Carry That Weight

Thematically it touches on childhood, time and sadness. It refers to another Beatles record (verse quotes 'You Never Give Me Your Money'), a habit 5 years old by this point, and 12 songs deep. A single multi-syllabic rhyme arrives ("invitations/celebrations"), and the language is sparse and dark (burden of fame, band tensions). Curiously, the title is worded as a command and also is sung in the chorus. Interestingly, the line "And in the middle of" turns up in one other Beatles song, 'You Never Give Me Your Money'. By contrast, "celebrations" turns up in no other Beatles lyric.

'Carry That Weight' is a gospel and rock song, classical music influences showing through (orchestral medley scoring), played at roughly 96 BPM in the key of C major. Then, it reaches for a min9 chord, which four Beatles songs use, such as 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun' and 'Julia'. It never settles into verses and choruses, which is unusual for them, and the key moves from C major to A minor in the bridge. As it happens, the chords run E7 → Am → Dm9 → G7, the same move 'Baby It's You' makes as A7 → Dm → Gm → C7.

Backing track cut alongside Golden Slumbers in EMI Studio 2. The orchestral overdub by George Martin was added in mid-August 1969. The Steinway Vertegrand was played by Paul McCartney. The session was set up with the Fender Bass VI, in use since 1968 and heard on seven Beatles records in all, such as 'Helter Skelter' and 'Rocky Raccoon'. Three songs share the day with this one among them, the 202nd to the 204th of their career.

McCartney wrote it, and shares the lead with Lennon, Harrison and Starr. What is added on top of the usual lineup is Starr on timpani, as on 'Golden Slumbers' and 'Every Little Thing'. George is off his usual instrument here, playing bass, Paul on rhythm guitar. George Martin plays on this one as well as producing it, less common for a Beatles record, as he does on 'Devil in Her Heart' and 'And I Love Her'. Strings, brass and woodwind sit behind the track. All four Beatles sing chorus in unison, on backing vocals.

This song was released September 26, 1969, as part of Abbey Road. This song was the 22nd of the 26 records the Beatles released in that year, and the 198th they ever made.