Back in the U.S.S.R.

Back in the U.S.S.R. is the opening track of the Beatles' self-titled album, and was written and sung by Paul McCartney (credited Lennon/McCartney). It was written by McCartney to sound like a Beach Boys song. This is most obvious around the line "The Ukraine girls really knock me out."

In his 1984 interview with Playboy, McCartney stated that the song's title was "took off" from Chuck Berry's song "Back in the U.S.A.".

Lyrics
[Verse 1]

Oh, flew in by Miami Beach B.O.A.C.

Didn't get to bed last night

On the way the paper bag was on my knee

Man I had a dreadful flight

[Chorus]

I'm back in the U.S.S.R.

You don't know how lucky you are boy

Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah)

[Verse 2]

Been away so long I hardly knew the place

Gee it's good to be back home

Leave it 'til tomorrow to unpack my case

Honey disconnect the phone

[Chorus]

I'm back in the U.S.S.R.

You don't know how lucky you are boy

Back in the U.S.

Back in the U.S.

Back in the U.S.S.R.

[Bridge]

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out

They leave the West behind

And Moscow girls make me sing and shout

That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind

[Interlude]

Aw come on!

Ho yeah!

Ho yeah!

Ho ho yeah!

Yeah yeah!

[Chorus]

Yeah I'm back in the U.S.S.R.

You don't know how lucky you are boys

Back in the U.S.S.R.

[Bridge]

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out

They leave the West behind

And Moscow girls make me sing and shout

That Georgia's always on my my my my my my my my my mind

[Verse 3]

Oh, show me 'round your snow-peaked mountains way down south

Take me to your daddy's farm

Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out

Come and keep your comrade warm

[Chorus]

I'm back in the U.S.S.R.

Hey you don't know how lucky you are boys

Back in the U.S.S.R.

Oh let me tell you, honey

Hey, I'm back!

I'm back in the U.S.S.R.

Yes, I'm free!

Yeah, back in the U.S.S.R.

[Outro]

(Ha, ha...)

Recording

 * August 22, 1968- Five takes of the rhythm track were recorded with Paul on drums, George on lead guitar and John on bass.
 * August 23, 1968- Overdubbing of two more drum tracks (probably John and George), two more bass parts (probably Paul and George), two more lead guitar parts (probably John and Paul), a piano, the lead vocal, John and George backing vocals and handclaps. They also overdubbed the opening airplane sound, which was a Viscount jet taken from EMI's sound effects library, Volume 17: Jet and Piston Engine Aeroplane as well as Mono mixing and tape copying.
 * October 1, 1968- Stereo mixing
 * November 22, 1968-First released on The White Album in the UK.

Credits

 * Paul McCartney - Lead and Backing Vocals, Lead/Rhythm Guitar (1962 Epiphone 230TD Casino), Bass Guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 4001S), Piano (Hamburg Steinway Baby Grand), Drums (1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl) and Handclaps
 * John Lennon - Backing Vocals, Six-String Bass Guitar (1963 Fender Bass VI), Rhythm Guitar (1965 Epiphone 230TD Casino), Drums (1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl) and Handclaps
 * George Harrison - Backing Vocals, Lead/Rhythm Guitar (1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard), Bass Guitar (1966 Fender Jazz Bass Right Handed), Drums (1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl) and Handclaps

Trivia

 * Ringo did not participate in the recording