While Ringo was still absent, the Fab Three recorded the song John wrote in India for Mia Farrow's sister…
Together with almost all the songs on the White Album, Dear Prudence also originates in February 1968 in India. In Rishikesh, where The Beatles, like a troubled couple seeking the help of a marriage counselor, go to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Unfortunately, their quest for inner peace doesn't go as planned. The Beatles don't find the enlightenment they were seeking. However, the experience manages to unleash inspiration for many new songs, most of which were composed between meditation sessions with contributions from other retreat participants.
«Paul, John, George and I all had our acoustic guitar with us», recalls Donovan, who teaches John the fingerpicking technique. «He was a fast learner»Among Maharishi's students is Mia Farrow with her sister Prudence, who becomes so immersed in meditation that she stays locked in her room for weeks without ever coming out. It seemed like «she was trying to reach God quicker than anybody else», John jokes and composes a melody on the guitar with lyrics that say, “Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?”.
Come per Back in the USSR, anche Dear Prudence vede il momentaneo abbandono di Ringo Starr in un periodo di tensioni della band durante le registrazioni. È infatti McCartney a sostituire il batterista che è in Sardegna ospite di Peter Sellers. Al suo ritorno Ringo trova la sua batteria ornata con fiori e scritte “Bentornato Ringo”. Lui non perde tempo e sovraincide una seconda, quasi solistica, parte di batteria. Proprio nel gran finale del brano, dopo che tutti gli elementi si sono man mano sommati uno ad uno. Partendo dall'ipnotico fingerpicking di John, al quale si aggiunge il pulsante e dinamico basso di Paul e infine la sempre originale chitarra di George. Quasi a simboleggiare che tutti i pezzi del puzzle sono piano piano tornati al loro posto.
Just like Back in the USSR, Dear Prudence also sees Ringo Starr temporarily leaving during a period of band tensions during the recordings. McCartney steps in to replace the drummer, who is in Sardinia as a guest of Peter Sellers. Upon his return, Ringo finds his drums adorned with flowers and the words “Welcome Back Ringo”. He wastes no time and overdubs a second, almost solo-like drum part, right in the grand finale of the song, after all the elements have gradually come together one by one. Starting with John's hypnotic fingerpicking, followed by Paul's pulsating and dynamic bass, and finally George's always original guitar. Symbolizing that all the puzzle pieces have slowly returned to their place.
Recorded and mixed by Massimo Gerini.
Video by Brizio Romagnoli.
A special thanks also goes to our friend Ennio Mircoli, his chitarre, and to Roberta for her usual “under duress” shots ;)
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
Look around round
Look around round round
Look around
Dear Prudence, let me see your smile
Dear Prudence, like a little child
The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see your smile again
Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile?
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day
The sun is up, the sky is blue
It's beautiful and so are you
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
