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In the early days of The Beatles, the pop business had not yet realized the potential riches to be earned from merchandising through a variety of products. The next best thing they thought was to do a cheap black and white movie. It also solved the problem that The Beatles could now be seen in cities and towns throughout the world that they either could not nor had any intention of visiting personally. What the world and the pop business did not realize, again, was that this movie turned out to be one of the greatest ever filmed. So good in fact that it is used as a model in schools in the areas of style, direction and production. In part three, we take a look at The Beatles' first film, and soundtrack album. Not all the songs on the album were in the film. Wanna know why? Read on!
Oh Look Out! Songs and Albums of The Beatles Part 3 By John T. Marck A Hard Day's Night "Some Day When We're Dreaming, Deep In Love, Not a Lot To Say, Then We Will Remember, Things We Said Today..."Initially, the movie "A Hard Day's Night," was conceived as a film to be seen only in the United Kingdom, and other smaller countries. This low-cost black and white production was designed so that The Beatles could be seen in some of the smaller towns that The Beatles either could not nor would ever visit in person. The Beatles were approached to do a film in the Fall of 1963, back when their fame had hardly spread much further than England. Had United Artists known or perceived that it would be the success that it came to be in America, they would have in all probability filmed the movie in color. I for one am glad they didn't - as I think as things turned out, it is much better in black and white. At first, United Artists foolishly thought that The Beatles may be a "flash in the pan." Because of this misguided feeling, they wanted the film completed and released by July 1964, and produced as cheaply as possible. The production budget was set at 150,000 pounds, and later increased to 175,000. Walter Shenson, the film's producer, as noted in Barry Miles excellent book, "Paul McCartney Many Years From Now," said, "We need a film for the express purpose of getting a soundtrack album. Just make sure there are enough new songs for a soundtrack album and don't go over budget." To be sure not to risk spending more money, the film was shot in black & white. McCartney said that "If it had been done in color, it would have been crap! Help! was filmed in color and it wasn't anywhere as good a film." "A Hard Day's Night" was a breakthrough album for The Beatles, as it was their first album where they wrote all the songs. Of the album's thirteen tracks, it became Lennon's crowning achievement, as he wrote ten of the thirteen. During this time, Lennon was the unofficial leader of The Beatles, and although McCartney was more musically accomplished, Paul remained the junior player to John, since their first meeting in 1957. In the years since they met through 1964, Lennon recalled as his most dominant period during The Beatles musical career. It would not be until Lennon felt inhibited that Paul began to take over. "A Hard Day's Night," having featured ten Lennon songs, or the majority, would not occur again on any Beatles' album. In the title song, written by Lennon, he had said that the only reason McCartney sang the lead was because he could not hit the high notes. Having returned from their first United States visit, The Beatles were placed on a preposterously tight schedule. They were given less than two weeks to write and record the songs for this film. Credited with writing all the songs "between them," meaning Lennon and McCartney, this is hardly the truth. As said earlier, Lennon wrote the lion's share. Seven of the songs on the British album were written for the film, however, "I'll Cry Instead," was eliminated in favor of "Can't Buy Me Love," written as a single by Paul. As Lennon and McCartney had not seen the script, yet had to write songs for it, they wrote whatever they wished, and the songs were placed into the movie, but had nothing to do with the plot. Because the plot was to re-create the delirium of Beatlemania, it didn't really matter. In "A Hard Day's Night," The Beatles were playing caricatures of themselves, depicting a 48-hour period of what it was like during their frantic lifestyles at the height of Beatlemania. With a script written by Alun Owen, it was originally thought that all the Beatles' lines were ad-libbed. This was not true. But, as The Beatles were young and had never acted, the script was written so that no sentence spoken by them had more than six words, making it easy for them. There were a few ad-libs in the film, but only by Lennon. Although The Beatles liked the final cut of the film, they did complain that it showed only one side of their personalities, but because it avoided the commonplace scripts of other pop stars movies, such as Elvis Presley, they conceded that it was probably as realistic as it could be. When filming began, there was no title for the film. Suggested titles were "On The Move," "Let's Go," and "Beatlemania," but The Beatles rejected these. During this time, The Beatles were extremely busy performing concerts, writing songs, as well as dealing with the movie. Once after a concert, following a long day that started early in the morning, Ringo went outside and still thinking it was day, said, "It's been a hard day, (then looked around and saw it was dark out and said) "day's night," and the title was born. When the album was released, the British and American versions were substantially different, both in tracks and cover art. The American version was released on June 26, 1964 by United Artists and contained the seven songs from the film plus "I'll Cry Instead." Added to this were four instrumental versions of Lennon and McCartney songs by George Martin. In order of tracks, they were: Side A - A Hard Day's Night; Tell Me Why; I Cry Instead (which is a typo that should have read I'll Cry Instead, at least on the version I have); I Should Have Known Better (instrumental); I'm Happy Just To Dance With You; And I Love Her (instrumental). Side B contains: I Should Have Known Better; If I Fell; And I Love Her; Ringo's Theme (This Boy) (instrumental); Can't Buy Me Love and A Hard Day's Night (instrumental). The British version was released on July 10, 1964 and contained the seven songs from the film on Side One. These are: A Hard Day's Night; I Should Have Known Better; If I Fell; I'm Happy Just To Dance With You; And I Love Her; Tell Me Why; and Can't Buy Me Love.. Side Two contained: Any Time At All; I'll Cry Instead; Things We Said Today; When I Get Home; You Can't Do That; and I'll Be Back. All the lyrics to the thirteen songs on the British version and the CD version available today are listed below. Both of these albums were originally released in High Fidelity, which means monaural as opposed to stereo. George Martin did prepare a stereo version, but when the CD was released years later, Martin used the original monaural versions. The film also starred Wilfrid Brambell, and was produced by Walter Shenson, and directed by Richard Lester. It was released by ® United Artists, and all songs were written by Lennon and McCartney. With the exception of the title track, keep in mind that the other tracks have nothing at all to do with the plot of the movie. A Hard Day's Night premiered in London on July 6, 1964 and this performance was attended by Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon. As the theatre was located in Piccadilly Circus, this area had to be closed to traffic to accommodate the thousands of fans. On July 10, The Beatles traveled to Liverpool for the premier at the Odeon, and here, the streets were lined with a hundred thousand fans. In the United States, New York's "Village Voice" critic Andrew Sarris said of the film that it was the "Citizen Kane of jukebox musicals." A Hard Day's Night took in $8,000,000 in its first week, making it one of the most profitable films of all time, and a record for a movie by recording artists. One of the lasting things about the movie at that time was that people from all over the world, who never have the opportunity to see them in person, could now put a name to that face which would become the most famous in recorded history. And now... A Hard Day's Night Written by John, and the title by Ringo, it was originally written in part to his son Julian. Initially it contained the words, "But when I get home to you, I find my tiredness is through, and I feel alright." A friend of Lennon's, a London journalist for the Evening Standard named Maureen Cleave said that the word "tiredness" was weak, so Lennon changed it to "I find the things that you do, will make me feel all right." It has an unforgettable opening whereby George Harrison is striking a "G" suspended 4th chord on his 12-string Rickenbacker guitar. It is one of only a few songs by The Beatles that is recognizable in the first two seconds. It is used in the opening of the film. It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog, it's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log But when I get home to you, I find the things that you do, will make me feel all right You know I work all day, to get you money to buy you things And it's worth it just to hear you say, you're gonna give me everything So why on earth should I moan, 'cause when I get you alone, you know I feel okay When I'm home, everything seems to be right, when I'm home, feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog, it's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log But when I get home to you, I find the things that you do, will make me feel all right, oh! So why on earth should I moan, 'cause when I get you alone, you know I feel okay When I'm home, everything seems to be right, when I'm home, feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog, it's been a hard day's night, I should be sleeping like a log But when I get home to you, I find the things that you do, Will make me feel all right, you know I feel all right, you know I feel all right I Should Have Known Better A love song by Lennon, it basically describes a relationship where he loves the girl, the girl loves him, and everything is okay. This song was the first used in a sequence in the film, when Paul is playing cards with his grandfather (played by Wilfrid Brambell). I should have known better with a girl like you, that I would love everything that you do And I do, hey hey hey, and I do Whoa, whoa I, never realized what a kiss could be, this could only happen to me, can't you see, can't you see That when I tell you that I love you, oh, you're gonna say you love me too, oh And when I ask you to be mine, you're gonna say you love me too So oh I, should of realized a lota things before, if this is love you've gotta give me more Give me more, hey, hey, hey, give me more Whoa whoa I, never realized what a kiss could be, this could only happen to me, can't you see, can't you see That when I tell you that I love you, oh, you're gonna say you love me too, oh And when I ask you to be mine, you're gonna say you love me too You love me too, you love me too, you love me too If I Fell Another of Lennon's, this describes an illicit affair. In this, Lennon is asking a woman that if he leaves his wife for her, will she love him more than he's ever been loved before. He also realizes that if he leaves his wife, it will cause her pain, so he wants to be sure that this other woman is committed to the relationship. It is one of Lennon's most beautiful songs, somewhat of a precursor to "In My Life." If I fell in love with you, could you promise to be true, and help me understand 'Cause I've been in love before, and I've found that love was more, than just holding hands If I give my heart to you, I must be sure from the very start, that you, would love me more than her If I trust in you, oh please, don't run and hide, if I love you too, oh please Don't hurt my pride like her, 'cause I couldn't stand the pain, and I, would be sad if our new love, was in vain So I hope you see, that I, would love to love you, and that she will cry When she learns we are two, 'cause I couldn't stand the pain, and I, would be sad if our new love, was in vain So I hope you see, that I, would love to love you, and that she will cry When she learns we are two, if I fell in love with you I'm Happy Just To Dance With You Another by Lennon, of his love/relationship songs. It was said that Lennon didn't really like it, so it was given to Harrison to sing in the film. A formula song, Paul added that "they knew a song written in E went to an A-flat minor, you could always make a song with these chords, and that change pretty much excited you." At this time, and for a few years since, George's writings were not accepted by Lennon and McCartney and were hardly if ever used on any recording. Additionally, Lennon believed that Harrison's somewhat simple vocal delivery conveyed the mood of the song perfectly. Before this dance is through, I think I'll love you too, I'm so happy when you dance with me I don't wanna kiss or hold your hand, if it's funny try and understand There is really nothing else I'd rather do, 'cause I'm happy just to dance with you I don't need to hug or hold you tight, I just wanna dance with you all night In this world there's nothing I would rather do, 'cause I'm happy just to dance with you Just to dance with you, is everything I need, before this dance is through, I think I'll love you too I'm so happy when you dance with me, if somebody tries to take my place, let's pretend we just can't see his face In this world there's nothing I would rather do, 'cause I'm happy just to dance with you Just to dance with you, is everything I need, before this dance is through, I think I'll love you too I'm so happy when you dance with me, if somebody tries to take my place, let's pretend we just can't see his face In this world there's nothing I would rather do, I've discovered I'm in love with you Oh a, 'cause I'm happy just to dance with you, oh a, oh a, oh And I Love Her Written by McCartney, it is simply a love song to his then girlfriend, Jane Asher. A favorite of Lennon, he later described it as Paul's first "Yesterday." I give her all my love, that's all I do, and if you saw my love, you'd love her too, I love her She gives my everything, and tenderly, the kiss my lover brings, she brings to me, and I love her A love like ours, could never die, as long as I have you near me Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky, I know this love of mine, will never die, and I love her Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky, I know this love of mine, will never die, and I love her Tell Me Why Considered "delicious hackwork," this song by Lennon was written to include one in the film that was very upbeat. In this Lennon describes that he had been deserted and lied to. He asks the girl to let him know what he had done wrong, so that he can correct it and put things right. His further inspiration was that when parents of children either leave or suddenly die, the children are left with feelings that they somehow did something wrong to cause these events. It is I believe one of the best on the album, and one of my favorites. Tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me, tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me Well I gave you everything I had, but you left me sitting on my own Did you have to treat me oh so bad, all I do is hang my head and moan Tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me, tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me If there's something I'd said or done, tell me what and I'll apologize If you don't I really can't go on, holding back these tears in my eyes Tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me, tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me Well I beg you on my bended knees, if you'll only listen to my pleas Is there anything I can do, 'cause I really can't stand it, I'm so in love with you Tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me, tell me why you cried, and why you lied to me Can't Buy Me Love While The Beatles were in Paris in January 1964 during their 18-day concert tour at the Olympia Theatre, Paul wrote this song. Lennon and McCartney had just finished writing a song titled "One And One Is Two," for Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, and The Beatles needed a song quickly to follow the success of "I Want To Hold Your Hand, " in America. George Martin said that it should be upbeat and suggested it start with a chorus, and the song was born. This song was the only previously released song to appear on "A Hard Day's Night." The song was fashioned after the rock n' roll of the fifties, and showcased Harrison's excellent guitar skills. Paul said that this was his attempt to write a bluesy song. Its theme was that material possessions are very nice but they can't get me what I want. Paul was honored years later when the great Ella Fitzgerald recorded this song. In his interview with "Playboy," Lennon said that it was "Paul's song completely." Can't buy me love, love, can't buy me love , I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend, if it makes you feel all right I'll get you anything my friend, if it makes you feel all right 'Cause I don't care too much for money, for money can't buy me love I'll give you all I've got to give, if you say you love me too, I may not have a lot to give, but what I've got I'll give to you I don't care too much for money, for money can't buy me love Can't buy me love, everybody tells me so, can't buy me love, no, no, no, no Say you don't need no diamond rings, and I'll be satisfied, Tell me that you want the kind of things, that money just can't buy I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love, Can't buy me love, everybody tells me so, can't buy me love, no, no, no, no Say you don't need no diamond rings, and I'll be satisfied, Tell me that you want the kind of things, that money just can't buy I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love, ooh, can't buy me love, love, can't buy me love, ooh Any Time At All Because The Beatles needed songs for the B-side of the album that were not in the film, Lennon used the same chord progression that had been used on "It Won't Be Long." Another of Lennon's relationship songs. Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all, all you've gotta do is call, and I'll be there If you need somebody to love, just look into my eyes, I'll be there to make you feel right, if you're feeling sorry and sad I'd really sympathize, don't you be sad, just call me tonight Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all, all you've gotta do is call, and I'll be there If the sun has faded away, I'll try to make it shine, there is nothing I won't do, if you need a shoulder to cry on I hope it will be mine, call me tonight and I'll come to you Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all, all you've gotta do is call, and I'll be there Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all, all you've gotta do is call, and I'll be there Any time at all, all you've gotta do is call, and I'll be there I'll Cry Instead Written by Lennon, this song was intended to be used in the fire escape sequence in the film, but was replaced by "Can't Buy You Love." In this, Lennon is saying that upon losing his girl, he would cry now, but later would come back and exact vengeance. He is imagining breaking the hearts of girls around the world, by letting them fall for him, then turning it around by disdaining those who had rejected him. Regardless of its intended meaning, it's quite a catchy song! I've got every reason on earth to be mad, 'cause I just lost the only girl I had. If I could get my way, I'd get myself locked up today, but I can't, so I'll cry instead I've got a chip on my shoulder that's bigger that my feet, I can't talk to people that I meet, if I could see you now I'd try to make you sad somehow, but I can't, so I'll cry instead Don't want to cry when there's people there, I get shy when they start to stare I'm gonna hide myself away hey, but I'll come back again someday, and when I do you'd better hide all the girls, I'm gonna break their hearts all round the world, yes, I'm gonna break them in two And show you what your lovin' man can do, until then I'll cry instead Don't want to cry when there's people there, I get shy when they start to stare I'm gonna hide myself away hey, but I'll come back again someday, and when I do you better hide all the girls, Cause I'm gonna break their hearts all round the world, yes, I'm gonna break them in two And show you what your lovin' man can do, until then I'll cry instead Things We Said Today One of the few McCartney songs included on the album, but what a nice song. Written to his girlfriend Jane Asher, Paul knew that their time together would be limited, what with both their busy schedules. While on a trip to the Caribbean with Jane and with Ringo and his then wife Maureen, while on a yacht, Paul wrote this song. It is a reflection on which he could take comfort while separated, remembering things they had said this day. You say you will love me, if I have to go, you'll be thinking of me, somehow I will know Someday when I'm lonely, wishing you weren't so far away, then I will remember, things we said today You say you'll be mine, girl, 'til the end of time, these days such a kind girl, seems so hard to find Someday when we're dreaming, deep in love, not a lot to say, then we will remember, things we said today Me I'm just the lucky kind, love to hear you say that love is love And though we may be blind, love is here to stay and that's enough To make you mine, girl, be the only one, love me all the time, girl, we'll go on and on Some day when we're dreaming, deep in love, not a lot to say, then we will remember, things we said today Me I'm just the lucky kind, love to hear you say that is love is love And though we may be blind, love is here to stay and that's enough To make you mine, girl, be the only one, love me all the time, girl, we'll go on and on Some day when we're dreaming, deep in love, not a lot to say, then we will remember, things we said today When I Get Home By Lennon, this is one of his more optimistic songs. It describes what he is going to do and say to his girl, when he gets home. Actually, it describes that his true love is waiting for him at home. In spite of other images of Lennon, he was quite the homebody, loving to sit on the floor or his bed and watch television and read books and magazines. This was further confirmed in his marriage to Yoko and his assumed role as the "house husband" at their Dakota apartment in New York. Whoa, I, whoa, I, I got a whole lot of things to tell her, when I get home. Come on, I'm on my way, 'cause I'm gonna see my baby today, I've got a whole lot of things I gotta say, to her Whoa, I, whoa, I, I got a whole lot of things to tell her, when I get home Come on, if you please, I got no time for trivialities, I've got a girl who's waiting home for me, tonight Whoa, I, whoa, I, I got a whole lot of things to tell her, when I get home When I'm getting home tonight, I'm gonna hold her tight, I'm gonna love her till the cows come home, I bet I'll love her more, till I walk out that door, again, come on, let me through, I got so many things I gotta do I got no business being here with you, this way, Whoa, I, whoa, I, I got a whole lot of things to tell her, when I get home, yeah I've got a whole lot of things to tell her, when I get home You Can't Do That Another of my favorites on the album by Lennon, this song was inspired by the R&B sounds of Memphis, and Wilson Pickett. In this, Lennon is actually giving the girl a threat, saying if he catches her talking to another boy, he would leave her. He is thinking that since he knows what it feels like to be rejected, he's not going to let it happen again. Although he usually played rhythm guitar to George's lead, Lennon assumed the lead on this one. I got something to say that might cause you pain, if I catch you talking to that boy again I'm gonna let you down, and leave you flat, because I told you before, oh, you can't do that Well it's the second time I've caught you talking to him, do I have to tell you one more time I think it's a sin, I think I'll let you down, (let you down) and leave you flat, (gonna let you down and leave you flat) because I told you before, oh, you can't do that Everybody's green, 'cause I'm the one who won your love, but if they'd seen, you talking that way, they'd laugh in my face So please listen to me if you want to stay mine, I can't help my feelings, I go out of my mind, I'm gonna let you down, (let you down) and leave you flat, (gonna let you down and leave you flat) because I told you before, oh, you can't do that You can't do that, you can't do that, you can't do that, you can't do that, you can't do that Everybody's green, 'cause I'm the one who won your love But if they'd seen, you talking that way, they'd laugh in my face, so please listen to me if you want to stay mine I can't help my feelings I go out of my mind, I go and let you down, (let you down) and leave you flat, (gonna let you down and leave you flat) because I told you before, oh, you can't do that I'll Be Back Having liked the songs of Del Shannon, Lennon wrote this song about a fictional romance. He took songs of Shannon's like "Runaway," "Hey Little Girl," and others, and reworked the chords to come up "I'll Be Back." Still, it is pure Lennon all the way. You know, if you break my heart I'll go, but I'll be back again, 'Cause I, told you once before goodbye, but I came back again, I love you so oh, I'm the one who wants you Yes I'm the one who wants you, oh, ho, oh, ho, oh, you could find better things to do, than to break my heart again This time I will try to show that I'm, not trying to pretend, I thought that you would realize, that if I ran away from you That you would want me to, but I got a big surprise, oh, ho, oh, ho, oh You could find better things to do, than to break my heart again This time I will try to show that I'm, not trying to pretend I want to go, but I hate to leave you, you know I hate to leave you, oh, ho, oh, ho You, if you break my heart I'll go, but I'll be back again
A ll lyrics & song titles contained herein by John Lennon & Paul McCartney © Copyright 1964 Northern Songs. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Also, released thru ®United Artists. All songs published by Maclen Music, Inc. and Unart Music Corp. BMI except "This Boy" and "I'll Cry Instead" which are published by Maclen Music Inc. BMI The lyrics contained herein are for the sole use of educational reference for the readers of this article. All other uses are in violation of international copyright laws. This use for educational reference, falls under the "fair use" sections of U.S. copyright law. The same such reference applies to images/photos of album covers used herein.Copyright 2000-2022 © by John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author, or the registered copyright holders. Except as otherwise stated above, all information contained in this article, EXCEPT song titles, lyrics, and photographs, © by John T. Marck.
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