Bright Are The Stars That Shine

The fifth song on the "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack is the third "power ballad" for the Beatles in the sense that the first LP saw the cover tune "A Taste Of Honey" whereby the second LP saw another cover tune entitled "Till There Was You" and finally this LP which featured an original Lennon/McCartney (mainly Paul) tune entitled "And I Love Her".

"And I Love Her" was not only the third in a trilogy of now-called "power ballads" on the records, but all three feature a McCartney vocal. No wonder that McCartney was gaining a reputation for being more of a balladeer than a rocker. This thinking would contiue to years and years during and after the Beatles short career. Even today, Lennon is considered more "edgy" than McCartney and the latter is known for writing and performing "Silly Love Songs". Of course, this is totally false as McCartney could be a tough rocking songwriter while Lennon could write tender ballads with the best of them. Think of this: "Long Tall Sally", "Helter Skelter", "Back in the USSR", etc. - all mainly McCartney. "If I Fell", "This Boy", "Yes It Is", "Julia", "Goodnight", etc. - all mainly Lennon.

"And I Love Her" started life on February 25 1964 in studio two. The recording took place on a Tuesday and was recorded in the afternoon. At this stage, rather than being an acoustic number, the song used electric guitars and drums. There were two attempts at the song, with the second attempt (named take two) being featured on the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 1" compilation. The Beatles were not happy with these attempts and they tried again the next day February 26 1964 always in Studio Two. This time 16(!!) takes were attempted and once again the sound was not quite right although it had been decided this day to have Ringo play percussion rather than the drum kit. Finally, the third attempt at the song and the one we all know and love was recorded the next day on February 27 1964 with two takes and the second take being used as the master. This time the Beatles had played strictly acoustic instrument to great success.

"And I Love Her" was first mixed for mono on Tuesday March 03 1964 yet this mix contained Paul's vocal single tracked with the exception of the title words and the middle eight. This particular first mix was sent to United Artist and Capitol Records on June 09 1964 after a tape copy. The song was re-mixed for mono a second time on June 22 1964 and this mix was used for the UK soundtrack. This time Paul's vocal is double tracked througout the song with the exception of the first "Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky" lyrics. The song was mixed for stereo on the same day as the second mono mix - essentially June 09 1964. Finally, a third stereo mix appeared on the German version of the "Something New" LP. This curiousity actually extended the end of the last bars from four to six. I have no idea why nor does anyone else seem to know.

"And I Love Her" is available on the Parlophone UK LP/CD "A Hard Day's Night" as well as the North American United Artists LP version of "A Hard Day's Night". It is also contained on the North American Capitol US LP/CD "Something New". The song appears on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD "The Beatles 1962-1966" compilation. It is also on the EMI/Capitol 2-LP compilation "Love Songs" as well as the US Capitol version of the LP "Rarities"(which contains the extra musical bars at the end of the tune). The song is also on the EMI/Capitol LP: "Reel Music" and finally is available as take 2 from the February 25 session on the Apple 3-LP/2-CD "Anthology 1".

The scene in the film where the song is performed is definitely one of the highlights of the movie. The advent of music video was a far away idea, but the lighting and direction of this movie preceeds these advances nicely indeed!

"And I Love Her" was performed once for BBC radio on an episode of "Top Gear".

A Quick Rant about "Beatlology" Magazine.

A little bit of a deviation from the usual today, folks. I have something that I'd like to get off my chest, so to speak.
About 12 years ago or so, there was a magazine that introduced itself as a collector's magazine about the Beatles which would discuss various LPs and memorabilia related to the Fabs. The magazine was entitled "Beatlology" and was produced in Toronto. I immediately signed up and sent my subscription and noticed that the crew from the magazine would attend Beatlefests and Beatles gatherings and things like that to promote the magazine. I received the first issue and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the articles as well as the format. It was full colour and was very well done for the time. Articles included such Beatles "experts" as Bruce Spizer, Jeff Levy, etc. Yours truly also contributed with an article or two and a book review. Over the years, the magazine gained somewhat of a positive acceptance and was featured in a lot of Beatles books as one of the better publications.
Now...three years or so ago, the issues started to get thinner and thinner. I don't think it's the fact that there were less articles and news to write about, but the publisher (Mr. Andrew Croft) started to let the issue release lapse. What would happen is that the issues started to get later and later past deadline and a lot of subscibers would write in the Beatles newsgroups wanting to know why this once-prestigious magazine had fallen by the way side. Mr. Croft would respond to the newsgroups (Beatles fans, subscribers) that he had other priorities and how it was difficult to keep up with magazine due to his family, commitments, job, etc. Eventually, the complaints got to a point where Mr. Croft simply left the newsgroups due to the fact that a lot of people were getting annoyed at the excuses and wondered why their annual subscriptions were not being honoured.
The magazine started to suffer. There were less pages, the Beatles news was old - in fact sometimes months old due to the fact that the issues were not delivered on time. Subscribers started to get two thin issues packaged together rather than the standard issue due to the tardiness and overall "rush job" of the newer issues.
Finally, I received my last copy on or about October 2008. After that.....nothing.
The "Beatlology" web site is still available but it has not been updated for over a year. I subscibed for the last time about two months ago (Sept. 2009) as I thought maybe I forgot to subscribe last year. The money I had sent through paypal ( 46 dollars US ) was quickly taken two days later. I said to myself "Good. Now my back issues should arrive". Nothing.
There were emails on various egroups wondering where the magazine issues were. I started to get worried. I emailed their order department and I have not received one word from them. Incredible!!!!!
I guess there is no problem taking my hard earned money but not delivering the service. In fact, there has been no word from Mr. Andrew Croft about any plans for Beatlology or if it is even up and running. Shame !!! The least he could do is take down the website and refund the money owed or produce back issues for those of us who have subscribed and supported the magazine for all these years.
OK. There you go. I'm done. Now back to our regular scheduled program.

Before This Dance Is Through, I Think I'll Love You Too.

The third song from the third LP from the first soundtrack album is a Lennon/McCartney song given to George Harrison to sing entitled "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You". This tune is featured in the film "A Hard Day's Night" while the Beatles are in the fake studio and George is highlighted with his bandmates playing their instruments.
"I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" was recorded on Sunday March 01 1964 at EMI Studio Two. There were four takes, the first two being the backing track, the third being a breakdown and the last one adding the double tracked vocals and featuring Ringo playing an extra tom for the accents. John and Paul are featured on the background vocals.

The song was mixed for mono two days later on March 03 1964 in studio one. On June 09 1964, "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" was taped copied for both Capitol Records and for United Artists. Finally, the song was mixed for stereo on Monday June 22 1964.

"I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" was released as a single by Capitol Records on July 20 1964. The song is also available on the Parlophone UK LP/CD "A Hard Day's Night" as well as the Capitol North American LP/CD "Something New".

"I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" was performed live only once for the BBC on "From Us to You".

Love is More Than Just Holding Hands.

The next song from the third Beatles Parlophone UK LP and the first movie soundtrack is a ditty entitled "If I Fell". This great tune is a Lennon/McCartney original and although mainly written by John, a true lesson in harmony as both John and Paul share most of the lead vocal work. This ballad is probably one of my favourite Lennon love songs and the changes in key and the texture of the work is truly amazing. A definite highlight of the album.

"If I Fell" was recorded on Thursday February 27 1964 in EMI Studio two. The recording took fifteen takes to complete. Both John and Paul sang at the same time and at the same mike for this vocal (although there was double-tracking added on ). Mono mixing of "If I Fell" was done on March 03 1964 for EMI and also for United Artists. The mono mix was made in Studio one. A tape copy of the mono mix for the song was done on June 09 1964 from studio three and given to United Artists for the film. "If I Fell" was finally mixed for stereo on June 22 1964 for the "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack LP.

There are differences in mixes for this particular song. In the mono mix, John's voice is single tracked for the introduction (before the drums come in). For the stereo mix, John's voice is double tracked. Also...in the mono mix during the second middle eight, Paul's harmony to the words "was in vain" is sung and the note is held along with John's note. In the stereo mix during the second middle eight, Paul's Harmony to the words "was in vain" is shortened due to Paul's voice straining and breaking up.

"If I Fell" was released as a single in the North American market by Capitol Records with the flip side being "And I Love Her". Two ballads on one single. It has a beautiful blue picture sleeve which is shown above.

"If I Fell" is also available on the Parlophone UK LP/CD "A Hard Day's Night" as well as the North American United Artists soundtrack LP "A Hard Day's Night". It is also on the Capitol LP/CD "Something New". "If I Fell" can also be found on the EMI/Capitol double LP "Love Songs". This tune was performed live in concert during the 1964 North American tour and a version of this live performance can be heard on the EMI/Capitol LP "The Beatles Live At the Hollywood Bowl".

"If I Fell" was performed twice for BBC radio. The first time was on "Top Gear" and the second time was on "From Us To You".

If This Is Love You Gotta Give Me More.

The second song on the "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack is another Lennon/McCartney original entitled "I Should Have Known Better" which is sung and mainly written by John. The song is featured in the movie when the Beatles are holed up in a cargo cage of a train. Also in the scene is a certain Miss Patti Boyd who would later become George Harrison's wife.

The first attempt to record the song was on Tuesday February 25 1964 (George Harrison's 21st birthday, by the way). There were three takes taped at that session, but they remained unsatisfactory and the tune was left for the next session. This happened to be the next day on February 26 1964 when "I Should Have Known Better" was completed at take 22. The distinct harmonica and the double-tracked vocals were overdubbed at the same session.

"I Should have Known Better" was mixed for mono on March 03 1964. A tape copy of the current mono mix was given to United Artists (for the soundtrack) and Capitol (for the single) on June 09 1964. Finally, a stereo mix was completed in Studio One on June 22 1964. Initially, there was a gap in the harmonica intro on the stereo mix that was not apparent on the mono mix. This was later fixed by the time the LP "Reel Music" was released in 1982. The gap in the harmonica was once again present by the time the remastered stereo version of "A Hard Day's Night" was released in 2009 !

"I Should Have Known Better" is available on the Parlophone UK LP/CD "A Hard Day's Night", the United Artists US soundtrack LP "A Hard Day's Night", also on the Apple US LP: "Hey Jude/The Beatles Again" and on the EMI/Capitol LP "Reel Music". This song was the B-side to "A Hard Day's Night" in North America only.

"I Should Have Known Better" was performed twice on BBC radio. Once on "Top Gear" and once on "From Us to You".

Working Like A Dog.

"A Hard Day's Night" is the first song on the third UK Parlophone LP. As well as being the title of the first movie, it's also the title track and was released worldwide as a single. "A Hard Day's Night" being the obvious A-side of said single. The Beatles needed a title for the movie and one of Ringo's word play phrases "Hard Day's Night" was adapted for the movie. The song was written mainly by John and is a Lennon/McCartney composition. John sings the verses and Paul sings the middle eight. The first chord that rings out and grabs everyone's attention is played on George's newly acquired twelve string Rickenbaker, a piano and a bass note. The chord is a Gsus7/9. "Hard Day's night" was also used in one of John Lennon's poems written for his first book: "In His own Write". The song was literally written overnight once the phrase was established as being the title.

"A Hard Day's Night" was recorded in one session and it took nine takes to perfect. Five of the takes were complete run-throughs. The song was recorded on Thursday April 16 1964 at EMI Studio two between ten in the morning and one in the afternoon. Four days later on April 20, rough mono and stereo mixes were made in studio two and the mixes were taken away by United Artists for the film. "A Hard Day's Night" was once again mixed for mono three days later on April 23 1964 and this time it was mixed for the soundtrack record itself. Another mono mix for United Artists (this time to insert in the film) was done in studio three on June 09 1964 and this mix featured an artificial extended ending. Finally, "A Hard Day's Night" was mixed for stereo (record) two and a half weeks before release on June 22 1964 from studio one.

"A Hard Day's Night" was played many times in concert by The Beatles including the 1964 North American Tour, the 1964 Christmas shows in London, as well as the 1965 European and North American Tours. Many live bootlegs contain the song and a performance from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is available on the EMI/Capitol LP: "The Beatles Live at The Hollywood Bowl".

The commercial version is available on the Parlophone UK LP/CD "A Hard Day's Night", also the North American version of the United Artists' film soundtrack LP: "A Hard Day's Night". It is also found on the Parlophone UK LP "A Collection of Beatles Oldies" as well as the Apple 2-LP/2-CD: "The Beatles 1962-1966", the song is also available on the EMI and Capitol version of the LP "20 Greatest Hits", and finally the Apple 2-LP, CD "1".

The Beatles performed "A Hard Day's Night" twice on BBC radio: the first time on "Top Gear" and the second time on "From Us to You". It was also released in this form on the Apple 2-LP/2-CD: "Live at the BBC".

A Hard Day's Night

"A Hard Day's Night" was the Beatles third LP to be released on Parlophone by EMI in the UK. It was also the first soundtrack to the first (and arguably the best) Beatles full length motion picture. It was and remains the only UK LP to feature all original material whereby the songs were written exclusively by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

The sessions for the LP were started as early as January 1964 and continued well into June 1964. Most of the recordings were done in early March, mid to late April, one session in May and a few in early June. Of course, during the recording of the third LP and first movie soundtrack, The Beatles also played the USA, filmed the movie, performed for various BBC radio shows, did television appearances, tons of interviews were conducted and they were also recording their latest EP which was previously reviewed in earlier posts.

The "A Hard Day's Night" LP was released on Friday July 10 1964 as Parlophone PMC 1230 (monuaral) and PCS 3058 (stereo). Both versions were released on the same day.

In the United States and Canada, the "butchering" of the Beatles' LPs continued. "A Hard Day's Night" was released as a United Artist soundtrack on June 26 1964. The LP was released in both mono UA 6366 and stereo UAS 6366. The weird thing is that only eight songs were actually performed by the Beatles ( four on each side )and four of the tracks ( two on each side )were instrumentals by the George Martin Orchestra. Not only that: the stereo version of the United Artist soundtrack had the Beatles' recordings in mono only - including the so-called "stereo" version of the LP. In fact, the only stereo recordings on the stereo version were the George Martin instrumentals. How Tacky !!

Of course, Beatlemania was in full stride in the States and Capitol Records took full advantage of it. They released their own version of the soundtrack via an LP entitled "Something New". This LP was released on July 20 1964 in mono (T-2108) and stereo (ST-2108). It contained only four tracks from the movie, four tracks from the B side of the UK version, the second side of the "Long Tall Sally" UK EP and the German vocal dubbed "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand". You would have thought they could have also included "Sie Leibt Dich", No? Anyway, typical Capitol Records mis-matching. This atrocious way of released North American counterpart LPs would continue until 1967.

There were two single released from the tracks recorded for the movie soundtrack: In the UK, the first single was "Can't Buy Me Love/ You Can't Do That" which was put out on March 20 1964. The next single was released on the same day as the LP: "A Hard Day's Night/ Things We Said Today". Both singles were on the Parlophone label.

In North America, several singles were released by Capitol records which contained tunes recorded for the movie soundtrack: "Can't Buy Me Love/ You Can't Do That" was put out on March 16 1964, "A Hard Day's Night/ I Should Have Known Better" was put out on July 13 1964, "I'll Cry Instead/ I'm Happy Just to Dance With You" was put out on July 20 1964, "And I Love Her/ If I Fell" which was also put out on July 20 1964. All three of these soundtrack singles boast very beautiful picture sleeves which are now very collectible.

Needless to say, the LP in all configurations hit number 01 all over the world.

We'll be looking at each individual track in the next few posts.