Posts filed under ‘British Invasion’
Tell Me What You See
“Tell Me What You See” first appeared in 1965 on their album Help! in the United Kingdom and on Beatles VI in the United States. As with all Beatles compositions by either of the two, the song is credited to Lennon–McCartney. However, the consensus is that it is entirely Paul McCartney’s work.
My instrumental arrangement preserves much of the feel of the original while adding some additional rhythmic variety.
Every Little Thing
“Every Little Thing” was released by the Beatles on their 1964 album Beatles for Sale. Rather than include the track on the North American version of Beatles for Sale (which was titled Beatles ’65), Capitol Records first issued the song on the June 1965 release Beatles VI.
Credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was written by Paul McCartney, although John Lennon is the more prominent vocalist on the Beatles recording. Another interesting feature of the original is George Harrison’s use of a Rickenbacker 12-string.
My version is basically an instrumental cover of the original.
Another Girl
“Another Girl” was released in 1965 on the album Help! and included in the film. The song was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon–McCartney.
The original version is a rock-country-swing common in Beatles material. My instrumental arrangement is relentless guitar/surf rock.
I Need You
“I Need You” was written by George Harrison and appears in both the film and on the album Help!. The Beatles’ version features Harrison’s first recorded use of a volume pedal, creating the distinctive swells which I reproduce in my instrumental arrangement.
You Like Me Too Much
“You Like Me Too Much” was written by George Harrison. It was released in 1965 on the Help! album in the United Kingdom and on Beatles VI in the United States.
My instrumental arrangement is not a straight cover, though it does certainly recall the feel of the original. My version becomes increasingly surf-y as it proceeds. The instrumental break of the original is used as the coda in my version.
I’m Happy Just to Dance with You
“I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles for the film soundtrack to A Hard Day’s Night.
My instrumental arrangement is based on the original.
I Should Have Known Better
“I Should Have Known Better” was composed by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney), and originally issued on A Hard Day’s Night, their soundtrack for the film of the same name released July 10, 1964. I Should Have Known Better was also issued as the B-side of the U.S. single A Hard Day’s Night released July 13, 1964.
My instrumental version is a bit faster than the original and is also surf-ier. It does preserve the prominent 12-string guitar part.
Misery
“Misery” was released on the Beatles UK album Please Please Me and in the USA on Introducing the Beatles. It was co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
My instrumental version slows the tempo and moves the meter to 12/8 for more of a late 50’s “Sleepwalk” feel.
I’ll Get You
“I’ll Get You” was written by Lennon–McCartney and released by the Beatles as the B-side of their 1963 single “She Loves You”. It was released in August 1963 in the United Kingdom and one month later in the United States. It was released on the Swan Records label in the United States — the only Beatles releases on that label. The British release was on Parlophone.
My instrumental arrangement tracks the original fairly closely except for the whole-step-up modulation for the last verse. It is also shorter.
Not a Second Time
“Not a Second Time” was written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and included on their second British album, With the Beatles.
My instrumental version is not directly taken from the original, but is similar in feel.
Hold Me Tight
“Hold Me Tight“was composed principally by Paul McCartney in 1961, and was part of the Beatles’ stage act until 1963. It was first recorded during the Please Please Me album session, but not selected for inclusion on that release. It was re-recorded and released on their UK second album, With the Beatles. In the USA, it was released on their first Capitol Album, Meet the Beatles.
My instrumental arrangement tracks the original in feel.
Don’t Bother Me
“Don’t Bother Me” is the first song written by George Harrison to appear on a Beatles album, debuting on With the Beatles in the United Kingdom in 1963, and on Meet the Beatles! album in the United States in 1964. The Beatles never performed it live or at any of their BBC sessions, but it did appear in the film A Hard Day’s Night during a scene where the Beatles dance at a nightclub.
My instrumental arrangement is based o the feel of the original.
All I’ve Got to Do
“All I’ve Got to Do” was written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and performed by the Beatles on their second British album, With the Beatles. In the United States, it originally appeared on Meet the Beatles! — their first Capitol records album. It was never released as a single nor was it ever included in a live set.
My instrumental arrangement tracks the original in form and feel.
It Won’t Be Long
“It Won’t Be Long” is the opening track on With the Beatles, the Beatles’ second UK album. Although credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was primarily a John Lennon composition, with Paul McCartney assisting with the lyrics and arrangement. In the US, “It Won’t Be Long” first appeared on Meet the Beatles!, released in January, 1964.
My instrumental arrangement follows the original, but is slower. This actually makes it it easier to hear the numerous rather unconventional — and very imaginative — aspects of the song.
There’s a Place
“There’s a Place” was actually co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (as opposed to being the work of one or the other), and was first released as a track on the Beatles’ debut LP, Please Please Me. In the US it was released on Introducing… The Beatles (Vee-Jay Records) and as the B-side of “Twist and Shout”.
My instrumental arrangement tracks the original.
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