Dear Prudence

Dear Prudence was written in India by John Lennon. It is about Mia Farrow's younger sister, who was in the meditational retreat at the same time. She was so focused on reaching enlightenment that she did little else but meditate in her room for over three weeks. George and John were appointed to coax her out. The song relates their concerns for her. Dear Prudence was recorded on August 28 through 30, 1968 during the recording sessions for the White Album, and released on November 22, 1968 (UK; November 25 in the US). John sings the lead, and George plays lead guitar. Paul played piano, drums and bass, as well as flugelhorn and tambourine. Ringo was not present during recording, having temporarily walked out. Mal Evens, Jackie Lomar and cousin John McCartney are also give credit for backup vocals and handclaps. Lennon uses a finger picking style on the guitar, learned from Donovan while they were in India at the same time. The track was recorded in the Trident Studios, not Abbey Road, where eight-track facilities were available. Dear Prudence can be found on the Love album in addition to the White Album.