March 22, 2013 21:36

Paul McCartney reveals original electronica plans for The Beatles' 'Yesterday'

Macca apparently approached Delia Derbyshire from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Photo Gallery: The Beatles
Photo: PA

Paul McCartney has said that he originally intended The Beatles song 'Yesterday' to be an early piece of electronic music.

McCartney told Q magazine that he approached Delia Derbyshire from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and wanted to collaborate with her.

Electronica pioneer Derbyshire - pictured below - was behind the experimental Doctor Who theme tune. A cult figure, she died in 2001. McCartney said:

I even found out where Miss Derbyshire lived, and went round to visit her. We even went into the hut in the bottom of her garden. It was full of tape machines and funny instruments. My plan in meeting her was to do an electronic backing for my song, 'Yesterday'.

He added: "We'd already recorded it with a string quartet, but I wanted to give the arrangement electronic backing... The Radiophonic Workshop, I loved all that, it fascinated me, and still does."

Earlier today Mark Ronson confirmed that he has worked with Paul McCartney on three tracks on the former Beatle's new solo album.

The DJ and producer said that working with McCartney was "insane" adding, "It's really good. He writes really good songs," Billboard reports.

The follow-up to last year's 'Kisses On The Bottom' also includes collaborations with producer Ethan Johns, who described the LP as "classic Paul".

"He's still one of the most extraordinary recording talents," he says. "There's a song on the record called 'Hosanna' which is absolutely heartbreaking – just Paul and an acoustic guitar. It's gorgeous," he told NME at the end of last year.

Meanwhile, Paul McCartney has announced plans for a 2013 tour, entitled Out There!. Although he has only revealed two dates so far – at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland on June 22 and the Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria on June 27 – more dates will be announced shortly.

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