Blue Jay Way Lyrics
There's a fog upon LA
And my friends have lost their way
“We'll be over soon,” they said
Now, they've lost themselves instead
[Chorus]
Please, don't be long
Please, don't you be very long
Please, don't be long
For I may be asleep
[Verse 2]
Well, it only goes to show
And I told them where to go
Ask a policeman on the street
There's so many there to meet
[Chorus]
Please, don't be long (Don't be long)
Please, don't you be very long (Don't be long)
Please, don't be long
Or I may be asleep
[Verse 3]
Now, it's past my bed, I know (Know)
And I'd really like to go (Go)
Soon will be the break of day (Day)
Sitting here in Blue Jay Way (Way)
Please, don't be long
Please, don't you be very long
Please, don't be long
Or I may be asleep
Please, don't be long
Please, don't you be very long
Please, don't be long
Please, don't be long
Please, don't you be very long
Please, don't be long
Please, don't be long
Please, don't you be very long
Please, don't be long
[Outro]
Don't be long, don't be long
Don't be long, don't be long
Don't be long, don't be long
Don't be long, don't be long
About
The rhythm track of Blue Jay Way, including the distinctive swirling organ part, was recorded in one take on 6 September 1967. Crucial to the recording was ADT – artificial double tracking, a technique invented by Abbey Road engineer Ken Townsend in 1966 – which on the song gave the phasing effect.
The vocals – many of which were played backwards in the final mix – were recorded the following evening. The final overdubs – cello and tambourine parts – were added on 6 October.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
George Harrison had this to say about “Blue Jay Way”:
Derek Taylor got held up. He rang to say he’d be late. I told him on the phone that the house was in Blue Jay Way. And he said he could find it OK… he could always ask a cop. So I waited and waited. I felt really knackered with the flight, but I didn’t want to go to sleep until he came. There was a fog and it got later and later. To keep myself awake, just as a joke to pass the time while I waited, I wrote a song about waiting for him in Blue Jay Way. There was a little Hammond organ in the corner of this house which I hadn’t noticed until then… so I messed around on it and the song came.
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