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From album
The Beatles
The Beatles · 1968 · Track 22
Details
Duración3:15
ÁlbumThe Beatles
Año1968
ISRCGBAYE0601665
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The story behind
When the Beatles recorded Sexy Sadie in 1968, the song already carried a personal history for John Lennon. He composed it while the group was in India, and according to accounts, it arose as a reaction to an alleged approach by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi towards actress Mia Farrow. Lennon himself described how he wrote it just before leaving India, feeling that his farewell to the Maharishi had not been entirely positive. Originally, he thought of titling it Maharishi, but it was George Harrison who suggested the change to Sexy Sadie, a title they finally adopted. The lyrics, which Lennon etched on wood upon his return, reflected that disillusionment and a feeling of having been deceived. This piece is considered an early example of what is now known as a "diss track," a song with the intention of criticizing or discrediting someone.
The recording of Sexy Sadie took place at EMI studios in London during the summer of 1968, under the production of George Martin and with Ken Scott as recording engineer. The track, which lasts 3:15, is part of the double album The Beatles, also known as the White Album, released by Apple Records. Curiously, there is an early version of the song where Lennon demonstrated the original lyrics, much more direct and raw, aimed at the Maharishi. The final edition of the song, heard on the album, features a fading outro that was originally longer, including a musical section that was removed before mixing. At the time, Lennon compared the structure of Sexy Sadie to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "I've Been Good to You," noting similarities in the way disappointment was expressed.