Guitar World takes a look at the acoustic guitar-based songs on the "White Album" -- how they were written and the process they went through to become finished tracks.

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"MOTHER NATURE'S SON"

Recorded August 9 & 20, EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Written by Paul McCartney during the Beatles' trip to India, "Mother Nature's Son" was yet another "White Album" recording to feature only one Beatle. McCartney cut the song's acoustic guitar and vocal tracks on the night of August 9, after the other Beatles had left the studio. Overdubs were recorded during another evening session on August 20, with McCartney adding drums (they sound like bongos on the record), tympani and a second acoustic guitar.

The song's brass arrangement, scored by producer George Martin, was also recorded that night. A description of this session is offered by Alan Brown, at the time an Abbey Road technical engineer. "It was quite late at night, the whole building was quiet, and there was Paul playing this enchanting song. We were all moved by it."

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