On This Day in 1968 The Beatles began recording ‘The White Album’

Release Date – 22nd November 1968

Words: Dan Smith

It was 53 years to the day that The Beatles decided to start recording a double LP which would be released later that year. Officially originally titled ‘The Beatles’ before later being dubbed ‘The White Album’, John, George, Paul and Ringo released their first record under the Apple Label.

Featuring 30 songs and lasting 1 hour and 33 minutes in total, ‘The White Album’ is considered by many to be their finest album, although the same can be said for any of their albums – they really were that good. But the reason ‘The White Album’ is always up there in the conversation is probably due to the volume of unbelievable songs featured.

Kicking off with ‘Back in the U.S.S.R’ and featuring timeless classics such as ‘Blackbird’, ‘I’m So Tired’ and ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ as well as ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-Li-Da’ and ‘Revolution’, The Beatles picked up on all the popular genres of the time, creating a menagerie of pop-rock culture, captivating the nation.

For me, ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ is the standout on the album, but I’m sure you could ask 20 people and no answer would be the same – which is the pure beauty of The Beatles.