Living In The Material World

Predictably, the Martin Scorsese-helmed George Harrison doc for HBO is great. I stayed up until 4:30am watching it the other night. Harrison did, after all, write my favorite Beatles song.

 

See it.

The Beatles' "Long Long Long"

My favorite Beatles song is "Long Long Long" off the White Album. It was written by George Harrison. John Lennon doesn't even appear on it.

While the mono version is great, I especially love the S  P  A  C  E created by the stereo mix. Such great instrument separation and panoramic positioning. I love how the Beatles often used the studio as a songwriting tool; here, the rattling heard at the end of the song is the result of a wine bottle sitting on a Leslie speaker and getting harmonically excited by notes played by McCartney's Hammond organ. 

It's perhaps the most underrated Beatles song, and part of the reason I love it so.

"Long Long Long" (Stereo)


"Long Long Long" (Mono)


BONUS: Low also covered this song to great effect.