“Another Girl” is a Beatles song from the 1965 album “Help!” and one of Paul McCartney’s punchiest mid-60s pop performances. It sounds cheerful on the surface, but the lyric delivers a clean break-up message, and the bright harmonies make the sting land even harder.
Key Facts
- Release date (UK album): 6 August 1965
- Release date (US Capitol soundtrack): 13 August 1965
- Recorded: 15-16 February 1965
- Studio: EMI Studios (Abbey Road), London
- Genre: Rock
- Track duration: 2:04
- Record label: Parlophone, Capitol, EMI
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney (written mainly by Paul McCartney)
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
- Album placement (UK): side 1, track 5 (between “I Need You” and “You’re Going to Lose That Girl“)
Performers And Instruments
- Paul McCartney: double-tracked lead vocal, bass guitar, lead guitar
- John Lennon: harmony vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar
- George Harrison: harmony vocal, electric rhythm guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find This Track
You can still hear the track on the following release.
In the United States, it also appeared on the Capitol Help! soundtrack album released on 13 August 1965.
Another Girl: Songwriting And Setting
Paul McCartney wrote “Another Girl” while on holiday in Hammamet, Tunisia. The Lennon-McCartney partnership takes the official credit, but McCartney drove the writing.
McCartney has also described the unusual set-up around that trip, where official visitors could appear at the villa without warning.
“You’d be sitting there having a cup of tea when the Russian delegation would be shown through by the government. You didn’t have any control over that. ‘This is one of our cultural guests.’ ‘Hello, how are you?'”
Paul McCartney – Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
Lyrics And Tone
The lyric is blunt: the singer tells his partner he has already moved on. McCartney keeps it tight and direct, and the repeated phrases do the heavy lifting, especially the warning tone in lines like “This time you’d better stop” and “I ain’t no fool”. The music stays upbeat, which makes the message feel even more final.
Vocal Harmonies And Musical Detail
The track leans on three-part harmonies, and they are not just decoration. The block harmonies at the start kick the song into motion, and the backing vocals keep returning like a hook.
One detail makes fans listen twice: this is one of the rare occasions where John Lennon takes the highest harmony part. That twist gives the chorus texture, because your ear expects Paul on top.
Recording Another Girl
The band built the backing track in a single take on 15 February 1965 in Studio Two of EMI Studios, London, during the 7.00pm-10.30pm session.
On the same day, the Beatles were also working on “Ticket to Ride” and “I Need You“. The next day, McCartney overdubbed the lead guitar part that shapes the finished record. The team completed the mixing for “Another Girl” on 18 and 23 February 1965.
Another Girl In The Help! Film
In the film Help! (1965), the song plays over the Bahamas sequence, where McCartney lip-syncs while the band mime the performance with playful instrument-swapping.
Quick Listening Notes
Listen for the sudden lift in the bridge: the song jumps into a brighter gear and then snaps back, which keeps the short running time feeling eventful.
Focus on the harmonies rather than the lead vocal for one play-through; the backing parts often act like the real hook. Notice how the lead guitar line sounds “almost casual” but stays precise, which fits the confident tone of the lyric.
Take A Listen
Have a listen to the song, then share your thoughts in the Beatles Fan Club Forum.
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Sources And References
- The Beatles – Official song page for “Another Girl”.
- The Beatles – Official Help! album page and US soundtrack context.
- Wikipedia – Recording dates, personnel, and film appearance cross-check.
- The Beatles Store – Help! track listing.
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