How Do You Do It: Introduction
“How Do You Do It” is a song that The Beatles sang in 1962. It is now available on their 1995 album, “Anthology 1.” Indeed, this song became a massive hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963. But it could have been very different!
In Detail
- Release Date: November 20, 1995
- Recorded: September 4, 1962
- Studio: EMI Studios
- Track Duration: 1:57
- Record Label: Apple (UK)
- Songwriter: Mitch Murray
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: vocals, bass guitar
- George Harrison: backing vocals and lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find “How Do You Do It”
You can still buy this song on the following album:
How Do You Do It: Background
After The Beatles had their audition with EMI on June 6, 1962, they returned to the studios again on September 4 to record their first single.
George Martin found a composition by Mitch Murray that he thought was a great song for the starlets.
“It was common in those days to find material for artists by going to Tin Pan Alley and listening to the publishers’ wares. That was a regular part of my life. I spent a lot of time looking for songs, and what I wanted for The Beatles was a hit.
I was convinced that How Do You Do It was a hit song. Not a great piece of songwriting, not the most marvellous song I had ever heard in my life, but I thought it had that essential ingredient which would appeal to a lot of people.”
George Martin
Anthology
So, apart from their audition, this was their first recording at Abbey Road Studios in London. However, the Fab Four didn’t like the song too much. Indeed, they thought that it might damage their reputation somewhat. This is because they have already built up a fan base around their own style of music. Needless to say, they didn’t put their heart into the recording.
Gerry and the Pacemakers’ Version
Still convinced that the song would be perfect as a single, Gerry and the Pacemakers took it on. George Martin produced it for them, of course. This debut single release by the band on March 14, 1963, with the B-side being “Away from You,” became their first number one record in the UK.
In fact, Gerry and the Pacemakers were the first band to take their first three singles to number one in the charts. The others are “I Like It” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
The Beatles’ Version
In the recording studios, The Beatles rushed through “How Do You Do It” so they could spend more time on their own composition, “Love Me Do.” They then convinced both their manager, Brian Epstein, and producer, George Martin, to release their own song instead.
Although “Love Me Do” didn’t reach the top of the charts like fellow Liverpudlians Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Beatles own song did reach a respectable number 17. However, the rest is history, as they say!
The Beatles version became commercially available in 1995. This was due to the release of their “Anthology 1” album. There is only a mono version of this song available because it was common practice at the time to reuse the tapes once a master copy came about, usually a mono mix.
Take A Listen And Compare
Finally, please leave your opinions about this song. You can also comment about the version by Gerry and the Pacemakers. So, which version do you prefer?