I Feel Fine
Written by: John Lennon (100%) (credited as Lennon-McCartney)Recorded: October 18, 1964 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: October 21, 1964; October 22, 1964; October 27, 1964
Length: 2:20
Takes: 9
Musicians: John Lennon: lead vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar (Gibson J160E)
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead guitar (Gretsch 6119 "Tennessean")
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig)
First released: November 23, 1964 (US: Capitol 5327), November 27, 1964 (UK: Parlophone R5200)
Available on: (CDs in bold)
- Beatles 65, (US: Capitol (S)T 2228, Capitol CDP 7243 8 66874 2 5)
- The Beatles Million Sellers, (UK: Parlophone GEP 8946}
- The Beatles 1962-1966, (UK: Apple PCSP 717, US: Apple SKBO 3403, Apple CDP 0777 7 97036 2 3)
- Past Masters Volume 1, (UK: Parlophone CDP 7 90043 2, US: Capitol CDP 7 90043 2)
- The Beatles 1, (Apple CDP 7243 5 299702 2)
History:
- Written by John on October 3, 1964, and worked on by him during the sessions for "Eight Days A Week," this song was based around a distinctive riff and Latin drum pattern very reminiscent of R&B artist Bobby Parker's "Watch Your Step" (which the band was familiar with, having covered it on stage in the Cavern days). Although Paul has claimed some portion of the song's final form, records and hearsay seem to discount any real involvement.
- Although many bands have claimed the distinction, "I Feel Fine" was the first recorded song to feature guitar feedback. While recording, Lennon accidentally left his guitar (actually an acoustic Gibson with an electric P-90 pickup) too close to his Vox AC30 amp, producing an interesting whine in tune with the riff's opening note (A). Lennon worked during the ensuing takes to replicate the effect, which in the final version is actually produced by Paul's bass resonating an octave higher in John's pickup.
- Although George was the lead guitarist of the group, the main riff is played by John. The famous solo is also played by John, though George joins him when the riff returns.
- The "barking dog" noises at the very end of the fade-out are Paul's; several outtakes reveal lots of goofing off during the sessions.
April 11, 1965 (N.M.E. Poll Winners' Concert 1965, Empire Pool, Wembley)
June 20, 1965 (Palais Des Sports, Paris, France)
June 22, 1965 (Palais d'Hiver, Lyon, France)
June 24, 1965 (Velodromo, Milan, Italy)
June 25, 1965 (Palazzo Dello Sport, Genoa, Italy)
June 27-28, 1965 (Teatro Adriano, Rome, Italy)
June 30, 1965 (Palais Des Fetes, Nice, France)
July 2, 1965 (Plaza De Toros De Madrid, Madrid, Spain)
July 3, 1965 (Plaza de Toros Monumental, Barcelona, Spain)
August 15, 1965 (Shea Stadium, New York, NY)
August 17, 1965 (Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada)
August 18, 1965 (Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, GA)
August 19, 1965 (Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, TX)
August 20, 1965 (White Sox Park, Chicago, IL)
August 21, 1965 (Metropolitan Stadium, Minneapolis, MN)
August 22, 1965 (Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR)
August 28, 1965 (Balboa Stadium, San Diego, CA)
August 19-30, 1965 (Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA)
August 31, 1965 (Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA)
December 3, 1965 (Odeon, Glasgow, Scotland)
December 4, 1965 (City Hall, Newcastle, England)
December 5, 1965 (Empire, Liverpool, England)
December 7, 1965 (Apollo, Ardwick, Manchester, England)
December 8, 1965 (City Hall, Sheffield, England)
December 9, 1965 (Odeon, Birmingham, England)
December 10, 1965 (Odeon, Hammersmith, England)
December 11, 1965 (Astoria, Finsbury Park, England)
December 12, 1965 (Capitol, Cardiff, England)
June 24, 1966 (Circus-Krone-Bau, Munich, Germany)
June 25, 1966 (Grugahalle, Essen, Germany)
June 26, 1966 ( Ernst Merck Halle, Hamburg, Germany)
June 30 - July 2, 1966 (Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan)
July 4, 1965 (Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Manila, Philippines)
August 12, 1966 (International Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL)
August 13, 1966 (Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI)
August 14, 1966 (Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, OH)
August 15, 1966 (Washington Stadium, Washington, DC)
August 16, 1966 (Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, PA)
August 17, 1966 (Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada)
August 18, 1966 (Suffolk Downs Racecourse, Boston, MA)
August 19, 1966 (Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN)
August 20, 1966 (Crosley Field, Cincinnati, OH)
August 21, 1966 (Busch Stadium, St Louis, MO)
August 23, 1966 (Shea Stadium, New York, NY)
August 25, 1966 (Seattle Coliseum, Seattle, WA)
BBC radio versions: 2 (for the BBC radio programs Top Gear and Saturday Club)
Trivia:
- The urban legend that the feedback was a mistake made during the final take stems from the band themselves, who told their English label, Parlophone, that it was a mistake in order to allow the use of the feedback (normally deemed unacceptable as a sonic standard).
- This song appears in mono on both original singles (UK and US) in slightly different mixes, whereas the version found on the US Beatles 65 LP is "mock stereo" made from mono and the current CD releases are in true stereo (except where noted). The original US single mix is drenched in echo compared to its cleaner UK counterpart.
