The Beatles recorded the vast majority of their catalogue at EMI Studios (later Abbey Road Studios) in London, with roughly 90% of their material captured there, mostly in Studio Two under producer George Martin. However, a small number of tracks were made elsewhere due to scheduling clashes, studio unavailability or the need for equipment EMI couldn't provide, offering an interesting footnote to the band's recording history and explaining why certain famous songs have a different sonic pedigree.

Notable exceptions include German-language vocal sessions and 'Can't Buy Me Love', recorded at EMI Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris in January 1964; 'Fixing a Hole' at Regent Sound Studio; and various 1967 tracks split between De Lane Lea, Chappell Recording Studios and Olympic Studios. In 1968, EMI's delay in providing its new 8-track recorder pushed the band to Trident Studios for songs including 'Hey Jude', 'Dear Prudence' and 'Martha My Dear', while 1969's chaotic Let It Be sessions saw most material recorded at the band's own Apple Studio, including the famous rooftop performance tracks, with only 'Across the Universe' and their final recorded song, 'I Me Mine', made at EMI.