I'll Be Back
By:
The Beatles
Lyrics:
I'll Be Back Lyrics
Lead vocals:
John Lennon
Songwriter(s):
Lennon/McCartney
First released on:
A Hard Day's Night
U.S. release date:
December 15, 1964
U.K. release date:
July 10, 1964
Length (≈):
2:22
Label:
Parlophone
Produced by:
George Martin
Recording date(s):
June 1, 1964
Recorded at:
Abbey Road Studios (EMI)
Musicians :
- John Lennon – double-tracked vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass, acoustic guitar
- George Harrison – harmony vocal, lead acoustic guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums
I'll Be Back is a strong closer for the second side of the UK release of A Hard Day's Night. It was written to fill out the album, and George Martin chose it for the important final slot. John took the popular 1961 hit Runaway (Del Shannon), which used a characteristic "Flamenco" chord sequence (Am, G, F, E) and inserted a C after the Am. The guitar work of the group reinforced the Spanish flavor of the sound. Originally written in 6/8 time, I'll Be Back was reworked in 4/4 time because Lennon found it too hard to sing otherwise. The shift to acoustic instruments is a hint at what would later be called the Beatles' "middle period" sound. This song is unique in that its structure is not intuitive, like most of the Beatles' work. There are two verses, followed by a half verse. The song has two bridges, but no solo section.
Recording
June 1, 1964 in 16 takes.
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Not sure it was written in 6/8
It's not sure it was written in 6/8 time. Take 2 was in 6/8 and take 3 in 4/4, that's true. Alan W. Pollack suggests that it could have been written in 4/4 but take 2 was a last minut tryout in 6/8 that was abonded afterwards. (http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/AWP/ibb.shtml)
Pollack think the 4/4 is to polished compared to the 6/8 and also Lewisohn remarks on the speed they worked it up in 4/4.
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