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Rare 7-inch Northern Songs Limited acetate for the classic 1966 Beatles song ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ which was written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon and recorded at the EMI Recording Studio in London on April 28–29 and June 6, 1966. The record retains its original Dick James Music Limited ‘Demo Disc’ label, which bears typed captions: “Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles.” In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks.
Released as the B-side to the single ‘Yellow Submarine,’ the song ‘Eleanor Rigby’ was featured as the second track on the Beatles’ seventh studio album, Revolver, widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time. The track itself remains one of the band’s most beloved songs, with The Who’s Pete Townshend quoted as saying: ‘They are basically my main source of inspiration – and everyone else's for that matter. I think 'Eleanor Rigby' was a very important musical move forward. It certainly inspired me to write and listen to things in that vein.’
Unlike most Beatles hits, ‘Eleanor Rigby’ doesn’t employ a standard pop backing; none of the Beatles played instruments on the track, although Lennon and Harrison did contribute harmony vocals. Like the earlier song ‘Yesterday,’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ used a classical string ensemble – in this case, an octet of studio musicians, comprising four violins, two violas, and two cellos, all performing a score composed by George Martin. The octet was recorded on April 28, 1966, in Studio 2 at EMI Studios, and the track was completed in Studio 3 on April 29 and June 6th, with Take 15 selected as the master. On June 6th, the final overdub was McCartney's addition of the ‘Ah, look at all the lonely people’ refrain over the song's final chorus.
