Ringo & George Rehearsing Octopus’s Garden 1969.
“Octopus’s Garden” is a song by The Beatles written by Ringo Starr from their 1969 album Abbey Road.
George Harrison worked on the song with Starr; perhaps out of solidarity as his own songs were often dismissed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Harrison commented: “‘Octopus’s Garden’ is Ringo’s song. It’s only the second song Ringo has ever written, mind you, and it’s lovely.” Harrison added that the song gets very deep into your consciousness “Because it’s so peaceful. I suppose Ringo is writing cosmic songs these days without even realising it.”
The idea for the song came about when Starr was on a boat belonging to comedian Peter Sellers in Sardinia in 1968. He ordered fish and chips for lunch, but instead of fish he got squid (it was the first time he’d eaten squid, and he said, “It was OK. A bit rubbery. Tasted like chicken.”)
Then the boat’s captain told Starr about how octopuses travel along the sea bed picking up stones and shiny objects with which to build gardens.
The song, which contains the lyrics “Oh what joy for every girl and boy / Knowing they’re happy and they’re safe,” is sometimes thought of as being a song for children, like “Yellow Submarine”, “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” or “All Together Now”. It has also been performed by the Muppets several times in various episodes of their shows.
The basic instrumental track was recorded 26 April 1969, with the classic Beatles lineup of two electric guitars (Harrison and John Lennon, the latter using his fingerstyle technique as on “Julia”, “Dear Prudence”, etc.), bass guitar (Paul McCartney), and drums (Starr).
Starr also provided a temporary guide vocal. (Take 2 of the recording, featuring this guide vocal—Starr singing the first verse three times—is track 14 on Disc 2 of Anthology 3.)
In the absence of George Martin the Beatles themselves were listed as producer, with Martin’s apprentice Chris Thomas present in the control room to assist. Thirty-two takes were required before the Beatles were satisfied with the track.
The backing vocals by McCartney and Harrison during the guitar solo were put through compressors and limiters to create a gurgling sound. Starr added the sound of bubbles being blown into a glass of water using a straw
Duration : 0:3:5
Tags: 1969, Abbey, April, Be, Beatles, Definition, Garden, George, Harrison, HD, High, It, John, Lennon, Let, McCartney, Octopus's, Octopuses, Paul, rare, Ringo, Road, Starr, The
george looks proud …
george looks proud when ringo starts playing the piano, and john’s like “i wanna join in too!”
but when paul walks in, they all get quiet. O_o
Ringo did write …
Ringo did write Dont Pass Me By. Pre- Octopuss Garden Ringo was credited for/in What Goes On, the instrumental Flying, and Dont Pass Me By, and he also worked on Revolution 9 more than Paul McCartney had.
From what I recall, Ringo wrote Dont Pass Me By in 1963, but put the finishing touches on it while on the transcendental retreat The Beatles took in India, then to be placed on their self titled album.
they have remasterd …
they have remasterd all of them
ok now i need to …
ok now i need to watch the whole movie!
A great song, which …
A great song, which i really love!
I thought he wrote …
I thought he wrote Don’t Pass Me By
they did remaster …
they did remaster it i thought?
i bought Abbey Road remastered a while ago
Very interesting …
Very interesting story behind the song. Thanks!!!
Your right, I’m …
Your right, I’m sorry, I was thinking of Yellow Submarine. But Paul thought of the chorus in 1964 in an interview with the BBC
@TheQuarrymen57 ??? …
@TheQuarrymen57 ??? No Don’t Pass Me By was definitely written by Ringo
I Love Them!!
I Love Them!!
Paul wrote that, …
Paul wrote that, Ringo wasn’t credited on it
@TheQuarrymen57
…
@TheQuarrymen57
Ringos 2nd song was “dont pass me by” on the white album.
Aww, I rarely see …
Aww, I rarely see videos of them alone just rehearsing
i love it! Post more if you can find some.
That was great.
…
That was great.
Is this audio part of the “intro” for the song in the Beatles Rock Band game?
It’s funny because …
It’s funny because Harrison is right it is Ringo’s second song, the first was on Rubber Soul called What Goes On and it was co-written by McCartney-Lennon
Lovely video, I wish apple would remaster it like Help! and Yellow Submarine and Hard Day’s Night
Aww Ringo….
Aww Ringo….
Ringo on piano=gem.
Ringo on piano=gem.
Harrirson/Starkey= …
Harrirson/Starkey= Lennon/McCartney
ringo’s so cute
ringo’s so cute