Background
It's All Too Much is a song by The Beatles, written by Harrison and led on vocal by George Harrison. Feedback-laden George psychedelia; 'sail me on a silver sun' refrain. Within the catalogue, its george-original thread connects it to Don't Bother Me, I Need You, You Like Me Too Much.
What's distinctive
At 6:25 it's among the very longest tracks in the canon (≥99th percentile). One of 28 songs led primarily by George. One of 22 solely Harrison-credited compositions in the canon. Recorded approximately 3 of 11 into the Yellow Submarine (1969) sessions. Carries the unique tag 'psychedelic' — no other song shares it. Take count: 22 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)).Opening line — "When I look into your eyes…" (brief identification excerpt; full lyrics © Sony Music Publishing — see Genius link in References.)
Recording
The session work falls within the band's Yellow Submarine (1969) period, recorded 25 May 1967 at EMI Studios. George Martin produced; Geoff Emerick (1967 sessions); George Martin orchestral score side B engineered. The track was committed to Studer J37 four-track via the REDD.51, with the era's standard signal chain — EMI RS124, EMT 140, Fairchild 660, ADT, Leslie. Likely instrumental setup followed the era's working kit: Epiphone Casino, Hammond organ, Mellotron, harpsichord (Martin), amplified through Vox AC100, Fender Showman. For session-by-session detail, see Mark Lewisohn's account on p.112 of The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (excerpt below).
| Studio | EMI Studios — Studio Two/Three (for the band tracks); CTS for orchestral score |
|---|---|
| Tape machine | Studer J37 four-track |
| Console | REDD.51 |
| Microphones | U47/U48, AKG C12, STC 4038 |
| Outboard / effects | EMI RS124, EMT 140, Fairchild 660, ADT, Leslie |
| Guitars | Epiphone Casino, Hammond organ, Mellotron, harpsichord (Martin) |
| Amplifiers | Vox AC100, Fender Showman |
| Producer | George Martin |
| Engineer / 2nd | Geoff Emerick (1967 sessions); George Martin orchestral score side B • Phil McDonald, Ken Scott |
| Estimated takes | 22 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)) |
Pattern analysis
Legacy & release history
In the canonical discography it appears on the LP Yellow Submarine. Documented alternate versions include 2009 Stereo Remasters. Mono and stereo histories vary by era — see the dedicated section below.
Mono & stereo
- Stereo only on UK release — the band's last three LPs were mixed for stereo; no UK mono LPs were issued.
Documented alternate versions
- 2009 Stereo Remasters — Allan Rouse / Guy Massey remaster
Released on
- Yellow Submarine — LP, 17 January 1969
Cross-references
Other songs sharing themes (psychedelic, george-original, feedback, trumpets)
Other songs led by the same vocalist
Other songs from this era
psychedelicgeorge-originalfeedbacktrumpets