Your Mother Should Know

Your Mother Should Know is a song by The Beatles from their 1967 record Magical Mystery Tour, released in the U.S. as an LP on 27 November 1967 and in the UK as a double-EP on 8 December 1967. It was written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon/McCartney).

In the Magical Mystery Tour film
McCartney said he wrote it as a production number for the movie Magical Mystery Tour, supporting an old-fashioned dance segment that starts with the Beatles coming down a grand staircase in white tuxedoes. After they descend, boy scouts, RAF cadets and other groups march through. John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are wearing red carnations, while McCartney's is black. The carnation difference contributed to the "Paul is dead" controversy.

The sequence was spoofed by "Weird Al" Yankovic as a part of his video for UHF.

Recording
The song was recorded in three sessions on 22 August, 16 September, and 29 September 1967. The remake from 16 September was left unused, and overdubs layered on the best take from 22 August. Mixing did not go any smoother, with sessions on 29 September, 30 September and 7 November 1967.

The 22 August session took place at Chappell Recording Studios because Abbey Road Studios was unavailable that night. The remaining sessions were all at Abbey Road. It was during the Chappell Studio sessions that manager Brian Epstein made his last visit to a Beatles recording session before his death.

Personnel

 * Paul McCartney - lead and harmony vocals, piano, bass guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 4001S)
 * John Lennon - harmony vocals, organ (Hammond RT-3) and cymbals
 * George Harrison - harmony vocals, rhythm guitar (1961 Fender Stratocaster) and tambura
 * Ringo Starr - drums (1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl) and tambourine
 * George Martin - producer
 * Personnel per Ian MacDonald