If I Fell: Introduction
“If I Fell” is a Beatles’ song from their 1964 album, “A Hard Day’s Night.” However, it also appears in the film of the same name.
In Detail
- Release Date: July 10, 1964
- Recorded: February 27, 1964
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Pop
- Track Duration: 2:22
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead and backing vocals; also the acoustic rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: lead vocal, also the bass guitar
- George Harrison: twelve-string lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find “If I Fell”
You can still buy this track on the following albums:
If you need to buy the original version of this song, then get the 1964 album.
If I Fell: Background
Written by John Lennon, but credits go to the songwriting partnership of Lennon and McCartney. This was Lennon attempting to compose a ballad.
“That’s my first attempt to write a ballad proper. That was the precursor to In My Life. It has the same chord sequence as In My Life: D and B minor and E minor, those kinds of things. And it’s semi-autobiographical, but not consciously. It shows that I wrote sentimental love ballads and silly love songs way back when.”
John Lennon
All We Are Saying, David Sheff
Although Lennon is claiming the song, Paul McCartney says it was a joint effort.
“People tend to forget that John wrote some pretty nice ballads. People tend to think of him as an acerbic wit and aggressive and abrasive, but he did have a very warm side to him really which he didn’t like to show too much in case he got rejected. We wrote If I Fell together, but with the emphasis on John because he sang it. It was a nice harmony number, very much a ballad.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
The Beatles would sing “If I Fell” as part of their live act onstage during 1964. Having sung many rock and roll songs as part of their live repertoire, they would sing this song slightly faster than it otherwise should be.
Recording Studio
The Beatles began recording “If I Fell” on February 27th, 1964, in Studio Two at the EMI Studios, London, during the 2.30pm–5.30pm session. They recorded 15 takes, with the last one of those becoming the master copy. This version graces the 1964 album, “A Hard Day’s Night.”
This song also appears in the 1964 film “A Hard Day’s Night.” This is the part of the film where they are setting up the stage for the live concert. It is a memorable scene because John Lennon sings it to the glum-looking drummer, Ringo Starr.
The Fab Four also recorded the song for the BBC Radio show “Top Gear,” airing on July 16, 1964. This version, recorded on July 14th, appears on their 2013 album, “On Air: Live At The BBC, Volume 2.” They recorded the song twice for BBC Radio, but as of yet, only one version is commercially available.
Take A Listen
Finally, whether you like or dislike this song, let us know below.
