The Beatles Release Rare Recording ‘Day Tripper (Songwriting Work Tape)’ 

The ‘Day Tripper (Songwriting Work Tape)’ offers a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of the song, capturing John Lennon and Paul McCartney working together at John’s home, Kenwood, in Weybridge, Surrey. At this stage, the iconic riff that would come to define ‘Day Tripper’ had yet to be written.

Initially based on an old folk song John had written the previous month, the recording captures the pair developing the song together, highlighting the fun they had when writing as a duo. John and Paul can be heard laughing as they work through the song, with John later making reference to the high level of sound being captured on tape.

The final version of ‘Day Tripper’ was completed during an eight-hour studio session, making this songwriting work tape a fascinating insight into both the creative process behind one of The Beatles’ most enduring songs and the enjoyment John and Paul found in working together.