Recording
The basic instrumental track was recorded 26 April 1969, with the classic Beatles lineup of two electric guitars (Harrison and Lennon, the latter using his fingerstyle technique as on "Julia", "Dear Prudence", etc.), bass guitar (McCartney) and drums (Starr). Starr also provided a temporary guide vocal. (Take 2 of the recording, featuring this guide vocal, Starr singing the first verse three times, is track 14 on disc 2 of Anthology 3.) In the absence of George Martin, the Beatles themselves were listed as producer, with Martin's apprentice Chris Thomas present in the control room to assist. Thirty-two takes were required before the Beatles were satisfied with the track.
The backing vocals by McCartney and Harrison during the guitar solo were put through compressors and limiters to create a gurgling sound. Harrison added the sound of bubbles being blown into a glass of milk using a straw.
Read more about this topic: Octopus's Garden
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—Jane Heap (c. 1880–1964)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)