Songs > Back In The U.S.S.R.

Back In The U.S.S.R.

(Lennon/McCartney)

Song background
This song was written while on Meditation by Paul with help from Mike Love of the Beach Boys. It is a parody of Beach Boys songs such as "Surfin' USA." The mention of "Ukraine girls" and "Georgia" was thought by many to be sympathetic to Communism and was denounced.

Recording dates

August 22, 1968 (5 takes; basic track)
August 23, 1968 (additional bass, vocal, drum, and piano overdubs; mono mixing)
October 13, 1968 (stereo mixing)

Release dates

Recording notes

During sessions for "Back In The U.S.S.R.", tension in the studio reached such a point that Ringo quit the group and was gone for two weeks before convinced to come back September 3, his drum kit covered in flowers by Mal Evans. Paul, John and George each recorded a drum, bass, and lead guitar track (3 total tracks for each instrument). The jet sound effect came from the Abbey Road sound effects collection, specifically, "Volume 17: Jet And Piston Engine Aeroplane".

Chart performance

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Awards

Anomolies

Other notes

Notable covers

Billy Joel (from Concert in Russia)