Carry That Weight

“Carry That Weight” is a Beatles’ song that comes from the Abbey Road album, of course.

Abbey Road (1969)

Paul McCartney: lead vocal, piano, rhythm guitar, chorus vocal
George Harrison: bass guitar, lead guitar, chorus vocal
Ringo Starr: drums, timpani, chorus vocal
John Lennon: chorus vocal

Production

George Martin: producer, arranger

Orchestra (Uncredited): twelve violins, four violas, four cellos, double bass, four horns, three trumpets, trombone, bass trombone

Track Source

Abbey Road

Carry That Weight

Written by Paul McCartney but credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, “Carry That Weight” is the penultimate song of Abbey Road’s B-side medley. They recorded it together with “Golden Slumbers” as one.

While The Beatles recorded the “White Album“, cracks were beginning to show within the band. The discord was around for quite a while before they broke up and then there was the business side of things that got in the way.

“I’m generally quite upbeat but at certain times things get to me so much that I just can’t be upbeat any more and that was one of the times. We were taking so much acid and doing so much drugs and all this Klein shit was going on and getting crazier and crazier and crazier. Carry that weight a long time: like for ever! That’s what I meant.”

Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

On the 10th of April, 1970, The Beatles officially disbanded but the wrangling went on for many years after.

Recording Studio

All the band members sing in harmony on this track which is unusual in itself. However, Paul McCartney does song solo in the middle bridge. After the brass section begins, we hear the beginning of “You Never Give Me Your Money“,  McCartney sings alone here but with different lyrics.

The Beatles began recording “Golden Slumbers”/”Carry That Weight” on the 2nd July, 1969, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 3.00pm-9.30pm session. There were 15 takes that day and Paul McCartney also recorded “Her Majesty” beforehand. John Lennon didn’t take part because he was in hospital recovering from a road traffic accident in Scotland.

Out of the 15 takes, take 13 was the one suitable for the master rhythm track. Over the next few days overdubbing took place with guitar pieces and vocals. However, it wasn’t until the 30th of July that John Lennon’s vocals were ready. The song was complete on the 15th August with the inclusion of the orchestral piece.