 1967) period, recorded 2 Oct 1967 at EMI Studios + Olympic Sound Studios (Barnes) for some MMT/All You Need Is Love work. George Martin produced; Geoff Emerick engineered. For session-by-session detail, see Mark Lewisohn's account on p.10 of The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (excerpt below).
| Studio | EMI Studios + Olympic Sound Studios (Barnes) for some MMT/All You Need Is Love work |
|---|---|
| Tape machine | Synced J37 four-tracks; first Beatles 8-track session (Trident's Ampex AG-440) imminent — Hey Jude, July 1968 |
| Console | REDD.51 + Helios at Olympic |
| Microphones | U47/U48, AKG C12, ribbon mics (4038) |
| Outboard / effects | EMI RS124, EMT 140, Fairchild 660, ADT, tape phasing, Leslie cabinet |
| Guitars | Epiphone Casino, Fender Stratocaster (Harrison — psychedelic 'Rocky' Strat), Mellotron, clavioline |
| Amplifiers | Vox AC100, Vox UL730, Fender Showman, Fender Bassman |
| Producer | George Martin |
| Engineer / 2nd | Geoff Emerick • Ken Scott on some sessions |
| Estimated takes | 58 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)) |
Legacy & release history
In the canonical discography it on the single Hello, Goodbye. Documented alternate versions include Anthology 2 (1996), 2009 Stereo Remasters. Mono and stereo histories vary by era — see the dedicated section below. Released as A-side single (24 November 1967) opposite 'I Am the Walrus'; single paired with MMT EP in UK Parlophone 2-EP set.
Mono & stereo
- Mixed primarily in mono at Abbey Road; the Beatles attended only the mono mixes through Sgt Pepper.
- Stereo mixes from this period were prepared (often without the band present) and are now considered secondary by purists.
Documented alternate versions
- Anthology 2 (1996) — alternate take or mix
- 2009 Stereo Remasters — Allan Rouse / Guy Massey remaster
Released on
- Hello, Goodbye — Single, 24 November 1967
Cross-references
Other songs sharing themes (no1, coda, maori-fade, binary)
Other songs led by the same vocalist
Other songs from this era
no1codamaori-fadebinary
References & external databases
Frequently asked
Who wrote Hello, Goodbye?
“Hello, Goodbye” is credited to Paul McCartney (Lennon–McCartney).
Who sings lead on Hello, Goodbye?
The lead vocal on “Hello, Goodbye” is by Paul McCartney.
When was Hello, Goodbye recorded?
“Hello, Goodbye” was recorded 2 Oct 1967 at EMI Studios, Abbey Road.
How many takes did Hello, Goodbye require?
Mark Lewisohn's session log documents up to 58 numbered takes for “Hello, Goodbye”.