When I'm 64
The song was recorded on 6 December 1966. There were multiple overdub sessions, including the lead vocal by McCartney on 8 December and backing vocals by McCartney, Lennon, and George Harrison on 20 December. The clarinets were recorded on 21 December.
The song is in the key of D-flat major. The Beatles recorded the song in C major but the master take was sped up in order to raise the key by one semitone at the insistence of McCartney. Martin remembers that McCartney suggested this change in order to make his voice sound younger. McCartney says, "I wanted to appear younger, but that was just to make it more rooty-tooty; just lift the key because it was starting to sound turgid."
The song is in the key of D-flat major. The Beatles recorded the song in C major but the master take was sped up in order to raise the key by one semitone at the insistence of McCartney. Martin remembers that McCartney suggested this change in order to make his voice sound younger. McCartney says, "I wanted to appear younger, but that was just to make it more rooty-tooty; just lift the key because it was starting to sound turgid."
Instrumentation
A clarinet trio (two B-flat soprano clarinets and a bass clarinet) is featured prominently in the song. In the song's final verse, the clarinet is played in harmony with McCartney's vocal. Supporting instruments include the piano, bass, drum kit especially snare, tubular bells, and electric guitar.
The texture of the song is homophonic although there are lots of little melodic fragments heard on clarinets as part of the accompaniment.
A clarinet trio (two B-flat soprano clarinets and a bass clarinet) is featured prominently in the song. In the song's final verse, the clarinet is played in harmony with McCartney's vocal. Supporting instruments include the piano, bass, drum kit especially snare, tubular bells, and electric guitar.
The texture of the song is homophonic although there are lots of little melodic fragments heard on clarinets as part of the accompaniment.
Style
This song is in a Ragtime (1920's Jazz) style.
Features of Jazz in this song
Syncopation
Clarinets
Brushes on snare drum
Swing rhythm
(Mini) circle of 5ths on "when I'm 64"
Alternating bass pattern in 2/2 time
This song is in a Ragtime (1920's Jazz) style.
Features of Jazz in this song
Syncopation
Clarinets
Brushes on snare drum
Swing rhythm
(Mini) circle of 5ths on "when I'm 64"
Alternating bass pattern in 2/2 time
Form
Intro 4 + 2
A) Verse 8 + 8
B) "Bridge" 17
A) Verse 8 + 8
B) "Bridge" 17
A) Verse 8 + 8
Coda 4
The sections are all identical in structure and harmony (chords). Try to notice the little differences in instruments, backing vocals etc from section to section.
Intro 4 + 2
A) Verse 8 + 8
B) "Bridge" 17
A) Verse 8 + 8
B) "Bridge" 17
A) Verse 8 + 8
Coda 4
The sections are all identical in structure and harmony (chords). Try to notice the little differences in instruments, backing vocals etc from section to section.
Introduction - 6 bars (4+2)
Note: Although written here in straight quavers, the "swing feel" alters this rhythm to long - short - long.
Also notice the important features, syncopation and alternating bass.
Note: Although written here in straight quavers, the "swing feel" alters this rhythm to long - short - long.
Also notice the important features, syncopation and alternating bass.
Syncopation continues to be a huge feature together with chromatic passages in the middle of each verse.
Tonality
We consider the song to be in C major even though it sounds in Db due to the speeding up of the tape. It was recorded in C major.
Intro | C | C |F G | C | C | C |
Verse | C | C | C | G7 | G7 |G7 |G7 |C |
| C | C | C7 | F | Fm | C A | D G7| C | The last 2 and a half bars are an example of a small circle of 5ths, a feature of Jazz.
Bridge
THE TONALITY OF THE BRIDGE IS MINOR. IT IS IN THE KEY OF A MINOR, THE RELATIVE MINOR OF C MAJOR
| Am | Am | G | Am | Am | Am | E | E | E |
| Am | Dm | Dm | F | G | C | G | G7 (arpeggio)
We consider the song to be in C major even though it sounds in Db due to the speeding up of the tape. It was recorded in C major.
Intro | C | C |F G | C | C | C |
Verse | C | C | C | G7 | G7 |G7 |G7 |C |
| C | C | C7 | F | Fm | C A | D G7| C | The last 2 and a half bars are an example of a small circle of 5ths, a feature of Jazz.
Bridge
THE TONALITY OF THE BRIDGE IS MINOR. IT IS IN THE KEY OF A MINOR, THE RELATIVE MINOR OF C MAJOR
| Am | Am | G | Am | Am | Am | E | E | E |
| Am | Dm | Dm | F | G | C | G | G7 (arpeggio)