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Back on July 21, The Beatles had recorded eight takes of “Come Together.” Take 6 was the one overdubbed for the album; take 1 appeared on Anthology 3; and the Abbey Road Deluxe Edition includes take 5.
The vocal on this one is clearly not up to snuff; John’s voice sounds hoarse and cracks a couple of times. But it’s worth a listen for the before- and after-song chatter, and because the bass is less prominent in the mix you can actually hear John quite distinctly saying “shoot me”:
In the bridge, where the guitar solo would go later, John semi-randomly reprises some of the words. (Cutting this part was a good call.) Soon after that the take breaks down, and the boys begin to banter, sounding tired and confused:
John: He’s got early warning, he’s got Doris Duckers (??).
Paul: Early warning?
John: Yes. A man like him would have it.
Paul: (unintelligible)
John: He’s got teenage lyrics, he’s got hot rod baldy….
(Paul noodles on bass)
John: Ugh… I’m losing my cool.
George (?): You could shave, man.
Amazingly enough, the take right after this one was the keeper. One wonders if maybe they had a little pick-me-up in between, whatever that may have been for them at the time. Somehow or other, anyway, John got his cool back.