Studio 18th October 1964

Back to Some Kind of Normal

I went to the studios today from 2.30 in the afternoon, all the way through to 11.30pm. Half way through October and the season was changing, leaves turning and dropping away from branches, cool winds meeting me as I walked to the shops and the nights had me fetching my flannelette pyjamas which, by the way, were only worn when John wasn't coming over. I had a nice floaty nightie for John for those particular nights he stayed or one of Johns shirts depending on what I felt like at the time. Sometimes John choose of course...

Jane was back in London and spent plenty of time with us at the house, at first, I was terribly worried she was upset with my being there but soon we were talking a mile a minute again, even if I was still a lump of coal to her diamond like existence, we nattered about everything from movies to cute fluffy animals.

They were really romantic together and I made sure I was well and truly out of the way by the time the mood turned, like if I was watching the telly with them and they started making out. Dimming the lights, turning down the volume on the telly I drifted away, sometimes Paul caught my eye, I would smile and go to bed.

At first when we were alone I had made sure to wear high turtlenecks and my shabby cardigan, long pants and definitely no makeup. Definitely didn't leave my underwear hanging about in the laundry, oops that sounds so disgusting doesn't it ... I mean... my clean, hung up to dry, underwear! I now hung it on a small airer in my bedroom, not terribly good for drying but if the clouds were about outside this was better than nothing.

Paul stole my natty cardigan off the back of the chair one morning I searched high and low for two days, having to wear my peacoat about the house, I was so annoyed. I knew he did it because he can't fib you see..
has a habit of staring across to the right and tapping his leg, I think he enjoyed my being stirred up by such a silly thing.

Anyway, second day of wearing my peacoat inside I went up to my room and there it sat, on the centre of my bed, a parcel wrapped in pale pink paper and tied with curled white ribbon. Paul had just gone out and John had left at two, I opened the mystery parcel and there sat in the tissue paper was a new cardigan. Exactly the same cut and colour as my natty one. Paul must have taken it to find the exact same one at the shop, I finally realised.

A message attached saying: From Me To You, Paulie.

Such a sweetie, although I did have to soak the new one in softener for hours to get it the same as my natty old one.

The boys were off up the country touring for the next few weeks Birmingham, Manchester, Hull then back here to record then they'll be off again to Scotland. Aye they were busy, still got into trouble though. Messing about, having a laff.

At the studio Mister Martin let me sit on the stool on the right in the control room, away from all the controls but it was no trouble to see through the large window the boys were behind. Lots of great music was worked on for their new album, and I was asked my opinion and everything!

'What do you think Abbs' getting thrown through the microphones so that I had to give a thumbs up to which I got big smiles back, I'd give a so- so signal and Richard would crack up laughing at the boys grumbling about my analysing, I never got round to a thumbs down of course. Mister Martin was very nice and encouraged the pieces of feedback I offered shyly. I guess I was a fan so my ears were what they were trying so hard to reach.

So many times, sorry so many takes. They ran through the same song countless times. But every time, it was nurtured like a baby to grow and stand alone.

Eight Days A Week, Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!, Mr Moonlight, I Feel Fine, I'll Follow The Sun, Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby, Rock And Roll Music, Words Of Love

"Abigail" John called from the studio.

As they weren't recording George- Mister Martin, got me to follow him into the studio, the four soundproof walls were very high. Richard had to position his kit between two temporary walls for one or two songs.

"Yes John?" I sat on the floor crossing my legs as he leaned back on the chair legs stretched out, I grabbed his boot and wiggled his foot to and fro.

"The next song..." The boot disappeared and John sat forward nearly kissing my nose ".The next one's yours" He kissed my nose super quick.

I quizzed him with a frown, not saying a word, he knew I wasn't sure what he was meaning. He leaned down again, my ear close to his lips, hot breath on my neck tickling "The next song I wrote for you luv"

I jumped back from him, eyes wide, went to scream then covered my mouth to stop it. He grinned so wide.

"Is it good?" I worried making him roll his eyes "Oh John I'm sure it will be fine" Rubbing his knee, sort of comforting him, making him second guess his decision to even tell me.

It was more than fine.

'I Feel Fine' was the most wonderful present ever and I could not believe he thought of me so much to write a song. A song just for me!
I had to run out of the control room and jump up and down in the hall as the last notes were played, I heard yelling as I fled and poor John thought the worst but he found me and I pounced into his arms holding him so tightly he had to tickle me to get me off.

"You like it then" I was kissing him silly in the corridor all over, lipstick kisses evident on his cheeks and neck.

"OH yes, thank-you so much Johnny, I love it!!" I near squealed and had to calm myself a heap to walk dignified-like back into the control room where a sombre Mister Martin sat with a tiny little side smile on his face, directed at me of course. I kissed his cheek too, leading to John spar boxing and thumbing his nose jabbing toward Mister Martin through the glass.

Mr Moonlight made me swoon the way John started it off was so sweet, I sometimes wished I could sing so well.

By the time 11pm rolled around I had yawned about five hundred times, made three hundred cups of tea, fetched endless snacks for George and Richie, so many in fact, I began to anticipate their next request and kept a stock of goodies in a cardboard box I pinched from the canteen. John called for throat lozenges, which of course I had, so Mal didn't have to go to the store and Paul wanted a toasted cheese sandwich which then turned into a plate full of cheese toasties!

"Last song" Mister Martin woke me from my daydream as I shut the heavy door quietly and tilted his head for me to step forward to watch and listen "Take three, lucky you're back Abigail, come and sit, press this button"

I had stepped out for some air, only walking back in the control room for Mister Martin to be stood waiting expectantly for me.

"Why?"

"Last song and I think you can press a button don't you, hmm" Mister Martin slipped onto the chair beside me and counted the boys in as I pressed the record button. I made sure not to press anything else, Norman and Geoff, the sound engineers, stood behind my chair which was positioned right in the middle of the panel.

"Words of Love"

I smiled and sat, all dewy eyed with chin on my hand. It was so romantic as John and Paul sang Buddy Holly's song in harmony so lovely, united as one. George and Richie played brilliantly and I was so lucky to be there, so close to them all. It was certainly a thrill that I would never ever forget.

"Perfect" I whispered as Mister Martin stopped the equipment nodding agreement and smiling, he then sorted some buttons and was switching the tape back on again for the boys to listen and check for perfection.

It was.