Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why

Written by: John Lennon (100%)
(credited as Lennon-McCartney)
Recorded: April 16, 1964 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: March 20, 1964; March 23, 1964; June 9, 1964; June 22, 1964
Length: 2:29
Takes: 9
Musicians:
John Lennon: lead vocal, backing vocal, rhythm guitar (Gibson J160E)
Paul McCartney: backing vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: backing vocal, lead guitar (1964 Rickenbacker "Fire-glo" 360-12)
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig)
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)

History:

• According to John, "Tell Me Why" was written by himself at the last minute to fill the final spot on the A Hard Day's Night album, more than likely composed in New York City while the group was there to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show. Often described as a girl-group song with doo-wop chords and a blues delivery, it's somewhat unappreciated, being one of the few songs not selected from the LP for use as a US single (though it was included on the US version of AHDN along with eight other singles tracks, more than likely because it's featured in the film).
• The amazing harmonies on this song are the product of some studio trickery: although John sings lead, the harmony vocals which answer him in the verse and join him in the chorus are actually made up of Paul, George, and John, meaning that John is essentially harmonizing with his own lead.
• "Tell Me Why" was one of the quicker AHDN songs committed to vinyl, being completed in eight takes -- and an extra take for the complex harmony overdubs -- at the third session for the album, just after work was completed on "And I Love Her" and just before work began on "If I Fell."

Trivia:

• "Tell Me Why" is featured in the pivotal "Showtime" scene at the end of the A Hard Day's Night film, as the group arrives at its television appearance at the last minute, performing a medley that begins with this song. The version used in the film, however, runs at a noticably slower speed, although it is in all other respects the same track.
• The title was used by Tim Riley for an excellent book which comments on every Beatles track.

Covered by: The Beach Boys, April Wine, Brinsley Schwarz, Sixth Wave