I Need You
Written by: George Harrison (100%)Recorded: February 15 and 16, 1965 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: February 18 and 23, 1965
Length: 2:28
Takes: 5
Musicians:
John Lennon: harmony vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar (1950 Jose Ramirez classical)
Paul McCartney: harmony vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead vocal (double-tracked), lead guitar (1964 Rickenbacker "Fire-glo" 360-12)
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig), cowbell
Available on: (CDs in bold)
Help!, (UK: Parlophone PMC 1255; PCS 3071; Parlophone CDP 7 46439 2)
Help!, (US: Capitol (S)MAS 2386)
History:
- As only his second song composed and performed on an official Beatles album, "I Need You," simple love ballad that it was, proved to be an important step forward in the recognition of Harrison as a songwriting talent. Written in late 1964 for his girlfriend and future wife Pattie Boyd, and finished off with some unknown help from John, this song was deemed good enough for use in the film Help! (in the same Salisbury Plain setting that featured "The Night Before").
- This song is most notable for its use of the primitive "tone pedal," later known as the "wah-wah," on George's guitar, producing a four-chord pattern that continues on and off throughout the song. It is sometimes reported as the first such pedal use in rock; though it isn't the first, it is a very early example, and definitely the first in the Beatles' canon.
- "I Need You" was recorded at the first Help! session, after work was completed on "Ticket To Ride" and "Another Girl." The next day's session began with an overdub of lead vocal, Ringo's cowbell in the chorus, and the wah effect.
- The band would record a second Harrison composition ("You Like Me Too Much") a day later, beginning a tradition of two Harrison compositions per record. In addition, the tone-pedal effect was immediately reprised for John's b-side "Yes It Is," recorded the day this song was finished.
