Beatles for Sale is the fourth studio album by the Beatles. It was released on 4 December 1964 in the United Kingdom on EMI’s Parlophone label. The album marked a departure from the upbeat tone that had characterized the Beatles’ previous work, partly due to the band’s exhaustion after a series of tours that had established them as a worldwide phenomenon in 1964. Beatles for Sale was not widely available in the US until 1987, when the Beatles’ catalogue was standardized for release on CD. Instead, eight of the album’s fourteen tracks appeared on Capitol Records’ concurrent release, Beatles ’65, issued in North America only.

The sessions for Beatles for Sale also produced a non-album single, “I Feel Fine” backed by “She’s a Woman“. During the sessions, the band ventured into studio experimentation, such as employing a fade-in and incorporating guitar feedback, and supplemented the basic recordings with percussion instruments such as timpani, African hand drums and chocalho. The album reflects the twin influences of country music and Bob Dylan, whom the Beatles met in New York in August 1964. Partly as a result of the group’s hectic schedule, only eight of the tracks are original compositions, with cover versions of songs by artists such as Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Little Richard being used to complete the album. The original songs introduced darker musical moods and more introspective lyrics, with John Lennon adopting an autobiographical perspective in “I’m a Loser” and “No Reply“.

Beatles for Sale received good reviews in the UK musical press, where it held the number one spot for 11 of the 46 weeks that it spent in the top 20. The album was similarly successful in Australia, where the band’s cover of Berry’s “Rock and Roll Music” also topped the singles chart. One of the songs omitted from the US version of the album, “Eight Days a Week”, became the Beatles’ seventh number one in the US when issued as a single there in February 1965. In 2000, it was voted number 204 in the third edition of Colin Larkin’s book All Time Top 1000 Albums.

• Release date: December 4, 1964
• Genres: Rock, Pop music, Rock and roll, Pop rock, Country music, Folk rock, Country rock
• Label: Parlophone

Beatles For Sale tracklist

SIDE A

1. No Reply
   (Lennon/McCartney)
2. I’m A Loser
   (Lennon/McCartney)
3. Baby’s in Black
   (Lennon/McCartney)
4. Rock And Roll Music
   (Berry)
5. I’ll Follow The Sun
   (Lennon/McCartney)
6. Mr Moonlight
   (Johnson)
7. Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey!
   (Leiber/Stoller/Penniman)

SIDE B

1. Eight Days A Week
   (Lennon/McCartney)
2. Words Of Love
   (Holly)
3. Honey Don’t
   (Perkins)
4. Every Little Thing
   (Lennon/McCartney)
5. I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party
   (Lennon/McCartney)
6. What You’re Doing
   (Lennon/McCartney)
7. Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
   (Carl Perkins)

A Hard Day’s Night is the third studio album by the Beatles, released on 10 July 1964 by Parlophone, with side one containing songs from the soundtrack to their film of the same name. The American version of the album was released two weeks earlier, on 26 June 1964 by United Artists Records, with a different track listing that included selections from George Martin’s film score. In contrast to the Beatles’ first two albums, all 13 tracks on A Hard Day’s Night were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, showcasing the development of their songwriting partnership.

The album includes the song “A Hard Day’s Night“, with its distinctive opening chord, and “Can’t Buy Me Love“, both transatlantic number-one singles for the band. Several of the songs feature George Harrison playing a Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar, a sound that was influential on the Byrds and other groups in the folk rock/jangle pop movement.

• Release date: July 10, 1964
• Genres: Rock, Pop music, Pop rock, Beat music
• Label: United Artists Records

A Hard Day’s Night tracklist

SIDE A

1. A Hard Day’s Night
   (Lennon/McCartney)
2. I Should Have Known Better
   (Lennon/McCartney)
3. If I Fell
   (Lennon/McCartney)
4. I’m Happy Just To Dance With You
   (Lennon/McCartney)
5. And I Love Her
   (Lennon/McCartney)
6. Tell Me Why
   (Lennon/McCartney)
7. Can’t Buy Me Love
   (Lennon/McCartney)

SIDE B

1. Any Time At All
   (Lennon/McCartney)
2. I’ll Cry Instead
   (Lennon/McCartney)
3. Things We Said Today
   (Lennon/McCartney)
4. When I Get Home
   (Lennon/McCartney)
5. You Can’t Do That
   (Lennon/McCartney)
6. I’ll Be Back
   (Lennon/McCartney)

• Published on 1964
• Author: Buddy Holly
• Track 9 on “Beatles For Sale“

About “Words of Love”

The Beatles recorded a cover version of the song on October 18, 1964 for the UK album Beatles for Sale. It first appeared in the U.S. on the album Beatles VI. It was also on a 7-inch extended play, Beatles for Sale No. 2, released by Parlophone/EMI in 1965.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were fans of Holly, sang in harmony with George Harrison, holding to the vocal and instrumental sound of Holly’s original as well as they could.

Before their big break, the group had performed the song live between 1958 and 1962, with Lennon and Harrison singing. For the official release, though, Lennon and McCartney shared vocal duties. The song only took two takes, along with a vocal overdub.

Ringo Starr played a packing case on this song instead of drums, to achieve a similar sound to Holly’s “Every Day”.

Meaning of “Words of Love”

The lyrics of “Words of Love” express the simple yet profound sentiment of love. The narrator emphasizes the power and significance of spoken words of affection and endearment. The song conveys a feeling of warmth, intimacy, and a desire to express love openly.

“Words of Love” is a heartfelt ode to the importance of verbal expressions of love, set to a sweet and melodic tune. The Beatles’ rendition of this Buddy Holly song adds their distinctive touch to the timeless theme of affection and connection.

Personnel

• John Lennon – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Paul McCartney – lead vocals, bass
• George Harrison – harmony vocals, double-tracked lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums, packing case

Personnel according to Ian MacDonald

• Published on 1964
• Author: Johnson
• Track 6 on “Beatles For Sale“

About “Mr. Moonlight”

The first known recording of the song was by blues pianist Piano Red, recording as “Dr. Feelgood and the Interns”. It was released as a b-side of a minor rhythm & blues hit single (titled “Dr. Feelgood”) in 1962.

The record became something of a cult favorite among several young British R&B enthusiasts, some of whom would soon go on to become members of well-known bands. The Beatles covered the song in their live act years before it appeared on record; another emerging Beat group, The Hollies, recorded and released their own performance of the same song nearly simultaneously with The Beatles’ version.

The Beatles’ recording of the song remains the most well-known version, featuring a rough lead vocal by John Lennon, classic Beatle harmonies, and a rolling organ solo. Despite this, it is cited by a few as possibly the worst song The Beatles ever recorded.

Meaning of “Mr. Moonlight”

The lyrics of “Mr. Moonlight” are about a person who is seeking solace and advice from the moonlight. The narrator turns to the moon as a source of comfort and companionship, suggesting a sense of loneliness or heartbreak. The moon is personified as “Mr. Moonlight,” portraying it as a figure with whom the narrator can share their troubles.

Despite its catchy melody, “Mr. Moonlight” is often considered one of the less successful tracks in The Beatles’ catalog. The song’s somewhat unusual theme and lyrics have been subject to some criticism, and it’s not as well-known or frequently discussed as many of their other songs.

“Mr. Moonlight” is a somewhat obscure entry in The Beatles’ discography, known more to dedicated fans than to casual listeners.

Personnel

• John Lennon – vocal, rhythm guitar.
• Paul McCartney – harmony vocals, bass, Hammond organ.
• George Harrison – harmony vocals, lead guitar, African drum.
• Ringo Starr – conga.

• Published on 1964
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 7 on “A Hard Day’s Night“
• Track 7 on “1962 ‐ 1966 (Red Album)“

JOHN 1972: “John and Paul, but mainly Paul.”

JOHN 1980: “That’s Paul completely. Maybe I had something to do with the chorus, but I don’t know. I always considered it his song.”

PAUL 1984: “We recorded it in France, as I recall. Went over to the Odeon in Paris. Recorded it over there. Felt proud because Ella Fitzgerald recorded it, too, though we didn’t realize what it meant that she was doing it.”

PAUL circa-1994: “‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ is my attempt to write a bluesy mode. The idea behind it was that all these material possessions are all very well but they won’t buy me what I really want.”

About “Can’t Buy Me Love”

“Can’t Buy Me Love” was released in March 1964 as the A-side of their sixth single. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The song was included on the group’s album A Hard Day’s Night and was featured in a scene in Richard Lester’s film of the same title. The single topped charts in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Sweden. In the UK, it was the fourth highest selling single of the 1960s.

While in Paris, the Beatles stayed at the five-star George V hotel and had an upright piano moved into one of their suites so that songwriting could continue. It was here that McCartney wrote “Can’t Buy Me Love”. The song was written under the pressure of the success achieved by “I Want to Hold Your Hand“, which had just reached number one in America.

When producer George Martin first heard “Can’t Buy Me Love”, he felt that the song needed changing: “I thought that we really needed a tag for the song’s ending, and a tag for the beginning; a kind of intro. So I took the first two lines of the chorus and changed the ending, and said ‘Let’s just have these lines, and by altering the second phrase we can get back into the verse pretty quickly.’” And they said: “That’s not a bad idea, we’ll do it that way”. The song’s verse is a twelve-bar blues in structure, a formula that the Beatles seldom applied to their own material.

Meaning of “Can’t Buy Me Love”

The lyrics of “Can’t Buy Me Love” convey a message about the value of true love and human connection over material possessions. The song essentially asserts that money and wealth cannot buy genuine affection or happiness. It’s a declaration that the most important things in life are beyond monetary measure.

The chorus, “Can’t buy me love, oh / Can’t buy me love, oh / Can’t buy me love, oh / I’ll buy you a diamond ring, my friend, if it makes you feel all right,” juxtaposes the idea of material offerings with the notion that love itself cannot be purchased.

The song’s message is one of prioritizing authentic human connections and experiences over material wealth.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – double-tracked vocal, bass
• John Lennon – acoustic rhythm guitar
• George Harrison – double-tracked lead guitar, twelve-string guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums

How to play “Can’t Buy Me Love” on guitar

“Can’t Buy Me Love” features a distinctive guitar riff that is one of the song’s most recognizable elements. The riff is played on a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar by George Harrison. It is a prominent and catchy musical motif that repeats throughout the song. It is characterized by its bright and jangly tone, which is characteristic of the 12-string guitar. It provides a lively and upbeat feel that complements the song’s lyrics about the importance of love over material wealth.

In addition to the riff, there are also rhythm guitar parts that provide a solid foundation for the song. These rhythm guitar parts help drive the tempo and provide a sense of groove. The guitar work in “Can’t Buy Me Love” is a key element that contributes to the song’s infectious and memorable sound. George Harrison’s playing, along with the rest of the band’s tight musicianship, is a testament to their musical prowess.

The following video features tab of rhythm and lead guitar of “Can’t Buy Me Love”:

How to play “Can’t Buy Me Love” on bass

In “Can’t Buy Me Love” by the Beatles, Paul McCartney’s bass playing is dynamic and integral to the song’s overall groove and energy. McCartney’s bassline in “Can’t Buy Me Love” is characterized by its driving and melodic nature. It features a bouncy rhythm that complements the upbeat tempo of the song. The bassline also incorporates melodic runs and fills that add musicality and depth to the overall arrangement.

One of the notable features of McCartney’s bass playing in this song is its syncopated feel. He often accents off-beats, which adds a lively and danceable quality to the music. This syncopation creates a sense of movement and contributes to the song’s infectious rhythm. McCartney’s bass playing in “Can’t Buy Me Love” is a prime example of his skill as a bassist and his ability to craft memorable and inventive basslines. It plays a crucial role in shaping the song’s sound and is an important element in the Beatles’ iconic musical style.

The following video features the bassline tab of “Can’t Buy Me Love”:

“Can’t Buy Me Love” karaoke

For those who want to try singing “Can’t Buy Me Love” the following video features the karaoke version of the song:

• Published on 1964
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 1 on “A Hard Day’s Night“
• Track 8 on “1962 ‐ 1966 (Red Album)“

The Beatles’ quotes about “A Hard Day’s Night”

RINGO 1964: “We went to do a job, and we’d worked all day and we happened to work all night. I came up still thinking it was day I suppose, and I said, ‘It’s been a hard day…’ and I looked around and saw it was dark so I said, ‘…night!’ So we came to ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’”

JOHN 1980: “I was going home in the car and Dick Lester suggested the title, ‘Hard Day’s Night’ from something Ringo had said. I had used it in ‘In His Own Write,’ but it was an off-the-cuff remark by Ringo. You know, one of those malapropisms. A Ringo-ism, where he said it not to be funny… just said it. So Dick Lester said, ‘We are going to use that title.’ And the next morning I brought in the song… ‘cuz there was a little competition between Paul and I as to who got the A-side– who got the hits. If you notice, in the early days the majority of singles, in the movies and everything, were mine… in the early period I’m dominating the group. The only reason he sang on ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ was because I couldn’t reach the notes. (sings) ‘When I’m home/ everything seems to be right/ when I’m home…’ –which is what we’d do sometimes. One of us couldn’t reach a note but he wanted a different sound, so he’d get the other to do the harmony.”

PAUL circa-1994: “The title was Ringo’s. We’d almost finished making the film, and this fun bit arrived that we’d not known about before, which was naming the film. So we were sitting around at Twickenham studios having a little brain-storming session… and we said, ‘Well, there was something Ringo said the other day.’ Ringo would do these little malapropisms, he would say things slightly wrong, like people do, but his were always wonderful, very lyrical… they were sort of magic even though he was just getting it wrong. And he said after a concert, ‘Phew, it’s been a hard day’s night.’”

About “A Hard Day’s Night”

“A Hard Day’s Night” was released as the title track of The Beatles’ third studio album in 1964. It’s known for its distinctive opening chord, played on George Harrison’s 12-string Rickenbacker guitar. The song was written by John Lennon and credited to the songwriting duo Lennon-McCartney. It was also released as a single in the UK (with “Things We Said Today” as its B-side), and in the US (with “I Should Have Known Better” as its B-side.)

The song opens with a famous chord that has been the subject of much discussion and analysis. It’s often referred to as the “G7sus4” chord. The rest of the song follows a classic chord progression. John Lennon takes the lead vocals in the song, with Paul McCartney and George Harrison providing harmonies. The vocal delivery is energetic and captures the youthful exuberance of The Beatles.

“A Hard Day’s Night” features the distinctive 12-string Rickenbacker guitar played by George Harrison, providing a jangly sound. Paul McCartney’s melodic bassline and Ringo Starr’s solid drumming contribute to the overall musical texture. The lyrics of “A Hard Day’s Night” were inspired by a remark made by Ringo Starr. The phrase “a hard day’s night” was a Ringoism, a term used by the band to describe his unintentional wordplay. The lyrics capture the fatigue and relief after a day’s work.

The success of the song led to the use of its title for both the Beatles’ first feature film, released in 1964, and their third studio album. The film is a musical comedy featuring the band’s music and was well-received by both critics and fans. “A Hard Day’s Night” is widely considered one of The Beatles’ classics and is often celebrated for its innovation and influence on the pop and rock music of the time. It marked a turning point in the band’s sound as they began to explore more complex musical arrangements and experiment with different instruments.

The phrase “A Hard Day’s Night” was actually coined by Ringo Starr, who used it to describe the exhaustion and fatigue that came from their demanding schedule of recording and performing. The lyrics talk about the feeling of working hard all day and then looking forward to spending the night with a lover. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and anticipation, and the upbeat tempo and energetic melody capture the excitement and youthful enthusiasm that characterized much of the Beatles’ early music.

“A Hard Day’s Night” is often interpreted as a celebration of youthful vigor and the joy of being in love, while also acknowledging the challenges and demands of their hectic lifestyle as one of the most popular and successful bands in the world at that time.

Personnel

• John Lennon – double-tracked vocals (verses), electric and acoustic rhythm guitars
• Paul McCartney – double-tracked vocals (middle-eight), harmony vocal, bass
• George Harrison – lead electric twelve-string guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums, bongos, cowbell
• George Martin – piano, producer

How to play “A Hard Day’s Night” on guitar

The guitar work in “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles is distinctive and iconic. The song features a prominent and instantly recognizable opening chord played by George Harrison on his 12-string Rickenbacker guitar. The chord is often referred to as the “G7sus4” or “G suspended 4” chord, and its exact formation has been the subject of much discussion among musicians and Beatles fans.

The rest of the guitar work in the song includes a combination of strumming and arpeggios, contributing to the lively and energetic feel of the track. The guitar parts, played by both George Harrison and John Lennon, are integral to the overall sound of “A Hard Day’s Night” and helped define the signature sound of The Beatles during that period. The use of the 12-string guitar, in particular, gives the song a jangly and distinctive quality that set it apart from other contemporary rock and pop songs.

The following video shows how to play “A Hard Day’s Night” on acoustic and electric guitar. Two parts concern the rhythm guitar, one acoustic and one electric, and a third which is the solo together with the final arpeggio:

How to play “A Hard Day’s Night” on bass

McCartney’s bass line in this song is notable for its melodic and rhythmic qualities. Instead of simply providing a foundational rhythm, McCartney’s bass part in “A Hard Day’s Night” is more melodic and dynamic, contributing to the overall musicality of the track.

The bass line follows the chord progression of the song but includes distinctive runs and fills that add a sense of movement and excitement. McCartney’s approach to the bass in many Beatles songs was innovative for its time, and it played a crucial role in shaping the band’s sound.

The bass in “A Hard Day’s Night” is a key element in the song’s composition, blending with the guitars and other instruments to create the distinctive sound that became synonymous with The Beatles during the 1960s.

The following video shows how to play the bass parts of “A Hard Day’s Night” with tabs:

Opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night”

The opening chord of the song is famously known as the “A Hard Day’s Night” chord. It’s a unique and debated chord due to its complex and dissonant sound. It’s actually a combination of several guitars and a piano playing different chords simultaneously. The exact composition of this chord is still a subject of discussion among musicians and scholars. This video shows how to play it on different instruments.

“A Hard Day’s Night” karaoke

Here’s a great Karaoke version of “A Hard Day’s Night”

• Lyrics of “A Hard Day’s Night”

• Published on 1964
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 11 on “Beatles For Sale“

JOHN 1980: “‘Every Little Thing’ is his song. Maybe I threw in something.”

PAUL circa-1994: “‘Every Little Thing,’ like most of the stuff I did, was my attempt at the next single… but it became an album filler rather than the great almighty single. It didn’t have quite what was required.”

About “Every Little Thing”

Credited to Lennon–McCartney, it was written by Paul McCartney. Capitol Records first issued the song in the US on Beatles VI in June 1965. The track is an early example of the Beatles’ use of non-rock instrumentation on a recording, through the addition of timpani drum over the choruses.

Recalling the song’s creation in his authorised biography, Many Years from Now (1997), McCartney says he wrote “Every Little Thing” in the music room at the London home of his then-girlfriend Jane Asher, where he was living at the time. Other sources, citing a 1964 interview with McCartney, place the song’s origins at Atlantic City in the United States, where the Beatles stopped over in late August that same year during their US tour. In 1980, John Lennon told Playboy magazine that McCartney wrote the song, although he himself might have “[thrown] something in”. Author John Winn concludes that McCartney began the composition in London and finished it with Lennon in Atlantic City.

“Every Little Thing” is a rare example of a Lennon–McCartney song in which one member of the partnership was primary composer (here McCartney) but the other sang lead vocal (here Lennon). McCartney sings in unison with Lennon on the verses, but Lennon’s vocal is more prominent. McCartney sings the high harmony on the chorus.

Meaning of “Every Little Thing”

The lyrics of “Every Little Thing” express a sentiment of deep affection and devotion. The narrator is in love and finds beauty and significance in every small detail and moment shared with their beloved. It’s a song that celebrates the little things that make a relationship special.

“Every Little Thing” is a tender and heartfelt love song, reflecting the joy and contentment that can be found in cherishing the small moments in a relationship. It remains one of the many beloved tracks in The Beatles’ extensive catalog.

Personnel

• John Lennon – double-tracked lead vocal, acoustic guitar
• Paul McCartney – vocal harmony, bass, piano
• George Harrison – double-tracked lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums, timpani

• Published on 1964
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 13 on “A Hard Day’s Night“

JOHN 1972: “A nice tune, though the middle is a bit tatty.”

JOHN 1980: “‘I’ll Be Back’ is me completely. My variation of the chords in a Del Shannon song.”

PAUL circa-1994: “‘I’ll Be Back’ was co-written, but it was largely John’s idea.”

About “I’ll Be Back”

“I’ll Be Back” was recorded for the soundtrack album to their film “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) but not used in the film. This song was not released in North America until Beatles ’65 five months later.

According to musicologist Ian MacDonald, Lennon created the song based on the chords of Del Shannon’s “Runaway” which had been a UK hit in April 1961. Author Bill Harry also wrote: “He just reworked the chords of the Shannon number and came up with a completely different song”.

Producer George Martin preferred to open and close Beatles albums using dominant material stating: “Another principle of mine when assembling an album was always to go out on a side strongly, placing the weaker material towards the end but then going out with a bang”.

Ian MacDonald points out however: “Fading away in tonal ambiguity at the end of A Hard Day’s Night, it was a surprisingly downbeat farewell and a token of coming maturity”. Music journalist Robert Sandall wrote in Mojo magazine: “‘I’ll Be Back’ was the early Beatles at their most prophetic. This grasp of how to colour arrangements in darker or more muted tones foreshadowed an inner journey they eventually undertook in three albums’ time, on Rubber Soul”

Meaning of “I’ll Be Back”

The lyrics of “I’ll Be Back” convey a mixture of longing, uncertainty, and a promise of return. The narrator acknowledges that they’re leaving, but reassures their partner that they will eventually come back. There’s a sense of conflicted emotions, as the narrator is torn between the desire to leave and the love they feel for their partner.

Lines like “You know, if you break my heart, I’ll go” and “I’ll be back again” express the narrator’s vulnerability and the complexity of their feelings.

“I’ll Be Back” is a song that captures the bittersweet nature of leaving a loved one while promising to return. It touches on themes of love, separation, and the hope for future reunion. It’s a poignant reflection on the complexities of romantic relationships.

Personnel

• John Lennon – double-tracked vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar
• Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass
• George Harrison – harmony vocal, classical acoustic guitar, acoustic guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums

• Published on 1964
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 5 on “Beatles For Sale“

JOHN 1972: “A nice one.”

JOHN 1980: “That’s Paul again. Can’t you tell? I mean– ‘Tomorrow may rain so/ I’ll follow the sun.’ That’s another early McCartney, you know… written almost before the Beatles, I think. He had alot of stuff.”

PAUL 1988: “I wrote that in my front parlour in Forthlin Road. I was about 16. There was a few from then– ‘Thinking Of Linking,’ ever heard of that one? So ‘I’ll Follow The Sun’ was one of those very early ones. I seem to remember writing it just after I’d had the flu… I remember standing in the parlour looking out through lace curtains of the window and writing that one. We had this hard R&B image in Liverpool, so I think songs like ‘I’ll Follow The Sun,’ ballads like that, got pushed back to later.”

About “I’ll Follow the Sun”

“I’ll Follow the Sun” is a ballad written and sung by Paul McCartney. It was released in 1964 on the Beatles for Sale album in the United Kingdom and on Beatles ’65 in the United States. The band played the song on the BBC program Top Gear, and the track was released on On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2 in 2013.

The song was released as a mono extended play 45 in 1964 on Parlophone/EMI (and in 1995 as a B-side to “Baby It’s You“). In Sweden, it reached number one on the Tio i Topp chart in July and also peaked at number four on Sweden’s Kvällstoppen Chart.

Meaning of “I’ll Follow the Sun”

The lyrics of “I’ll Follow the Sun” convey a sense of longing and dedication. The narrator is expressing a willingness to go wherever love takes him, even if it means leaving behind familiar places and people. The sun is used metaphorically to represent the direction that love leads, and the narrator is prepared to follow it without hesitation.

The song’s tone is somewhat melancholic, as it reflects on the uncertainty and impermanence of love. The narrator understands that love can sometimes be transient, but he is committed to following it nonetheless.

“I’ll Follow the Sun” is a beautifully written and heartfelt ballad that showcases Paul McCartney’s talent for crafting emotionally resonant songs. It remains one of The Beatles’ beloved and enduring tracks.

Personnel

• Paul McCartney – lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar
• John Lennon – harmony vocal
• George Harrison – electric rhythm guitar, guitar solo
• Ringo Starr – percussion

• Published on 1964
• Author: Lennon/McCartney
• Track 11 on “A Hard Day’s Night“

JOHN 1980: “That’s me again… another Wilson Pickett, Motown sound… a four-in-the-bar cowbell song.”

About “When I Get Home”

“When I Get Home” is a song written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney), and recorded by the English rock band the Beatles on 2 June 1964, during the last session for their third studio album A Hard Day’s Night (1964). Its first US release was on the Something New LP.

Influenced somewhat by the Shirelles, “When I Get Home” is essentially a rock and roll number, but with unusual chord progressions. Lennon liked this particular ploy, and used it on many of his songs at the time. Typical also of this period of the Beatles is the vocal leap into falsetto.

After completing “When I Get Home” in 11 takes, the Beatles finished recording another Lennon song, “Any Time At All”, which they had started work on earlier that day. They also recorded Paul McCartney’s “Things We Said Today” during the same session.

A mono mix was made on 4 June 1964, although this was replaced when new mono and stereo mixes were made on 22 June.

The band Yellow Matter Custard covered the song for their CD/DVD release One Night In New York City. There have also been covers by The Rustix, Tony Visconti, and Alejandro Escovedo.

Meaning of “When I Get Home”

The lyrics of “When I Get Home” express a longing for a romantic partner and a sense of anticipation to be reunited with them. The narrator looks forward to returning home and being with their loved one, emphasizing the joy and comfort they find in their partner’s presence.

Lines like “I got no time for trivialities” and “I got a whole lot of things to tell her” convey a sense of urgency and eagerness to share their feelings with their beloved.

“When I Get Home” is a love song that celebrates the anticipation and excitement of being reunited with a loved one after being away. It conveys a sense of longing and the desire for intimate connection.

Personnel

• John Lennon – lead vocal, rhythm guitar
• Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass, piano
• George Harrison – harmony vocal, lead guitar
• Ringo Starr – drums