I'm Down

I'm Down

Written by: Paul McCartney (100%) (credited as Lennon-McCartney)
Recorded: June 14, 1965 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: June 18, 1965
Length: 2:31
Takes: 7
Musicians: John Lennon: backing vocals, rhythm guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 325), organ (Vox Continental)
Paul McCartney: lead vocals, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar (Gretsch 6119 "Tennessean")
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig), bongos
First released: August 6, 1965 (UK: Parlophone R5305), August 13, 1965 (US: Capitol 5476) (b-side of "Help!")
Available on: (CDs in bold)

• Past Masters Volume 1, (UK: Parlophone CDP 7 90043 2, US: Capitol CDP 7 90043 2)

Highest chart position: 1 (UK: August 5, 1965)
History:

• Written by Paul specifically as a set closer, a raveup designed to take the place of the Little Richard cover "Long Tall Sally" at the end of their live shows. Indeed, the structure and performance mark it as an homage to Richard, although the Beatles song does not specifically borrow from it.
• Recorded, oddly enough, at the same session as "Yesterday." ("I've Just Seen A Face" was also recorded at this session.)
• This marks the first time John played a keyboard of any kind on a record. Live, he often played electric piano instead.

Live versions: 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 29-30, 1965 (Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA), August 31, 1965 (Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA), May 1, 1966 (N.M.E. Poll Winners' Concert 1966, Empire Pool, Wembley), 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, 1966 (Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Manila, Philippines)

Trivia:

• Paul McCartney opened his section of the September 11 benefit The Concert For New York City with this number.
• Aerosmith helped get themselves a record contract by playing a version of this song at their audition; they later recorded the song in the studio for 1987's Permanent Vacation album.
• The Beastie Boys infamously sought to sample this song for their 1986 debut, Licensed To Ill, but couldn't get permission from Michael Jackson, who had just acquired the publishing rights and who found the Beasties offensive.

Covered by: Aerosmith, Adrian Belew, Deacon Blue, Jay Ferguson, Jan Hammer, The Kentucky Headhunter, New Grass Revival, The Wailers, Yes