Eight Days A Week

Eight Days A Week

Written by: Paul McCartney (70%), John Lennon (30%) (credited as Lennon-McCartney)
Recorded: October 6, 1964; October 18, 1964 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: October 12, 1964; October 27, 1964
Length: 2:43
Takes: 15
Musicians: John Lennon: lead vocals, rhythm guitar (Gibson J160E)
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1), piano
George Harrison: lead guitar, rhythm guitars (Gretsch 6122 "Country Gentleman," Rickenbacker 360-12 "Fire-glo")
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig)
First released: February 15, 1965 (US: Capitol 5371)
Available on: (CDs in bold)

• Beatles For Sale, (UK: Parlophone PMC 1240, Parlophone CDP 7 46438 2)
• Beatles VI, (US: Capitol (S)T 2358, CDP 0946 3 57499 2 2)
• Beatles For Sale (EP), (UK: Parlophone GEP 8931)
• The Beatles 1962-1966, (UK: Apple PCSP 717, US: Apple SKBO 3403, Apple CDP 0777 7 97036 2 3)
• The Beatles 1, (Apple CDP 7243 5 299702 2)

Highest chart position: 1 (US: two weeks beginning March 13, 1965)
History:

• Written mostly by Paul, with some help from John, this was another song based on one of Ringo's odd sayings: "I've been working eight days a week!" It was written at least in part as a working title song for the group's next film: when the title Help was legally spoken for, the Beatles toyed with the idea of naming their second feature Eight Arms To Hold You; when the group circumvented the problem by adding an exclamation point to the original title, the "eight arms" idea was scrapped.
• The most notable feature of this song is its faded-in intro, a first in pop music. Originally conceived by John and Paul as an a capella opening, it (and its accompanying outro) are edits, recorded and spliced into the song during a second session (10/8/64) reserved especially for figuring out an opening!
• Although John and Paul sing in harmony throughout much of the song, the lead vocal mostly belongs to John, odd since Paul was the primary songwriter.

Trivia:

• Neither John nor Paul thought much of this song, but it paradoxically is quite beloved amongst Beatles fans, becoming the group's eighth Number One in the United States.
• This song was featured prominently in the "My Best Friend's Wedding" episode of the hit TV series Scrubs.

Covered by: Alma Cogan, The Dandy Warhols, Joan Jett, Enoch Light, Lorrie Morgan, The Persuasions, Billy Preston, Procol Harum, The Runaways, B.E. Taylor