The Chaotic Recording History of Helter Skelter

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

*New episode!* 🎧 It's the longest YCUT yet - there's just so much to discuss about Helter Skelter. What do you think about the bass debate? Let me know what you think in the comments! 🎸😎 Check out the entire 'Whole Lotta Helter Skelter' mashup: www.reddit.com/r/ledzeppelin/comments/vse1fu/the_beatles_ft_led_zeppelin_whole_lotta_helter/

[@josephdandrea8915]

I think you make very convincing points! Yes, Paul is more precise and clean with his bass playing, but if he wanted to go outside the box, and especially if it was his idea as it was on Helter Skelter, he's typically willing to jump into another style.

[@gutgolf74]

I think it's a bass guitar, not a bass gitorrrrrr.

[@gutgolf74]

So, had to go through all this at least once - and just as I thought: There are no "wild mysteries", you just made that up to bait clicks. There's only ONE "mystery" and that's not even a real one. Because it is VERY obvious that John might have played some basic bass part, but Paul definitely plays the dominant final part. At least THIS time you referred to the new liner notes - in contrast to "Revolver" where you put out your "mystery clip" two days before the book came out and solved your "mystery" about who was doing the count-in on "Taxman".

[@mike0o0animates11]

Wait I can't find the helter skelter x whole lotta love dj sound hog remix any idea where it is ?

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

@mike0o0animates11 Here's the link to 'Whole Lotta Helter Skelter': www.reddit.com/r/ledzeppelin/comments/vse1fu/the_beatles_ft_led_zeppelin_whole_lotta_helter/

[@MarsHottentot]

Favorite Beatles song; as a kid in the early 70s, my mother played the White Album frequently and "Helter Skelter" always got my little brother and I bouncing off the walls!!

[@NadaliMiNumer2256]

Great female. Present girls not listen psychedelic rock .

[@scalzmoney]

5:25 those harmonies. OMG. Greatness.

[@dj71162]

Dave Seville would be proud.

[@ezekielbrockmann114]

Sounds like Paperback Writer.

[@jefferyr650]

Goosebumps, literally

[@BambiDextrous]

Unbelievable! Majestic!

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

little richard on acid

[@daBEAGLE1017]

I always found it chilling how they switched from the heavy Helter Skelter into the quiet Long Long Long on the album.

[@mikesaunders4775]

A bit like merging Revolution#9 into Goodnight at the end of side two.

[@joepermenter7228]

@@mikesaunders4775 Not really, it just is the album wrap up like they always did only with two shitty songs.

[@elirosen1391]

I know. The whole White Album is one big roller coaster ride.

[@perfumegoose]

@@joepermenter7228 Shitty songs as fillers, or Beethoven passing gas in spite of time???

[@daBEAGLE1017]

@@joepermenter7228 Rev 9 turned me into a B-Hole Surfers fan while Ringo's Goodnight put me to bed many nights in the 70s. Every song on THE BEATLES album was perfectly placed and will never be a "throw away" song imfao. One of the greatest albums ever (once again imfao).

[@TonyBurke100]

I'm 70 and it's such a buzz to hear the music that got me through my teens is still being played. I love the Beatles and will continue to do so until they nail the lid onto my coffin. Even nowadays in 2024 they are still revered and respected.

[@HiltonDriver-rf8zd]

Yeah nail my coffin I d be hunting to hear this white album

[@HiltonDriver-rf8zd]

I'm 68 I was a 12 years old I crayon a birthday card for paul in response he and John put together the song bungalow bill and I'd sear at the end of the bungalow bill as it turns into george harrison guitar gently weeps he says hey hilt which is my name as a small gift from paul

[@allison5104]

I’m 35, and the Beatles got me through my teens as well. True genius is timeless!

[@coolstil]

Just outstanding, diamonds just won't melt away

[@vicfeazell]

@@HiltonDriver-rf8zd Say Whaaat?! This is the most intriguing comment I've seen! I hope you see this and fill in your story a bit more for us. In 1969 my friend and I sent the Beatles a telegram from Lubbock, Texas USA. I think we invited them to come visit and do something like save the world. I would ask my friend if he remembers more detail, but he's been dead for a while. I'll be 76 next week and I've hardly spent any time out of Texas, USA. The Beatles organization/_____ guided my little life for so long. Still does, along with a few others. AND I TRULY HOPE YOU SEE THIS AND FILL US IN MORE ABOUT THE CRAYON BIRTHDAY CARD. Do you suppose it still exists somewhere? Perhaps you should do a re-make of it.

[@Alcatrazer000]

Couldn't someone just ask Paul McCartney himself whether he or John was the one playing bass on the final Helter Skelter track?

[@hellowerewolf]

I thought it was confirmed to be Lennon on a bass 6

[@ianbartle456]

I think it may have been confirmed that at least some of John's original playing remained on the cut and Paul overdubbed an extra part on the JB and so we're hearing bits of both. Perhaps I have the wrong track, but I'm sure I remember reading about this in the liner notes to the 50th anniversary CD of TWA.

[@aisle_of_view]

Paul had to sign off on the Giles Martin 2018 remixes, he would have spoken up if he saw in the liner notes that the bass was erroneously credited to John.

[@iconicshrubbery]

Paul playing the bass deliberately sloppily? It sounds a far-fetched theory. Paul was the Polished Perfectionist. I'd give John his due, he might well have continued on the bass he d begun in July.

[@ianbartle456]

@@aisle_of_view Hard to disagree with your logic there.

[@o.b.v.i.u.s]

great forensic work... as a lifelong professional bassist and beatles nut (who is old enough to have bought all the albums when they were first released), i concur with your assessment... thanks for this! really impressive!

[@elirosen1391]

Congratulations on getting this cranked out! It was a pleasure assisting in this process of researching for this video! Like many of these Beatles mysteries, it's uncertain that we may ever solve this one definitively. But the one positive I do take away from Helter Skelter is that it's the one track off the White Album where it's evident they put their differences aside, and let themselves have fun together as a group again.

[@cesarmadero05]

I'm proud to sing the watered hidden lyrics "It's the Helter Skelter" right since I listened to it in the 2009 remastered versions.

[@TruSuperGamerFriends]

Same

[@areareare9953]

This guy would have a field day with "You know my name".

[@KealohaHarrison]

This is one of my favorite songs ever not to mention one of my favorite Beatles songs ever. I was so amazed when I found out some of those weird noises were actually from a saxophone mouthpiece. I hope they release the 27 minute first take some day!

[@Humblemumble7]

Let alone Beatles song? What does that mean?

[@KealohaHarrison]

@@Humblemumble7it’s one of my favorite songs, let alone one of my favorite Beatles songs lol probably should’ve clarified that

[@KealohaHarrison]

@@C.I... fair enough, “not to mention” should suffice then lol

[@paul-u2y9y]

i got it right away, @@KealohaHarrison

[@Roof_Gang]

@@Humblemumble7yeah it should be flipped, “one of my favorite beatles songs, let alone favorite songs”

[@sampoernaquatrain1710]

Awesome episode! Not only did you convince me that it's Paul playing bass, but the isolated parts showed me that what I heard for decades as John singing "...is my baby sleeping" is actually Paul singing "Oh the Helter Skelter!" Mind blown.

[@brewstergallery]

Ned from Spain here. Helter Skelter is such a monster, it blew me away when my folks bought it for me about 50 odd years ago. The White Album totally changed my perception of them and how hard, raw and wild they could play. I wish you could have talked about the trash guitar noise ( John I assume ) and high twiddling ( George ) that fade in and out at 3:00 and 3:06 respectively. John's guitar is so nasty and white noise it sounds like an amplified toilet flushing. Properly tuned though...Great work and thanks for the video.

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

I don't think that "Helter Skelter" is even the hardest rock on the album, though it is close. That distinction would go to "Yer Blues." As for raw energy and sheer joy, that would go to "Me and my Monkey." Don't think ANY of the Beatles songs would EVER have been that raw without the influence of John. ALWAYS the straw that stirred the drink. Still, from some of the early Beatles covers, it is clear that McCartney could be a surprisingly hard rocker... when under the influence of JOHN.

[@brewstergallery]

I totally agree. The whole album has a dark disturbing quality to it. A lot of the songs sound warped and raw. Like they were trying to exorcise the old lovable mop top-ness from their souls. John was Dr Piss n Vinegar but McCartney could rage when called upon to do so.@@Kermit_T_Frog

[@brewstergallery]

@@Kermit_T_Frog Me and My Monkey is nuts too. Isn't that another one of their songs that they changed the speed on ? They slowed " Rain" down but Monkey was sped up or am I wrong ?

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

@@brewstergallery Not sure. I'm sure that most all of them were toyed with, many times over, before they arrived at a final version. The story probably differs depending on who is telling it. And there probably is a bit of truth in all of them.

[@brewstergallery]

@@Kermit_T_FrogYeah, I know what you mean. There is the original take of Rain that is faster on the insanely complete Revolver box. It makes the final cut that much more interesting. The art of production from the pre digi age fascinates me. Take care.

[@tdunph4250]

Before the age of 13, whenever I heard this song i was scared shitless. This song, as with Rev#9, gave me the willies as a kid.

[@Johnny_Guitar]

Yupp, Billy Shears really opened up and shown his colours as _'Faul'_ since it was never the kind of music that Paul McCartney would have done!

[@filteredwaters9171]

Me also!

[@ProfessorToadstool]

it almost as if life itself is musical in nature...

[@steveroberts9453]

The interlinking Train at the end of I am a Walrus on the Blue Album is more terrifying.

[@ronofthesea5953]

My thoughts exactly.@@Johnny_Guitar

[@andyhinds542]

This is so informative! For years, I thought that used his Rickenbacker from 1966 onwards, but this has been a fantastic insight into what went on in those recording sessions. I have two jazz basses and they sound amazing. If only I could afford a Rickenbacker. Paul had the greatest, grungiest tone at that time.

[@ValueNetwork]

Oh HELL YEAH I was waiting for you to make a video on my favourite Beatles song. This is the band at their most experimental and they want you to know it. The song is Paul challenging himself to craft a new take on rock music by harnessing the bands iconic bedlam, and he succeeded. A helter skelter is a fairground ride, and this is the Beatles showing you the playground.

[@bargainbassist]

Actually, Revolution #9, Tomorrow Never Knows, I Am the Walrus, and Strawberry Fields Forever would be tied for most experimental. The three latter tracks had George Martin's involvement, and he was heavily involved in tape manipulation, something that Helter Skelter did not. And Revolution #9, even without Martin's presence, is almost entirely tape manipulation.

[@josephcooter5763]

I can remember listening to this song on a tape recorder in my room back when I was in High School and my mother freaking out when she walked into my room and heard the song.

[@ricklocke1187]

Yes it was guaranteed to raise the hackles of the older folks you mean that noise is the moptops what happened to them

[@Daytripper51]

Incredible research.....Incredible video editing......Incredible analogy....Your time into this piece is so well appreciated. I'm the guy who helped you research your "The Drum Mystery in The Beatles' Most Beautiful Song"......BP....from the large book "Recording The Beatles" from Curvebender publishing. The authors of this book note that John played bass....at least on the earlier take of the song.

[@howardmaryon]

“Fanny Cradock”. Was a very popular TV chef on British TV in the ‘60’s. Teamed with her husband Johnny, they were the ones who pioneered cooking as entertainment. Fanny was very dramatic and let Johnny just recommend the wine to go with the dish of the day. They suddenly disappeared from TV after a fire on their yacht left Johnny badly burned.

[@marcchrys]

I remember her well! I'd read that she disappeared from TV in the 70s after her bullying mauling of an amateur chef on a show in which the aim was to create a menu for Edward Heath?

[@noblejonson]

She disappeared because in an early General public becomes a chef segment in one of her shows, she was unnecessarily cruel and rude to the contestant and the general public turned against her

[@robertashley7751]

If you think it was a real woman...omg 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@robertashley7751]

@@noblejonsonhim

[@edwardcowardin4014]

I am 64 years old. One of my two older brothers has passed away but I grew up listening to my brothers Beatles albums. Was 4 years old when we watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. I have never heard anything about this. Very interesting. Love learning about things I didn't know about the Beatles. Thank you!!! Enjoyed this video!!!!!!

[@Chris_the_Muso]

I have a similar experience. I'm 60 this year, and my much older brother was right into the Beatles so my musical tastes were locked into the 60's at a very early age. I'm so glad I have those memories.

[@gregoryallen0001]

yooooo when you're sixty-four..

[@jaelge]

Just to remind you folks, that the sound of the Fender-6 (or any bass or guitar) can vary widely by adjustments on the pickups and amplifier settings. There´s no reason that the bass used by George in Honey Pie couldn't be the same bass used in Helter Skelter. I´ll add, that they could very well had just decided to overdub different instruments on different parts of the song. Maybe Paul was satisfied with the bass on certain parts and fixed other parts.

[@VolodyaVolodenka1981]

21:22 Bass VI, with its three pickups, is capable of both those tones and more

[@MilesTippett]

As a VI player, I can attest that it is a VERY versatile instrument, based on which pickup you are using, and what rig you are running into.... So the tone alone isnt enough to make me think that its the Jazz.... BUTTTTT The fact that paul is guiding the band with the bass lines before the take.... that is VERY compelling.

[@VolodyaVolodenka1981]

@@MilesTippettit is! my only point is to make clear on the VI's capabilities for anyone considering getting one, for instance

[@tuppot]

Thanks for pointing it out! I didn't expect that argument from YCUT, I'm sure he knows it has knobs and such hehe I'm down with the conclusion but that was a weird observation.

[@paniccleo]

Was about to say this myself. Very silly observation.

[@ianbartle456]

To my less studio-trained ear it's less about the pure sound from the pickups ad more about all that dirty slap from the frets that is affecting the overall sound of the bass. You don't get that on other Beatles' tunes whether it's a Hofner or the RIC.

[@timeking1]

No one: John randomly: Baaaaaaaa

[@AllofJudea]

Yokos influence

[@kusfhizjingjiongia4564]

okay

[@beastybacon199]

Sheep influence

[@justintroyka8855]

It sounds like his Revolution 9 "aAaAaAaAaaallright" !!!

[@emilelesaffre]

*FANNY CRADEOCK*

[@buzzawuzza3743]

Paul played the bass, it sounds like him. Glad you talked mostly about the song itself and not that crazy Manson murder stuff. The people into that kind of thing are a drag. Anyway, rock on!

[@Jerome_101]

Thank you so much for this fun and informative video!! Helter Skelter has been a huge favorite song since hearing it on the original album our dad got for my elder sister.

[@slaphead8835]

EXTREMELY well done! Absolutely top notch. You covered this superbly creative and innovative Beatles song thoroughly and accurately. Beautiful achievement.

[@aprofondir]

I thought the most controversial song was "It's Okay To Leave a Dog In A Hot Car"

[@bargainbassist]

Have you ever heard of the band, Dogs Die In Hot Cars? Check 'em out.

[@BillyFromTheHills01]

Oh, I thought it was a baby, not a dog.

[@keithklassen5320]

Nothing bad could possibly happen.

[@carvoloco4229]

That's ok as long as you also leave a baby to take care of the dog 😌

[@AshRecordReview]

I love the beatmywifles 🤷

[@wilberforce95]

Differences in bass tone can also be attributed to amp/mic setup (in addition to playing style and mix).

[@iamdamosuzuki_]

Considering Paul usually plays with his thumb, if he was playing the bass on the track he was probably playing very close to the bridge which can definitely create a very harsh trebly sound like that.

[@bungobaggins01]

⁠@@iamdamosuzuki_Paul usually plays with a pick, not his thumb

[@filteredwaters9171]

That's what I thought, also

[@NickGodwin]

The tone is a lot in the hands

[@ianbartle456]

I think it's playing style that is perhaps the most significant here. Paul was after something very specific and non-conventional. My guess is he's doing whatever he felt helped to play the living shit out of that bass part - and you hear him taking the same approach to his vocals during that long jam. He was often to be found improvising and stretching out his voice in between takes and this whole track was meant to just push the boat out big time. I doubt history records Paul's reaction upon reading that misguided critic attributing Helter Skelter it to Lennon - but I reckon we can all guess! And can't says as I'd blame him really. Having some of your most courageous and non-typical works attributed to another artist, even if they are your best friend, would frankly grate on anyone who cared about their work.

[@jaykaufman9782]

It was mind-blowing hearing that snippet of McCartney doing "HS" on acoustic guitar! What a strange direction that might have been. I've always thought the lyrics were inspired in part by Lewis Carroll: " 'What matters it how far we go?' his scaly friend replied./'There is another shore, you know, upon the other side./The further off from England, the nearer is to France --/Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance./Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance?/Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?' " Lennon was a massive Lewis Carroll fan, and I wonder if he contributed the lyric, or if Paul was familiar with the "The Lobster Quadrille" (Chap. 10) from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1866).

[@BillPeschel]

I love this!

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

Indeed! Paul actually mentions the Lewis Carroll inspiration in his Lyrics book. Which is a great read, by the way.

[@thefonzkiss]

Have you never heard Anthology 3?

[@jaykaufman9782]

@@thefonzkissThere's so much Beatles-related merch out there, one gets selective. Now I know I need Anthology 3.

[@raymota4515]

Having experimented at the time, I was always under the influence that it was an acid freakout.

[@almostbeatlessongs]

You’ve done it again! Our Beatles channel aspires to this level of excellence. Thank you.

[@MrMjp58]

I always thought this track was something of a throwaway. I recently attempted to teach the guitar part to a student- for grade exam purposes. It was then, that I found out how brilliantly constructed it was, and how hard to play! I have had a change of heart.

[@CB-xr1eg]

if you ever thought this track was a throwaway then you're not fit to be teaching anyone anything about music.

[@gretchennelson7056]

I would hope to hell you had a change of heart.No offense meant but that was a ridiculous thing to say.

[@1946Ash]

20:08 The Helter Skelter photo is from Clacton on Sea pier.

[@DougSalad]

The biggest mystery about this song for me is how anyone has ever misinterpreted Ringo as saying "I got blisters on ME fingers" when it's so clearly "my" or even "MAH" Edit: idgaf who y'all think it is, it's Ringo. Second, idgaf about your slang, "me" has a long eeeeeeee Sound in it that isn't there. Period. He does not say me.

[@WhiteDove73-888]

It sounds more like John. Was Ringo mocking John? Yes!

[@elirosen1391]

@@WhiteDove73-888 No man, that's definitely Ringo. No mystery there.

[@elirosen1391]

Strangely, on the 2018 remix, they made that scream less audible. I guess they had enough fun at Ringo's expense after 50 years.

[@MashPotatoJohns]

It's probaby because stewie said that in Family Guy

[@whenifeellow]

exactly man! I knew it was Ringo first time I heard it, and then later read online people saying it was John, and I'm like... NO

[@CTE2028]

The comeback we’ve all been waiting for!

[@burbear47]

Gives me a new appreciation for a song that has baffled me for so many years. I love this analysis. Whether I agree or not, I always come away pleased to hear things I never beard or knew.

[@fineasfogg1461]

This was the wildest hardest thing we had heard from The Beatles back then. Thank you for doing this, it's a great song, I'm enjoying all of it.

[@michaelgriffith7033]

One of my favorite Beatles tracks. Great examination of the song.

[@tdtm82]

Listen to Lemmy play bass in Motorhead and it's very similar as a rumbling bass style. It sounds like a rythym guitar as a bass. It's so great to listen to.

[@Saint_nobody]

Fuck. Now I wanna hear a Motorhead version of this iconic rock song.

[@tdtm82]

@@Saint_nobody I don't think they did it.

[@mrbaker7443]

@@tdtm82i bet there’s an AI version

[@ianbartle456]

Mm... now there's an idea....@@mrbaker7443

[@bumblethebeadle3504]

The first five words in your original comment make up great advice.

[@fladification]

The Fender Bass VI has three pickups with a switch for each one this gives huge tonal palette, to say it's not a VI just because the tone is different from one song to the next doesn't really convince me. Play with just neck up (honey pie) vs. play with just the bridge pickup (Helter Skelter)....that's what I'm hearing

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

Thanks - I completely agree with you about the wide range of the tonal palette, and I definitely wouldn't rely on the tone comparison as the sole piece of evidence. In this case, it's just one corroborating piece of the argument. To me, the sound on Glass Onion - recorded the next day - is uncannily close, and whatever was being used on Helter Skelter is almost certainly the same setup (and I'd argue, player).

[@ilovemusic7748]

Fun fact apparently there is a theory that Glass Onion might have a Fender VI playing with the jazz bass

[@keithklassen5320]

@@ilovemusic7748 The classic "tic-tac" bass technique. A lot of songs in the '60s used this type of bass tracking, contrasting a lower, thicker bass part (often a Fender Precision bass) against a thinner part (often an Electric VI), often with the two parts dancing around each other, sometimes playing the same thing, sometimes playing harmony or counterpoint.

[@elirosen1391]

@@keithklassen5320 On Patsy Cline's later material, there was often an upright bass doubled by a tick-tacky sounding electric bass, either a Precision or a Bass VI model (they were first sold in 1961).

[@marcusphelan57]

@@ilovemusic7748 That may have come from Ken Scott, and I think from memory he said the two basses were always recorded together. The problem with that is that now we have access to outtakes and isolated tracks and it's clear that the bass was recorded along with John's acoustic, George's electric and Ringo's drums. Glass onion has only the one bass track and it's Paul on his Jazz bass.

[@RS-nf4vz]

This is the best primer on Helter Skelter I've ever seen. Well done!

[@rolandweers4617]

Nice forensics...🙂 I 'v been listening to this song for decades(stereo version only) and it's amazing to learn so much new stuff about it after all these years - thank you!

[@johnwatson3948]

A great analysis of one of my favorite songs of all time - when I was a kid used a cassette recorder to repeat the verses into a 20 minute version. Was surprised to see that other early rehearsal tape on Anthology 3 with Paul throwing out odd lyrics like “Helter Skelter… Hell for leather!”

[@patriot1151]

Glad you’re back, another brilliant video as always.

[@ImnotgoingSideways]

Probably one the most played albums in my dad's collection. When I eventually picked up guitar, I found it to be a great song to break strings to.

[@cydd.4609]

This was very well put together....alot went into this

[@prestonpeet1]

After being turned on to the idea when smoking spliffs with a dj friend at a club in Paris back in the mid-80s, I would often dj a mashup of Whole Lotta Love and Van Halen's Eruption. I never even thought of mashing up Whole Lotta Love with Helter-Skelter. Great video on your part You Can't Unhear This. I greatly enjoyed this video about Helter Skelter. Thank you for creating it. I've subscribed to your channel after watching and listening to this.

[@jarrettgardner0628]

Great investigative work and thank you for the highly engaging & entertaining analysis while also being highly detailed & informative! Subbed!!

[@johnkenney5380]

This is pure gold man - one of my favorite episodes yet. Fab!

[@rootbeer5356]

Please please please do an episode on either Tomorrow Never Knows or Revolution 9. Your in depth video essay style would be fascinating about those tracks

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

Thanks for the suggestions! One of those might be in the works already, so who Knows what Tomorrow might bring… 😉

[@BigSky1]

@@YouCantUnhearThisAs Traffic said.

[@ricklocke1187]

Yes please revolution 9

[@RayleneSteves]

Another youtuber did a pretty good video about Revolution 9

[@rootbeer5356]

@@RayleneSteves Could you link it please?

[@aisle_of_view]

Excellent analysis of one of my top 5 Beatles songs. BTW, you can really hear the buried vocal nuggets in the Surround version of the LOVE Blu Ray.

[@marcchrys]

Paul's voice at 18.23. Wow!

[@disneyscott98]

You know it's a good day when YCUT posts a new video!

[@Ekkie101]

When we saw Paul McCartney at Dodger Stadium in 2919 Ringo came on and played 'Helter Skelter' with the band.

[@aisle_of_view]

Time traveler!

[@gregoryallen0001]

hologramz

[@CB-xr1eg]

2919? Wow so the earth is still surviving? 🌎 Paul & Ringo must have taken anti ageing pills.

[@zombiedude6543]

The bass sound was from the amp they used. You can get a lot of different bass guitars to sound similar if you run them through the same amp and change the settings around

[@RHR-221b]

In the late 1970s/early 1980s, I was working as a guitar et al. technician, under Geoff Johnson's guidance. (Calder Music, Midcalder, Scotland, when Geoff came out of retirement.) Geoff worked in RADAR during WW2, amongst other clandestine life-savers. He later went on to design the VOC AC 100, as well as many other amplifier attributes. My dearly-missed mentor taught me so much. If you have the inclination, please search for Geoff Johnson. Vox and Triumph Electronics. Thank you. *Rest In Peace, Geoff.* And also to his Dear Wife, Freda Olive Johnson (whom Geoff called *Flying Officer Johnson*). Thank you for reading this, my remembrances of one of Nature's True Perfect Gentlemen (and Ladies!). Stay free. Rab 🔊🕊🔊 PS. One entry in Geoff's autograph book read/reads: *Thanks for everything, Geoff. Stay cool. Jimi.*

[@frankjamesbonarrigo7162]

Or the compressors, Fairchild, altec

[@keithklassen5320]

Amp settings, pickup choices, tone knob settings, etc. I'm pretty sure we're hearing an Electric VI here.

[@jorriffhdhtrsegg]

@@keithklassen5320when i used a VI, with all pickups on and tone rolled half down i really couldn't tell the difference much between a jazz bass and that VI. It also depends how you play it, since VI forces a certain picking and it sounds like that type of picking, although that picking is of course possible on a jazz bass, you can do a wider range of 'bass' techniques on a 4 string long scale bass.

[@sirkuscustom]

You deserve all respect, because your deep analyses of these songs, but also for acknowledging Blue Cheer, who released their Vincebus Eruptum 1968, I have the original Philips LP, well played to this very day..! Keep on with your good work!! 💙💙💙

[@giovanni5063]

Something I had not thought about for years. I first heard the White Album while lounging about at FM station WABX in Detroit. Someone came into the studio with The White Album. This was as fresh as can be, never having been heard yet on the Motor City airwaves. I listened as the DJ's rummaged through the cuts and then there was Helter Skelter. KaPow WTF! High over Detroit in the David Stott building in the studios of WABX I thought that it were magical moments.

[@bill3213]

Abx I remember !

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

I lived in Detroit then. I remember.

[@Adyman182]

Honey wake up, You Can't Unhear This just uploaded

[@denkithedhmislover]

IM UP 👁️👁️

[@DodgerFanAD_23]

I’m up 😎

[@mariuspoppFM]

​@@Oh_I_Willindeed, they are just embarassing

[@Adyman182]

@cbennett196631 @@mariuspoppFM You're speaking absolute truth, props for staying sane

[@Saint_nobody]

I'm not honey.

[@nepesilva2284]

The best video on this song I’ve ever watched. Excellent work.

[@GaryAa56]

I heard Shelter Skelter before that horrible night in 1969. I to this day, still think it's a masterpiece of work.

[@KingoftheWelsh]

Great video, great research. Im convinced by the evidence that Paul did it, in the recording studio, with the Jazz Bass

[@westfield90]

Fantastic video. So well researched. I’m convinced it’s Paul now. The bass also sounds identical to the bass sound on While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

[@antoniopp7169]

Yes! Finally! I've been saying this since 2018. Paul is on bass. No doubt about it. Thanks for the historical and sonical accuracy and reconstruction. This is undisputable, really. Yay!

[@timothybradley7414]

McCartney's Helter skelter is a great song that gets the blood flowing. I love listening to this song while driving. Paul's genius at work again. The Beatles songs by far were the most innovative and different from one another throughout the band's life. Remember these songs were taped without digital and software tricks over 50 years ago and still sound better than the best new rock/pop of today.

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

It was probably John on bass on the first session but Paul on bass on the final recording.

[@jpollackauthor]

100%

[@neilrichardkelly]

or a combination of both?

[@jasonroth7886]

The only time I ever saw Paul was back in '90. My best friend and I were obsessed with this song and called out for it constantly (not that Paul heard us form the upper deck of Giants Stadium), but the idea of him playing it back then was just impossible. We would've lost our minds.

[@ianbartle456]

I bided my time and saw him play in Melbourne recently. HS was on the list!

[@vincentkatz]

Great episode! Really appreciate the deep dive into this song.

[@cesarmadero05]

It's amazing how the discussions about who did what are only based on asumption of what people thought was the personality of the interchanging Beatle we are talking about.

[@jpollackauthor]

It's because 99% of the people arguing this stuff aren't musicians, and even if they are, they don't have experience with the same kind of vintage instruments that were played on the White Album - for example, modern Fender and Squier reissues of the Jazz Bass and the Bass VI do not come with foam mutes, which were utilized on both basses on the White Album. Anyone who has played a Jazz Bass with foam mutes and treble cranked all the way up knows that's how you get the Helter Skelter/Glass Onion/While My Guitar Gently Weeps bass sound. You can even replicate an almost identical sound with a Rickenbacker 4001 - which came with foam mutes and was also owned by Paul.

[@dreammachine2013]

Right!

[@perfumegoose]

@@jpollackauthor I doubt Al Hirt or Doc Severeson would know the difference

[@ianbartle456]

@@jpollackauthor Top post. It goes without saying that Paul would have experimented with those mutes. Apart from which George Martin's broader studio experience would have had him learning about their applications. Although he may have had little use for them on most of his rock'n'roll tracks the oom-pah music hall stuff may have cried out for the short, punchy root fifth approach, giving a sound more like a string bass. The hollow-bodied Hofner may have emphasised that effect still more. Since the heady days of 1968 Linda has bought old Bill Black's original upright bass so no doubt he's experimented on a real one now. I have a photo of him posing with one in my sheet music book for Back to the Egg but I'm not sure of he ever played an upright during either the Beatles or Wings era. I could be wrong though ;-)

[@davidwinokur2131]

Helter Skelter was a refreshing divergence from the typically organized and well produced Beatles song.

[@aisle_of_view]

Paul's amazing. Honey Pie to Helter Skelter

[@zelamoon]

I love "Helter Skelter". I always thought it was John saying " I got blisters on my fingers".

[@TheLocalZeroChannel]

As a kid listening to lotsa Beatles, early and late, the weirdness and the heaviness of Helter Skelter didn't weird me out, it just seemed like another of the many cool colours of Beatlesness. i loved how it descended into swirling mayhem. Made me feel like i was there in the room with them as they captured a moment on tape.

[@robertfrench80]

Thanks for your dissection of this unforgettable song! While not my favorite song of the Beatles, it is certainly an integral part of the White Album.

[@seancarroll3823]

I love Helter Skelter! It's one of my favorite songs.

[@sonichuck-bo4vz]

“Helter Skelter” was everything Paul envisioned it to be… Loud, raucous, heavy metal!! And I love the story of the late night/early morning mayhem session! The Beatles created the “mood” to produce it!

[@bulkvanderhuge9006]

The article about John Playing Bass on Helter Skelter are all talking about the Helter Skelter SLOW JAM version.

[@peetyw8851]

I was 17 at the time and loved the Beatles, including this song. At the time and even now it was so overwhelming that I didn’t listen to it often. after all, there was the rest of that double album to enjoy, as well. This commentary is fabulous!

[@engelsjn]

Absolutely love your channel, the amount of work that goes into these must be exhausting. Thank you!

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

I never knew until today that, "I got blisters on my fingers" was Ringo. I always assumed it was John. I was 13 when The Beatles came to America. I'm 72 now....never knew that was Ringo..... Really enjoyed this program.

[@kingdicelille]

It's one of those songs I'm obsessed with.

[@balkandancer]

I don't bother trying to diagnose what or why an artist does what they do, I just enjoy, or not, the end results. The Beatles made some of the best music and influenced even more. May we continue to enjoy what they created and even more what the last two are still making.

[@Ibdman2000]

Your videos always bring my vibe up! Keep them going :)

[@thatbeme]

Ringo's creativity does make him one of the worlds greatest drumers. Ringo's low key perfection makes him the greatest. 😮😊

[@jzsuperstar9948]

"Fanny Craddock"! "Fanny Craddock"! I'm still wiping the tears from my eyes, LMAO!

[@SteveJC]

I understand that when it was released on CD, Charles Manson said "Ok. I guess they weren't talking to me".

[@Bushranger1865]

The only voices in Charles Manson's head were Charles Manson's! He was just doing what almost everybody does now... blame someone else for their warped, destructive and delusional ideas!

[@ddrreeaamm_brother]

​@Bushranger1865 the irony of your comment is stellar. Maybe, just maybe... "almost everybody" doesn't actually do that, you've just become grumpy and judgey?

[@Bushranger1865]

@@ddrreeaamm_brother The real irony is in your response!

[@bunbunalexHayabusa]

They just created heavy metal

[@gabbleratchet1890]

Actually, he was trying to copy The Who. So, no, they didn’t.

[@farenvyld]

Black Sabbath did, actually.

[@sinapetito]

@@farenvyldOzzy loves helter skelter

[@farenvyld]

@@sinapetito I didn't deny its a great song and yes Ozzy loves the beatles. Calling it heavy metal is not true however.

[@Monedgar123]

I’d say it contributed to metal, and the OP may not have been being so literal. No one band invented metal. I agree that Sabbath pushed it over the top though.

[@rosssoutherland8118]

Here’s some Trivia for ya. At 15:00 when “Baby I don’t care” is being played. Did you know that it’s actually Elvis himself playing the intro on bass guitar on the original Elvis version? It’s True! I played in a band for years with DJ Fontana and DJ told me that Bill Black was frustrated with the new Fender P bass and just threw it down & walked out. So Elvis picked it up & played the bass intro plus some himself. So next time you hear the original Elvis version of “Baby I don’t care” it’s 💯% ELVIS on bass ⭐️

[@barbarabowman4533]

I absolutely love Helter Scelter, it shows a very different side of Paul, not only the music but the true grittiness of his voice! I am sure glad that he has other tunes now that showcase this quality. I have seen him several times and it is just as good live, even better!!

[@ianbartle456]

True. Call Me Back Again [Venus & Mars] is another. @stephenpierce2461

[@KlausSgroi]

The Beatles' catalogue is probably the only one in musical history that people will still be discussing and arguing about in 100 years' time. In the end, it doesn't even matter who played/sung what. The mystery is the most magical thing about them. (See what I did there?)

[@theoccidilian4896]

The Beatles and the Grateful Dead.

[@UrbanGarden-rf5op]

@ 7:37 I vote Paul, on a Jazz Bass (in the studio;-) I started out as bass player on a Jazz Bass copy in the early seventies and now own a Fender Bass VI. Albeit a Pawn Shop model with a “P-90” at the bridge. The moment you played the isolated track I thought “Jazz Bass with a pick”. Due to the difference in scale and string gauge, the Jazz Bass have more bottom end than the Bass VI. The Bass VI is, in my opinion, closer to a lowered tuning baritone guitar. More prominent in the low mids. The tic-tac bass sound. Thank you for an interesting and educational video. 𝄢

[@ianbartle456]

I agree with that assessment. I'm hoping to buy an old JB some time soon and will chase around YT to see if I can find someone showing the range of tunes it can produce and how to tweak them. Also listening to George play the bassline in Honey Pie it sounds like they may have played that old bassist's trick of muting to get the oom-pah notes to sound shorter and more staccato. I understand that not long after electric basses came out, the early Fenders used to come with a supplied mute and the early Rickenbackers did too. Rock players quickly eschewed them as they just wanted the most powerful noise possible though I think jazz and maybe country players may have found more of a use for them. As rock n op took off, the companies stopped shipping them as standard with a new instrument - a bit like those ashtray-like pickup covers on old 50s Teles.

[@UrbanGarden-rf5op]

Full marks for the muting thing. According to legend Paul used a piece of foam under the strings right in front of the bridge. As you said the Rickenbacker had it built in, with a very fiddly thumb screw arrangement. The two problems where that 1: The "rubber" disintegrated over time and 2: You're stuck with the muted sound. I use a lot of palm and/or left hand muting (I'm right handed). That gives me the possibility to choose when to mute and how much. About the tones. My favourite "Jazz Bass" was a modified Precision Bass. With a Jazz PU at the bridge. A better deal for me since I prefer the wider neck of the P-bass. It was a beautiful candy apple P Bass Special with matching headstock. It had active EMG´s. Sold it when I bought my first 5-string. I really miss it😢

[@ianbartle456]

Hi again , UG, thx for your reply as I did of course mean to type tones not tunes.@@UrbanGarden-rf5opVery useful information . your 'My favourite "Jazz Bass" was a modified Precision Bass.' made me laugh out loud! As you'll know and I know there are certain instruments, (perhaps like certain cars) that in hindsight we definitely shouldn't have sold. Let's hope someone out there is enjoying that bass as much as you obviously did!

[@UrbanGarden-rf5op]

My experience is that you should never sell anything that you once enjoyed owning. Life will circle back and make you need it, again. You will need a couple of warehouses though. The added benefit of a Precision Bass neck PU, is that you can get that growl from it. Combine it with the more "polite" sound of the Jazz Bass PU and you can literally move mountains. Given the proper amount of amplification, of course😉 But as always, it's about horses for courses. "I'm ready to get up and do my thang" As James Brown so eloquently put it. 𝄢

[@shipsahoy1793]

I think the versatility and diversity of the Beatles catalog are on the list of ingredients that makes the Beatles such a damn legendary band of brothers. Edit: To all the people liking this post .. "You know it !!"

[@BobbiRakus]

You don’t upload a lot, but I always look forward to it when you do! 🙂

[@Patrick-fm5dk]

I can’t remember where I read this but I did read somewhere that the opening guitar downstrokes were played by Paul on a Fender Esquire.

[@shelby-i3j]

one of the amazing things about the beatles music is how its weathered time...oddly some of the songs i didnt care for years ago i love now...kinda like im growing with the music...Helter Skelter was never a favorite of mine but...give it time. love learning the history of their music

[@ianbartle456]

That's a very valid point. A good example is how Here Comes The Sun has risen to receive the recognition is deserves. George would have been proud of that.

[@rome8180]

The isolated bass certainly sounds like a Fender Jazz Bass to me. I say that as someone who has owned and played many Jazz Basses over the years. They have a distinctive sound. It definitely doesn't sound like a Fender VI.

[@biancachristie]

Agreed

[@brenthooton3412]

If there's anything that ever suggested to me that it might not be Paul, it's the sloppiness in the rhythm. But take a listen to the isolated bass part in other songs like I Want You (She's So Heavy) - it's a little wobbly in the rhythm (and the tuning!!) too. The mid-session Elvis cover is absolutely conclusive evidence to me.

[@jpollackauthor]

It only sounds sloppy isolated - listen to the bass track blended with the drums and it's dead on. Anything recorded without a click track or metronome is going to sound sloppy in the rhythm if you play it isolated.

[@zendermeister]

Sir, you are a meticulous, probably genius video creator. I can't think of one aspect of video creation where you lack. This one must have taken DAYS to create. I'm glad you recommend the Helter Skelter/Whole Lotta Love mash-up I've probably listened to that fifty times.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Love hearing all the cool bass runs, my favorite instrument. Can’t get into the song though, never cared for it before or after the Manson murders. The pics of the 4 members side by side, are the ones I had hanging in my college dorm room. Cool memory.

[@davidwagner85]

The Beatles were long done making music as a group by the time I first heard the White Album. But.... without the Beatles music, I would not be who I am toady.

[@humanseekingtruth6080]

Ever considered that it could be a mix of two baselines? With all the overdubbing, perhaps it’s John’s & Paul’s baselines on this track mixed together.

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

Hi - it's theoretically possible (it did happen on a few other White Album tracks) - but there's no evidence of it in the studio notes or session tapes. And to my ears, I only hear one part.

[@humanseekingtruth6080]

@@YouCantUnhearThis • I understand. Thanks for the good video and also responding to my comment.

[@nickg2431]

Great idea for a channel.At 12.40 etc discussing the bass sound ,the controls on the bass and amps used on the sessions could easily make you think you are hearing a different instrument.

[@Brianvanmoustache]

Always loved this song. The heavy & rough chaos jam mixed with the aggressive singin about... Goin down a slide.. It's great