Got To Get You Into My Life: Introduction
“Got To Get You Into My Life” is a Beatles’ song on their “Revolver” album from 1966. However, the song (take 5) is also on their 1996 album “Anthology 2.”
In Detail
- Publisher: Northern Songs
- Released: August 5, 1966
- Recorded: April 7, 8 and 11; May 18; June 17, 1966
- Studio: EMI Studios
- Genre: Rock, psychedelic soul, rhythm and blues
- Track Duration: 2:27 (stereo version), 2:35 (mono version)
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Performers And Instruments
- Paul McCartney: double-tracked lead vocal, bass guitar
- John Lennon: organ **
- George Harrison: lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine
Other Performers
- Eddie Thornton, Ian Hamer, and Les Condon: trumpet
- Alan Branscombe, Peter Coe: tenor saxophone
** At the time of writing, it is unclear if John Lennon played rhythm guitar in this song.
Where To Find “Got To Get You Into My Life”
You can still buy this song on the following albums:
Got To Get You Into My Life: Background
Written by Paul McCartney, but with credit going to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, “Got to Get You into My Life” is a song about drugs. Although slightly ambiguous, the lyrics leave nothing to the imagination. However, naive listeners could easily think it’s a heavy love song. Be that as it may, the tune is soulful, with a bold and brazen brass section throughout.
This was the start of a period through which The Beatles would become more creative in the studio. With the psychedelic era just around the corner and drugs such as marijuana taking a grip, The Beatles were at the forefront of a new revolution.
“Got To Get You Into My Life was one I wrote when I had first been introduced to pot…. I didn’t have a hard time with it, and to me, it was mind-expanding—literally mind-expanding.
So, Got To Get You Into My Life is really a song about that; it’s not to a person; it’s actually about pot…. So it’s actually an ode to pot, like someone else might write an ode to chocolate or a good claret.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
Paul McCartney also produced the song for Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers in 1966. Indeed, they took it to number 6 in the UK charts.
In 1976, six years after The Beatles disbanded, their song became a single in a few countries. In Canada, it reached number one, and in America, it reached number 3 in the “Cash Box Top 100” charts.
However, it only managed to reach number 93 in Australia. In America, this was the last Beatles’ single to reach the top ten for almost 20 years. This was when “Free as a Bird” hit the charts in 1995.
Recording Studio
The Beatles began recording “Got To Get You Into My Life” on April 7, 1966, in Studio Three of the EMI Studios, London, during the 8.15 p.m.–1.30 a.m. session. They recorded 5 takes, with the last of those appearing on the 1996 album “Anthology 2.” This version features a harmonium rather than the brass and woodwind arrangement found on the “Revolver” album.
The next day, they recorded takes 6–8, with take 8 being suitable for the master rhythm track. A guitar piece added on April 11 saw the track remain idle until May 18. On this day, they added vocals and other instruments, along with the familiar, prominent brass section. However, it wasn’t until the 17th of June that final tweaks and a guitar overdub took place to complete the song.
Take A Listen To The Beatles Version
Finally, give us your opinions about this song.