Getting Better

"Getting Better" is a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, based on an original idea by McCartney.^[2] It was recorded by The Beatles for the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

"Getting Better"
Song by The Beatles
from the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Released	1 June 1967
Recorded	9 March 1967
Genre	Psychedelic rock[1]
Length	2:47
Label	Parlophone, Capitol, EMI
Songwriter(s)	Lennon/McCartney
Producer(s)	George Martin
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band track listing
13 tracks Side one "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" "With a Little Help from My Friends" "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" "Getting Better" "Fixing a Hole" "She's Leaving Home" "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" Side two "Within You Without You" "When I'm Sixty-Four" "Lovely Rita" "Good Morning Good Morning" "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" "A Day in the Life"

Lennon on the roof

One of the recording sessions for "Getting Better" is famous for an incident involving Lennon. During the 21 March 1967 session in which producer George Martin added a piano solo, Lennon complained that he did not feel well and could not focus.^[3][4] He had accidentally taken LSD when he meant to take an upper.^[5] Unaware of the mistake, Martin took him up to the roof of Abbey Road Studio for some fresh air, and returned to Studio Two where McCartney and Harrison were waiting. They knew why Lennon was not well, and upon hearing where Lennon was, rushed to the roof to retrieve him and prevent a possible accident.^[4][6][7]

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – double-tracked vocal, bass
• John Lennon – backing vocal, lead guitar
• George Harrison – backing vocals, lead guitar, tambura
• Ringo Starr – drums, congas
• George Martin – piano, pianette

Personnel per Ian MacDonald^[8]