Baby You're a Rich Man (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: 50/50
Recorded: 11 May 67
Released: 7 Jul 67 (UK), 17 Jul 67 (US), on "Magical Mystery Tour" 27 Nov 67 (US)
Notes: John's part was first ("one of the beautiful people"); Paul's was the "Baby, you're a rich man." John sang to Brian, "baby, you're a rich fag Jew." Natural E/naturally pun.
Baby's in Black (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: 50/50
Recorded: 11 Aug 64
Released: on "Beatles for Sale": 4 Dec 64 (UK), "Beatles '65": 15 Dec 64 (US)
Back in the USSR (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 22, 23 Aug 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: Inspired by Beach Boys (and Chuck Berry's 1959 "Back in the USA"). Paul plays lead guitar, drums and piano, John and George bass. Mike Love of the Beach Boys may have had a hand in India. The BOAC (British Overseas Airline Corp) reference is a joke; early in the career, they exchanged free travel on BEA (the European arm) for the Beatles plugging the company. It was a joke how they could fit the initials into a song.
Bad to Me (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly John
Recorded: ?
Released: June, 1963
Notes: Written for Billy Jo Kramer and the Dakotas.
The Ballad of John and Yoko (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: John
Recorded: 14 Apr 69
Released: 30 May 69 (UK), 4 Jun 69 (US)
Notes: Written in Paris on Honeymoon. Recorded by John (guitars) and Paul (bass, piano, maracas and drums). Written and recorded same day.
Because (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: John
Recorded: 1, 4, 5 Aug 69
Released: on "Abbey Road": 26 Sept 69 (UK), 1 Oct 69 (US)
Notes: Moonlight Sonata chords played backwards, John said, but actually copied forwards.
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: John
Recorded: 17, 20 Feb, 28, 29, 31 Mar 67
Released: on "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band": 26 May 67 (UK), 2 Jun 67 (US)
Notes: Essentially every word (except Henry the Horse) from a circus poster, circa 1800s. Horse is not heroin, he says, since his heroin period came later. Taped steam organs and cut tape loops.
Birthday (Lennon and McCartney)Real Author: Mostly Paul
Recorded: 19 Sep 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: Inspired by "Happy Birthday, Baby" and "Happy, Happy Birtday," by the Tuneweavers in 57. One of the few White Album songs not written in India, instead perhaps started in India to celebrate Patti's birthday, but at least mostly written in the studio. Probably for Linda's 26th which was six days later. Yoko and Pattie sing a line.
Blackbird (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 11 Jun 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: Written in India about a bird outside window, according to one story. Song came effortlessly. Tune from Bach, which both he and George had learned as children. Paul says was about black women, Bird sound from EMI sound archives.
Blue Jay Way (Harrison)
Real Author: George
Recorded: 6, 7 Sept, 6 Oct 67
Released: on "Magical Mystery Tour" 27 Nov 67 (US), 8 Dec 67 (UK EP)
Notes: Written 1 Aug 67, ostensibly while waiting in SF for Derek and Joan Taylor, delayed by fog in LA. George was on Blue Jay Way.
