I Should Have Known Better

I Should Have Known Better

Written by: John Lennon (100%) (credited as Lennon-McCartney)
Recorded: February 25-26, 1964 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: March 3, 1964; June 22, 1964
Length: 2:39
Takes: 22
Musicians: John Lennon: lead vocal (double-tracked), rhythm guitar (Gibson J160E), acoustic guitar, harmonica
Paul McCartney: bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead guitar (Rickenbacker 360-12 "Fire-glo")
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig)
First released: July 13, 1964 (US: Capitol 5222) (b-side of "A Hard Day's Night")
Available on: (CDs in bold)

• A Hard Day's Night, (UK: Parlophone PMC 1230, PCS 3058, Parlophone CDP7 46437 2, US: United Artists UAL 3366, UAS 6366, Capitol CLJ 46435)
• Extracts From The Album A Hard Day's Night (EP), (UK: Parlophone GEP 8924)
• Hey Jude, (UK: Parlophone PCS 7184, US: Apple SW 385)

History:

• This song was finished in three takes on February 25, but due to John's dissatisfaction with the finished product, was completely redone in 22 takes the next day.
• This is the first recorded song on which George Harrison plays the 1963 Rickenbacker 360 12 guitar, the very first electric twelve-string guitar. It had been presented to him by Rickenbacker's Francis C. Hall on February 8 of the same year in New York City, and its use here would make it instantly popular among members of the burgeoning "folk-rock" movement. The Byrds' Roger McGuinn is said to have gotten the idea for the genre after hearing this song.

BBC radio versions: 2 (for the BBC radio programs Top Gear and From Us To You)
Trivia:

• This is the last Beatles song on which the harmonica is prominently featured in a main riff, although "I'm A Loser," recorded on August 14 of the same year, features a harmonica solo by John. (The only subsequent Beatles songs to feature any harmonica at all are "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite," which features George and Ringo on the instrument, and two John performances on "All Together Now" and "Rocky Raccoon.")
• In the film A Hard Day's Night, this is the song the Beatles sing to the schoolgirls on the train. One of those girls was model Patti Boyd, whom George met while filming the scene. She would later become his first wife, inspiring best friend Eric Clapton, who'd also fallen in love with her by 1970, to write "Layla" about his situation.

Covered by: The Beach Boys, Brinsley Schwarz, Jan and Dean, Phil Ochs, Johnny Rivers, The Skatalites, Sly and Robbie