On This Day: 08 September, 1967
-Studio 3. 7.00pm-2.45am. Recording: ‘Aerial Tour Instrumental’ (working title of ‘Flying’) (takes 1-6, tape reduction take 6 into takes 7, 8, overdub onto take 8). Mono mixing: ‘Aerial Tour Instrumental’ (working title of ‘Flying’) (remixes 1-4, from take 8). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick; 2nd Engineer: Richard Lush.
“Flying” is the first Beatles instrumental theme released for EMI. 1st theme credited to all Beatles.
“Flying” was recorded with mellotron, guitar, bass, maracas, drums and tape loop overdubs on 28 September under its original title of “Aerial Tour Instrumental”.
The original ending of the recording was a fast-paced traditional New Orleans jazz-influenced coda, but it was removed and replaced with an ending featuring tape loops created by John Lennon and Ringo Starr during the September 28 session.
The loops extended the song to 9 minutes and 38 seconds, but the track was ultimately cut down to 2 minutes and 17 seconds for the album.