The Beatles made fantastic music, even when it was just the four of them playing their regular instruments. But their willingness to incorporate other sounds into their formula often paid great dividends. On a few of those occasions, brass instruments provided a big boost.
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In some cases, it was one horn player delivering the goods, while in others, a whole slew of brass instrumentalists contributed. Here are five examples of those brassy Beatles.
“Got to Get You into My Life” from Revolver (1966)
You could listen a thousand times to this track off Revolver and never realize that the you in the song Paul McCartney needs in his existence is marijuana. He does a pretty good job of disguising it in the lyrics. It’s so easy to get swept up in the momentum of the music that the intent of the words slips by. McCartney has spoken about how his love of Motown played into the creation of “Got to Get You into My Life.” And, like many Motown classics, this one includes a horn section, specifically three trumpeters and two saxophonists, to help increase the soulful quotient.
“Penny Lane” from Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
That high-pitched horn that you hear during the instrumental break in “Penny Lane” is known as a piccolo trumpet. And The Beatles might never have known it existed if it weren’t for their status as musical omnivores. In this case, it was Paul McCartney who was looking for something different for “Penny Lane.” While sitting at home watching a classical concert, he heard this chirping horn and thought it might do the trick. After asking George Martin what the instrument was, he went out and got the same player (David Mason) he’d heard on television to contribute to this memorable Beatles’ track.
“Lady Madonna” (Single, 1968)
After 1967 found them embracing psychedelia in all its multicolored glory, The Beatles decided to come back down to Earth a bit with their first single of 1968. “Lady Madonna” was written and performed by Paul McCartney as a kind of homage to Fats Domino, who was a huge influence on the band. In addition to the “fake” instrumental solo (which was created by The Beatles cupping their hands and mimicking horns), McCartney enlisted a brass section. There’s also a solo sax section from Ronnie Scott, who performed his frantic part while frustrated that McCartney hadn’t given him a clear idea of what to play.
“Savoy Truffle” from The Beatles (1968)
It turns out Eric Clapton contributed more to The White Album than just his unforgettable lead guitar work on “While My Gently Weeps.” His fondness for sweets also played into the creation of “Savoy Truffle,” which was written by George Harrison in part to gently mock his good friend Clapton’s sweet tooth. To give the song some bite, The Beatles employed a sextet of saxophonists who charge through the song with abandon. Harrison clearly liked the effect, as he would later conjure a similar brass sound for his solo song “Art of Dying.”
“You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)” (Single, 1970)
Brian Jones’ reputation as a blues enthusiast guided the direction of the early Rolling Stones. But it was his ability to play a multitude of instruments, such as recorder on “Ruby Tuesday” or sitar on “Paint It Black,” that ended up making the greatest musical impact on the band. He brought those talents to The Beatles as well, albeit in a somewhat comical form. “You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)” is pretty much a straight novelty track from the Fab Four, and Jones’ squawking sax part plays into the anarchic spirit. Sadly, Jones wasn’t alive to see the long-gestating song finally get released as a B-side in 1970.
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