Did you know “The Fool on the Hill” was nearly left off Magical Mystery Tour?
Paul McCartney wrote “The Fool on the Hill” during a trip to France in March 1967 — before Sgt. Pepper was even finished!
But when the Beatles recorded it in September, George Martin wasn’t impressed. He reportedly thought the arrangement was weak.
So Paul overdubbed the flute-like recorder part himself!
The track was mostly Paul solo — he played piano, recorder, and even the bass. John and George added some backing vocals, but that’s it.
Ringo? He played drums only on the final take.
For the Magical Mystery Tour film, Paul shot a surreal solo sequence in the Niece, France at dawn — with no camera crew. Just a single cameraman and no permits!
Paul later admitted: “We were nearly arrested — we didn’t know what we were doing!”
Despite initial doubts, it became a fan favorite. Even Lennon later admitted: “It’s a nice song — very McCartney.”
Though never released as a single in the UK or US, it hit #6 in Sweden and became a radio staple.