They made it up in the studio, with Paul coming up with the first bits and John adding to it when he arrived. Their intention to make it the sort of old-style rock'n'roll song it became was fueled by the movie they saw on TV during the break in recording -- The Girl Can't Help It (Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, et al.). Chris Thomas was producing, and Paul asked him if he'd ever seen that movie. He said he hadn't, so Paul said he absolutely had to come by the house and watch it with them, as it was being shown on TV that night. They all watched it at Paul's, and then came back and finished the song, making it even more hyper. They were in such a good mood, they even left Patti and Yoko's backing vocals in the final mix. (This is all according to accounts I've read, sort of all stuck together.)
an ok sort of song, it's not one of paul's masterpiece's by any standard. it seems to go down well when he does it sometimes in his lives shows though.
HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY TO THE WHITE ALBUM! you say its your birthday!
I first heard it on a LOTR forum where you can send birthday cards. Sadly at the time I wasnt into the Beatles and so I didnt even know how the tune is birthday related (it was a simple midi tune-no lyrics). But I liked it. Always picked that one.
Paul sang it in the Red Square because it was his birthday (I think).
An all right song,
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I regard it as a filler, but one of those songs that makes the 'White Album' so bizarre. It has a driving energy which is largely down to Mccartney's fantastic lead vocal. I've got to agree with Mairi about the drumming - Rock on Ringo!
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Like much of The White Album, I fluctuate between liking Birthday, and loathing it. It has a great rif, a great beat, and great vocals, but I always feel like there's something missing; something I can't quite put my finger on. It makes a great side 2 opener if you were to condense TWA to a single disc. After all these years I have yet to fall in love with TWA, and I confess it still perplexes me when people have it as The Beatles best album. Each to their own, but it has yet to do to me what A Hard Day's Night, and Rubber Soul did, and still do.
I just want you to reassure him - talk to him, make him see the error of his ways. Then I'll hit him.
I know a lot of people who like to have this played on their birthday, but I, too, always kind of blew it off as filler. And yet, it's kind of a nice little rocker, innit?
'...In the name of Preverti, daughter of the mountains, whose embrace with Rani made the whole world tremble...'