The Beatles fans remain hopeful of hearing Carnival of Light two years on from the release of the band’s so-called “final” song.
Though the Grammy Award-winning Now and Then was advertised as the last-ever release from the band, there is still plenty of unreleased material which may be released on anniversary albums. One track which appears in conversation more than most is Carnival of Light, a sound collage offering from Paul McCartney, which the songwriter has wanted to release for some time. But as of this year, the song is no closer to being released. A proposal to include the song on Anthology was vetoed by George Harrison, who deemed it “too boring” to release.
One user recalled: “George Harrison vetoed Carnival of Light appearing on Anthology. It’s a sound collage The Beatles made during Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and has never been released. George said it was ‘too boring’ although McCartney wanted it on Anthology.” But there are hopes of hearing the song yet. Carnival of Light came close to release on a 50th Anniversary edition of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band but, according to Giles Martin, was cut.
He said: “Yes, it was [considered]. As was It’s Only A Northern Song, as well, actually. But it wasn’t really part of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It wasn’t part of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band recording. It’s a very different thing. I hope we can do something interesting with that at some point…but it wasn’t really part of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.”
Fans in the comments of the Super Deluxe Edition article maintain the rest of the band may have vetoed the inclusion of Carnival of Light. One user wrote: “I reckon Carnival Of Light was vetoed again.
“To say Carnival of Light and It’s Only a Northern Song weren’t part of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band doesn’t really work… Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane weren’t part of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band either, but they’re still in this set…
“A final release of Carnival of Light would also shatter its mythical status. Even if Carnival of Light is crap, there’d be no more bullshit about how legendary and epic it is… I also hope there are clean (ie: no reprise bit) versions of the newly mixed A Day In The Life. Wonder if they’ll now do a White Album project like this one?”
Another disagreed, saying the inclusion of Carnival of Light would be a disappointing addition to any compilation released by the band. One person wrote: “In my honest opinion Beatles fans would be very disappointed if Carnival Of Light was included in the set or if it was ever released. There is a reason, that is because it is a load of shite.”
Seems an odd thing. A lot of the outtakes released werent all that great.
They released revolution number 9 and it was horrible. I think it should be released. Sgt pepper was the proper reissue for it to happen on, it was originally made around the same time.
It is sure only a fun recording do e for a special psychedelic event for the Roundhouse, not thought as part of any album. Should be interested and not as bad as things they dared to issue in the White Album
I’m not interested in hearing Carnival of Light. That just seems to be taking advantage of the fact the George is not here to veto it. Why go against his wishes. That would be very disrespectful and un-beatle-like.
Year’s ago they played a couple of minutes of Carnival of light on radio 2 and it was a load of rubbish.