Yes, That’s John Lennon Singing ‘Yellow Submarine’ In Previously Unreleased Demo
Also listen to an outtake of “Got To Get You Into My Life.”
By Nate Todd Oct 21, 2022 • 11:43 am PDT
Photo credit: CBS Photography
The Beatles unveiled a previously unreleased demo of “Yellow Submarine.” Titled, “Yellow Submarine (Songwriting Work Tape / Part 1),” the track previews the upcoming Revolver Special Editon reissue, due out on October 28 via Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe.
“Yellow Submarine (Songwriting Work Tape / Part 1)” is a very early look at The Beatles classic with just guitar and vocals from John Lennon. Ringo Starr would wind up singing lead on the final cut. While John seemed to have the melody and basic chord structure, the lyrics are sparse — the Paul McCartney-created “yellow submarine” had not yet made an appearance — but what he does sing speaks volumes.
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When The Beatles recorded Revolver in Spring 1966, Beatlemania still raged but Lennon was also dealing with the fall out of his taken out of context “more popular than Jesus” statement appearing in a March 1966 interview just ahead of the Revolver sessions which began in April. The basic refrain goes: “In the town where I was born/No one cared/No one cared.”
John seems to harken back to a simpler time “in the town where where I was born,” presumably Liverpool, where “no one cared.” At one point it sounds like he sings “If you want/You can run.” As Beatlemania took its toll on the band, which would ultimately lead them to stop touring at the end of Summer 1966, Lennon and McCartney often returned to their childhood in Liverpool in their writing. The songs “Strawberry Fields” and “Penny Lane,” which bridged the Revolver and Sgt. Peppers sessions, are prime examples.
Although the “no one cared” refrain from the newly unveiled “Yellow Submarine” demo was dropped, the finished product still very much carries a childlike quality and would go on to inspire the band’s 1968 animated film. Listen to “Yellow Submarine (Songwriting Work Tape / Part 1)” below:
“Yellow Submarine (Songwriting Work Tape / Part 1)” arrived along with another outtake for Revolver’s penultimate track, “Got To Get You Into My Life.” The alternate take dubbed, “Got To Get You Into My Life (Second Version / Unnumbered Mix),” is sans the song’s iconic horns but complete with the stellar guitar work. Listen below:
