“I’m So Tired” is a Beatles’ song which is on their 1968 “White Album”. However, a mix with “takes 3, 6 & 9” is on their “Anthology 3” album.
In Detail
Albums
Recorded: 8th October, 1968
Studio: EMI Studios, London
Genre: Rock, blues rock
Track Duration: 2:03
Record Label: Apple Records
Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Ken Scott
Performers
John Lennon: lead vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, organ
Paul McCartney: bass guitar, electric piano, backing vocal
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Track Sources
White Album (1968)
Anthology 3 Album (1996)
I’m So Tired
Written and sung by John Lennon, “I’m So Tired”comes between “Martha My Dear” and “Blackbird” on the 1968 double album, “The Beatles” (aka the “White Album”). Lennon wrote it while studying Transcendental Meditation in India in early 1968.
While Lennon was on the meditation course with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh, India, he began to miss Yoko Ono. He was still with his wife Cynthia at the time though. Cynthia was also in India with him and he had yet to start a relationship with Ono. Be that as it may, his thoughts were on his future wife and there are clues in the song.
While at the meditation camp, Lennon had plenty of time to think about new songs. However, he was having much difficulty sleeping. This is another obvious inspiration for the song.
“I couldn’t sleep, I’m meditating all day and couldn’t sleep at night. The story is that. One of my favourite tracks. I just like the sound of it, and I sing it well.”
John Lennon
All We Are Saying, David Sheff
This song is in contrast to his song, “I’m Only Sleeping“, on the 1966 album “Revolver“.
Reverse Lyrics
In the 1960s, the conspiracy theorists were out in force and this song became part of the Paul Is Dead myth during 1969. This is because at the end of the song, John Lennon mutters “Monsieur, monsieur, monsieur, how about another one?” Played back, many people believe that it says “Paul is dead, man, miss him, miss him, miss him”
Recording Studio
The Beatles began recording the track on the 8th October, 1968, in Studio Two at the EMI Studios, London, during the 4.00pm-8.00am session. There were 14 takes that day which also saw the recording of, “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill“.
In the marathon 16 hour recording session, The Beatles recorded and overdubbed further vocals and other instrumentation to complete the song.
The “Anthology 3” album from 1996 has a track which is a combination of takes 3, 6 & 9.
