The Straight Dope: What instruments are used in the crescendo in the Beatles' "A Day in the Life"?

A Straight Dope Classic from Cecil's storehouse of human knowledge

What instruments are used in the crescendo in the Beatles' "A Day in the Life"?

25-Jul-1976

Dear Cecil:

We have a Beatles trivia question on which a dinner-for-four wager rides. The question is this: on the Sgt. Pepper song "A Day in the Life," what instruments are used for the crescendo after the singer says, "I'd love to turn you on"? --David W., Chicago

Dear David:

The crescendo is the product of a full-scale 41-piece orchestra, conducted by one P. McCartney, with Mal Evans soloing on alarm clock.

--CECIL ADAMS

[Comment on this answer]

[Return to the Archive]

The Straight Dope / Questions or comments for Cecil Adams to: cecil@chicagoreader.com
Comments regarding this website to: webmaster@straightdope.com
Copyright © 1996-2004 Chicago Reader, Inc. All rights reserved.
No material contained in this site may be republished or reposted without express written permission.
The Straight Dope is a registered trademark of Chicago Reader, Inc.