Any Time At All: Introduction
“Any Time At All” is a Beatles’ composition that is on their 1964 album, “A Hard Day’s Night.”
In Detail
- Release Date: July 10, 1964 (UK)
- Recorded: June 2, 1964
- Studio: Abbey Road Studios
- Genre: Rock
- Track Duration: 2:13
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar, electric guitar (concluding chord)
- Paul McCartney: co-lead vocal, bass, piano
- George Harrison: 12-string lead guitar, classical guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums, cowbell
Where To Find “Any Time At All”
At the moment, you’ll be able to buy the song on the following album:
Any Time At All: Background
Written primarily by John Lennon but with the credit going to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, “Any Time At All” sees the instrumental middle eight come from Paul McCartney.
“An effort at writing ‘It Won’t Be Long.’ Same ilk: C to A minor, C to A minor—with me shouting.”
John Lennon
Playboy Magazine (1980 interview)
John Lennon’s “Any Time At All” line sees Paul McCartney echoing this shortly after because Lennon couldn’t quite reach the high notes. From those screaming high notes, the song quickly transforms into sweeter, much warmer lyrics with great effect.
Although the song is on the “A Hard Day’s Night” album, it doesn’t appear at all in the film of the same name. This could possibly be due to the fact that it is an “unfinished” song.
While recording the track on June 2, 1964, Paul McCartney’s instrumental middle eight could have had lyrics added. Indeed, this was their intention. However, possibly because of the timescale involved, by the time mixing took place, lyrics were still not available.
Incomplete Song
There are two lines that the band omitted because John didn’t think they added much to the song. Those lines are, “I’ll be waiting here all alone/Just like I’ve always done.” Even though the track comes to us in a state that is “almost as intended,” the song is still a catchy one. Moreover, it captures John Lennon at his early best and suits the album perfectly.
George Martin added one final trick: a piano solo lightly echoing George Harrison’s guitar work, note-for-note. Of course, we can never overlook the magic of George Martin.
Recording “Any Time At All”
The Beatles recorded “Any Time At All” on June 2, 1964, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 2.30pm–5.30pm session. There were 7 takes in that afternoon session, but they recorded 4 more takes during the 7 p.m.–10 p.m. session too. Between those sessions, they also recorded “Things We Said Today” and “When I Get Home.”
Take 11 was suitable for the master rhythm track and they overdubbed piano, guitar and vocals to that. On the album, this song kicks off side two, just before “I’ll Cry Instead.”
Take A Listen
Listen to the song, then leave us a thought below.