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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"ROCKY RACCOON"

Recorded August 15, EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Another McCartney song conceived in Rishikesh, "Rocky Sassoon" (as it was originally called) was begun while McCartney, Lennon and folk singer Donovan ("Mellow Yellow," "Sunshine Superman," et al) were playing acoustic guitars on the roof of a chalet at the Maharishi's camp.

Retitled "Rocky Raccoon," the song was recorded in a single session, with McCartney on acoustic guitar, Ringo on drums and Lennon on bass. Harrison was present in the control room for the instrumental recordings and, along with Lennon and McCartney, contributed backing vocals. After mixing down the ninth take to free up new tracks on the four-track recorder, Lennon added harmonica and George Martin overdubbed a honky-tonk piano solo.

As recounted by Mark Lewisohn in The Beatles: Recording Sessions, McCartney was, even at this late date, still uncertain of the song) lyrics. Early takes included such ultimately rejected lines as "It's okay, doc, it's just a scratch, and I'll be okay when I get home," and "This is the story of a young boy living in Minnesota ... fuck off!"

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