The Beatles have unveiled a previously unreleased recording capturing John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the early stages of composing “Day Tripper,” one of their most recognizable tracks. Recorded at Lennon’s Surrey residence, the “Songwriting Work Tape” offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the songwriting process, complete with the pair laughing and joking as they work through multiple iterations of the tune. Notably absent from this initial version is the iconic guitar riff that would become synonymous with the final recording.
The demo will be featured on an upcoming deluxe reissue of the 1965 album Rubber Soul, set for release on October 2nd. Though “Day Tripper” was not included on the original album release, it became a significant part of the Beatles catalog when issued as a single alongside “We Can Work It Out.” Producer Giles Martin, son of the legendary George Martin, has overseen a fresh mix of the classic album alongside engineer Sam Okell.
The special edition will showcase 24 early recordings, including 20 previously unreleased takes and three home demos that have never been heard before. Among the newly unearthed material is an early version of the album track “Michelle” and a newly discovered Lennon demo titled “Little Girl,” which the Lennon estate only recently recovered. This comprehensive collection provides unprecedented access to the creative evolution of one of rock music’s most influential releases.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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