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Michelle

Your rating: None Average: 4.6 (5 votes)
By: 
The Beatles
Lyrics: 
Michelle Lyrics
Lead vocals: 
Paul McCartney
Songwriter(s): 
Lennon/McCartney
First released on: 
Rubber Soul
U.S. release date: 
December 6, 1965
U.K. release date: 
December 3, 1965
Length (≈): 
2:40
Label: 
Capitol
Label: 
Parlophone
Produced by: 
George Martin
Recording date(s): 
November 3, 1965
Recorded at: 
Abbey Road Studios (EMI)
Musicians : 
  • Paul McCartney – vocal, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, bass
  • John Lennon – backing vocal
  • George Harrison – backing vocal
  • Ringo Starr – drums

Michelle is one of the Beatles' most popular ballads, written by Paul McCartney in 1965 and first released on the album, Rubber Soul. In 1967 it won the Grammy for Song of the Year. McCartney originally put together a parody of a French song back in the Liverpool days, which he used to sing at parties. In 1965 Lennon encouraged him to rework it for the album. It has many of the qualities of Yesterday (including being in the key of F major with a lot of F minor influences). Lennon suggested the "I love you" bridge, and producer George Martin composed the lead guitar part. The only Beatles song featuring French, Michelle benefited from a contribution from Ivan Vaughan's wife, a French teacher. Vaughan was a friend of both Paul and John. In fact he introduced them to each other in 1957. His wife suggested the line, "Michelle, ma belle, son les mots qui vont très bien ensemble."

Michelle, my belle

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Recording

November 3, 1965 in one take, with overdubs.

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