1. Entertainment

Discuss in my forum

Thank You Girl

The history of this classic Beatles song

By , About.com Guide

The original US 45 of

The original US 45 of "Thank You Girl"

source: eskimo.com/~bpentium

Thank You Girl

Written by: John Lennon (50%) and Paul McCartney (50%) (credited as Lennon-McCartney)
Working Title: Thank You, Little Girl
Recorded: March 5th and 13th, 1963 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: March 13th, 1963
Length: 2:01
Takes: 28
Musicians: John Lennon: lead vocal (double-tracked), rhythm guitar (1958 Rickenbacker 325), Hohner harmonica
Paul McCartney: bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1), backing vocal
George Harrison: lead guitar (Gretsch 6122 "Country Gentleman")
Ringo Starr: drums (Premier)
First released: April 11, 1963 (b-side of "From Me To You") (UK: Parlophone R5015), May 27, 1963 (b-side of "From Me To You") (US: Vee-Jay VJ 522) also as b-side of
"Do You Want To Know A Secret") (US: Vee-Jay VJ 587, March 23, 1964)
Available on: (CDs in bold)
  • Past Masters Volume 1, (UK: Parlophone CDP 7 90043 2, US: Capitol CDP 7 90043 2)
  • The Beatles Hits (EP), (UK: Parlophone GEP 8880)
  • The Beatles & Frank Ifield On Stage, (US: Vee Jay VJ1085)
  • The Beatles' Second Album, (US: Capitol (S)T 2080, Capitol CDP 7243 8 66877 2 2}
Highest chart position: 35 (US: March 30, 1964)
History:
  • Another in an early line of direct tributes to their female fans, this song was originally written as the Beatles' third UK single, but was relegated to the b-side when the superior "From Me To You" was written shortly thereafter.
  • This is the first recorded evidence of double-tracking vocals on a Beatles record, a practice John Lennon would come to rely on to make his voice more attractive to him.
  • The verse for this song was written by John, the chorus by Paul; each part shows the trademark stylings of their author.
BBC versions: 3 (for the BBC radio programs Side By Side, Easy Beat, and Steppin' Out
Trivia:
  • The US version released on the album/CD The Beatles' Second Album contains different harmonica parts than the original single (replicated on Past Masters 1.
Covered by: Jerry Reed

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.