Rocky Raccoon
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| "Rocky Raccoon" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by The Beatles
from the album The Beatles |
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| Released | 22 November 1968 | |||
| Recorded | 15 August 1968 | |||
| Genre | Folk rock | |||
| Length | 3:33 | |||
| Label | Apple Records | |||
| Writer | Lennon/McCartney | |||
| Producer | George Martin | |||
| The Beatles track listing | ||||
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"Rocky Raccoon" is a 1968 folk rock song by The Beatles from the double-disc album The Beatles (also known as The White Album). The song was primarily written by Paul McCartney, who was inspired while playing guitar with John Lennon and Donovan Leitch in India (where the Beatles had gone on a retreat).
Contents |
[edit] Composition
The song, titled from the character's name, was originally "Rocky Sassoon", but McCartney changed it to Rocky Raccoon because he thought "it sounded more like a cowboy."[1] The Old West-style honky-tonk piano was played by producer George Martin.[2]
[edit] Personnel
- Paul McCartney – vocals, acoustic guitar
- John Lennon – backing vocals, harmonica, harmonium, 6-string bass
- George Harrison – backing vocal
- Ringo Starr – drums
- George Martin – piano
- Personnel per Ian MacDonald[2]
[edit] Cover versions
Richie Havens, Ramsey Lewis, Jack Johnson, Andrew Gold, James Blunt and Phish have recorded cover versions of this song. Folk/Jazz artist Jessie Baylin covers the song on her current tour. Steel Train have covered the song in the past. Lena Horne (with Gábor Szabó) recorded a memorable version in 1969, which was subsequently re-released on several LP and CD compilations. Crowded House covered the song live as an intro to "Chocolate Cake". This performance was later released on their single "Instinct"
[edit] Notes
- ^ Beatles Interview Database 1968.
- ^ a b MacDonald 2005, p. 308.
[edit] References
- MacDonald, Ian (2005). Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties (Second Revised Edition ed.). London: Pimlico (Rand). ISBN 1-844-13828-3.
- "Radio Luxembourg Interview". Beatles Interview Database. The Beatles Interview Database. 20 November 1968. http://www.beatlesinterviews.org/db1968.1120.beatles.html. Retrieved 10 June 2007.
