July 30, 1966 – Drummer Ringo Starr handles the lead vocals for “Yellow Submarine,
July 30, 1966 – Drummer Ringo Starr handles the lead vocals for “Yellow Submarine,” which takes up one side of the newest Beatles single, set for release Aug. 5 in Great Britain. The flip side is “Eleanor Rigby.”
The two songs are pulled from the group’s upcoming album “Revolver,” which is scheduled for release on the same date. Although both songs are credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, Paul McCartney was the primary composer for each.
The release marks the first time Starr has taken a vocal lead on a British single, as well as the first instance of the Beatles issuing album cuts on a 45-rpm record, although their chart-topper “Ticket To Ride” did appear on the “Help!” film album.
Currently, no promotional appearances have been scheduled for the band, and neither side of the disc has been designated as the primary track.
“Yellow Submarine” is written in the style of a children’s sea song, and “Eleanor Rigby” utilizes an eight-piece string section of four violins, two violas and two cellos.
Besides the four Beatles themselves, the closing chorus of “Submarine” includes voices from road managers Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans, record producer George Martin, and various technical employees and studio workers. The nautical sound effects heard on the track were created using both live studio tricks and tapes.
The most recent single by the Beatles, “Paperback Writer,” dropped seven spots on the sales charts this week to land at number 14.
