“All I’ve Got To Do” is a Beatles song from With The Beatles (1963), written by John Lennon in a Smokey Robinson-influenced style and sung by Lennon. In the United States, it first appeared on Meet The Beatles! in January 1964.
Key Facts
- First released on: “With The Beatles” (mono) on 22 November 1963; stereo album released 30 November 1963
- First US release: 20 January 1964 (on the Capitol album Meet The Beatles!)
- Recorded: 11 September 1963
- Genre: Pop rock, soul
- Track duration: 2:04
- Record label: Parlophone in the UK and Capitol in the US
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead vocal, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass guitar
- George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find All I’ve Got To Do
You can still buy or stream the track on the following releases:
- With The Beatles (Album)
- Meet The Beatles!
In the United States, it first appeared on Meet the Beatles! (1964).
All I’ve Got To Do: The Song
Written by John Lennon (and credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership), “All I’ve Got To Do” is one of his early attempts to capture the feel of American soul and R&B records he loved. Lennon later suggested it was written with the American market in mind, because the idea of phoning a girlfriend was far less common for British teenagers in the early 1960s.
Lennon’s inspiration came from Smokey Robinson. The song is often compared (musically and lyrically) to The Miracles’ “You Can Depend On Me”. There is also a clear early-Beatles link to The Shirelles’ “Baby It’s You“, which the band had already recorded for their debut album.
“That’s me trying to do Smokey Robinson again.”
John Lennon – All We Are Saying, David Sheff
There is also a direct Beatles-and-Robinson connection on the same album: both The Beatles and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles recorded “You Really Got a Hold on Me” (originally titled “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”).
Along with “It Won’t Be Long” and “Not a Second Time“, this is one of the key Lennon-led originals on “With The Beatles”.
Recording Studio
The Beatles recorded “All I’ve Got To Do” on 11 September 1963 in Studio Two at EMI Studios, London. They worked through 14 takes, then used an overdub to create take 15, which became the master.
The mono mix was made on 30 September 1963, and the stereo mix followed on 29 October 1963. The finished recording leans heavily on Paul McCartney’s bass part, including distinctive bass chords that help drive the track.
According to Dennis Alstrand, this is the first time in rock and roll or rock music that the bass player plays chords as a vital part of the song.
On “With The Beatles”, it is side 1, track 2, after “It Won’t Be Long” and before “All My Loving“.
Take A Listen
Have a listen to the song, then carry on the discussion in the forum.
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Sources And References
- The Beatles – Official song page for “All I’ve Got To Do”.
- The Beatles – Official release note for With The Beatles.
- The Beatles – Official Meet The Beatles! page and US track listing.
- Wikipedia – Background, composition notes, and recording details (cross-check source).
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