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Baby, You're a Rich Man

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“Baby, You're A Rich Man”
“Baby, You're A Rich Man” cover
Single by The Beatles
from the album Magical Mystery Tour
B-side "All You Need Is Love"
Released 7 July 1967 (UK)
17 July 1967 (US)
Format 7"
Recorded Olympic Studios: 11 May 1967
Genre Psychedelic rock / Experimental rock
Length 3:03
Label Parlophone (UK)
Capitol (U.S.)
Writer(s) Lennon/McCartney
Producer George Martin
The Beatles singles chronology
"Strawberry Fields Forever" / "Penny Lane"
(1966)
"All You Need Is Love" / "Baby, You're a Rich Man"
(1967)
"Hello, Goodbye" /
"I Am The Walrus"
(1967)


In 'Baby You're a Rich Man' the point was, stop moaning. You're a rich man and we're all rich men, heh, heh, baby!

—John Lennon, 1968

'Baby, You're A Rich Man' was co-written by John and me at Cavendish Avenue. There was lots of talk in the newspapers about the beautiful people. That was what they called them, so, we figured, 'Well, how does it feel to be one of the beautiful people?'

—Paul McCartney, 1968

That's a combination of two seperate pieces, Paul's and mine, put together and forced into one song. One-half was all mine. (sings) 'How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people/ Now that you know who you are...' Then Paul comes in with, (sings) 'Baby you're a rich man,' which was a lick he had around.

—John Lennon, 1980

Numerous instruments can be hard in the song: John played piano, a Clavioline — an electronic keyboard instrument with its own amplifier which plays just one note at a time and can imitate the tonal qualities of various instruments — and sang both lead and backing vocals, George played lead guitar, sang backing vocals and added handclaps while Ringo played drums and tambourine and also contributed a spot of handclapping. Eddie Kramer, second engineer, reportedly contributed a little vibraphone.

The Beatles Recording Sessions, p. 111, Mark Lewisohn, 1988

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