How Paul McCartney Made The First Hidden Track In Rock

Released before Let It Be, the iconic Abbey Road is often considered the Beatles’ final recording, marking a masterful end to their influential career. Among the tracks included in the album is “Her Majesty” which stands out as a fascinating footnote in rock history.

Clocking in at just 23 seconds, “Her Majesty” is the shortest song in the Beatles’ catalog. Initially, it was never intended to be released. Positioned as a hidden gem, it follows the final chords of “The End,” emerging as a brief yet poignant acoustic piece by Paul McCartney. Originally conceived for the medley, McCartney abandoned the track, but the young assistant engineer John Kurlander (who would later become the brains for the mixing works for the Lord of the Rings Trilogy movies) was instructed to discard nothing and secretly tucked it away at the end of the album.

The Beatles discovered the track the following day. Despite its unexpected placement, they appreciated its charm and decided to keep it, even though it disrupted the somber mood left by “The End.” This placement of “Her Majesty” at the very end of the album was unconventional and became a defining moment in music history.

Interestingly, “Her Majesty” was intended to fit between “Mean Mr. Mustard” and “Polythene Pam.” However, McCartney was dissatisfied with its placement and requested it be removed. The task of editing fell to Kurlander, who, despite his inexperience, made a notable decision. As recounted by Geoff Emerick, Kurlander’s decision to retain the track inadvertently led to one of rock music’s first hidden tracks.

When the Beatles opted to include “Her Majesty,” it not only added a unique twist to the album but also set a precedent in music, becoming one of the early examples of a hidden track in a major release.

Listen to the track through the link below.