- Published on 1965
- Author: Lennon/McCartney
- Track 6 on “Help!“
JOHN 1980: “That’s me.”
About “You’re Going to Lose That Girl”
Credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership, the song was mostly written by John Lennon with contributions from Paul McCartney.
Walter Everett and Ian MacDonald both refer to the song as Lennon’s. In his official biography Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, Paul McCartney estimates the writing as 60–40 to John Lennon. The song was likely written in January or February 1965. In a 16 January 1965 interview with Ray Coleman for Melody Maker magazine, Lennon explained he had only written “half a song” for the Beatles’ next film. From 25 January to 7 February, Lennon and his wife Cynthia vacationed in the Austrian Alps with Beatles producer George Martin and Martin’s future wife, Judy Lockhart-Smith. The time off from touring provided Lennon, McCartney and George Harrison time to write new songs, eventually recording 11 new tracks between 15 and 20 February.
In the film, the group appears singing this song in the recording studio. In addition to the group’s familiar guitar-and-drum setup, there is also footage of Paul McCartney at a piano and Ringo Starr playing the bongos, both miming instruments they had overdubbed onto the recording. Towards the end, one of the thugs uses a chainsaw to saw a hole in the floor around the drum kit. The producer reports that they will have to re-record the song due to a buzzing noise, at which point The Beatles begin asking one another who was buzzing. As they look to Ringo, he and the drums fall through the floor.
Meaning of “You’re Going to Lose That Girl”
The lyrics of “You’re Going to Lose That Girl” convey a warning to a romantic rival. The narrator is essentially telling the rival that they will eventually lose the girl they’re pursuing because the narrator is confident in their own ability to win her heart. Lines like “If you don’t take her out tonight, she’s going to change her mind” and “You’re going to lose that girl” emphasize the narrator’s conviction that the girl’s affections will ultimately shift towards him.
The song captures a common theme in many love songs: competition for affection. It’s a playful and confident expression of romantic rivalry. “You’re Going to Lose That Girl” is a lively and catchy tune that showcases Lennon’s ability to infuse wit and attitude into his songwriting.
Personnel
- John Lennon – double-tracked lead vocal, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney – backing vocal, bass guitar, piano
- George Harrison – backing vocal, lead guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums, bongos
