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"Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is a song written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon/McCartney) and recorded by The Beatles for their 1969 album Abbey Road. All three of his bandmates were vocal in their dislike of the song.
Background
While in Rishikesh, India, in early 1968, McCartney began to write the first verse of the song. Having completed most of it by October that year, he intended for its inclusion on the album The Beatles, but it was never properly recorded during those sessions due to time constraints. It was rehearsed again three months later, in January 1969, at Twickenham film studios during the Get Back sessions but would not be recorded for another six months.
Recording
The Beatles began recording the song at EMI Studios (later Abbey Road Studios) in London on 9 July 1969. Sixteen takes of the rhythm track were made, followed by a series of guitar overdubs. Over the following two days the group overdubbed vocals, piano, Hammond organ, anvil, and guitar. For the studio version of the song, the anvil was played by Ringo Starr, in the Beatles film Let It Be, however, Mal Evans is seen hitting the anvil as the Beatles record the track. The song was completed on 6 August, when McCartney recorded a solo on a Moog synthesizer.
The recording subsequently drew comment from the band:
John Lennon said "I was ill after the accident when they did most of that track", referring to his recent car accident, "and it really ground George and Ringo into the ground recording it", adding later "I hate it, 'cos all I remember is the track … (Paul) did everything to make it into a single, and it never was and it never could have been."
George Harrison characterized the song as "fruity" and commented "we spent a hell of a lot of time on it", and later "after a while, we did a good job on it".
Starr told Rolling Stone in 2008: "The worst session ever was 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer.' It was the worst track we ever had to record. It went on for fucking weeks. I thought it was mad."
McCartney recalled: "The only arguments were about things like me spending three days on Maxwell's Silver Hammer. I remember George saying, 'You've taken three days, it's only a song.' – 'Yeah, but I want to get it right. I've got some thoughts on this one.' It was early-days Moog work and it did take a bit of time".
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