I’ll Follow The Sun: Introduction
“I’ll Follow The Sun” is a Fab Four song that is on their 1964 album, “Beatles For Sale.” However, a version of their sessions on BBC Radio is also available. In fact, that version is on their 2013 album, “On Air: Live At The BBC, Volume 2.”
In Detail
- Release Date: December 4, 1964
- Recorded: October 18, 1964
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Folk rock, country
- Track Duration: 1:49
- Record Labels: EMI, Parlophone, Capitol
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- Paul McCartney: lead vocal, bass guitar, acoustic lead guitar
- John Lennon: harmony vocal, also the acoustic rhythm guitar
- George Harrison: backing vocals, also the electric lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: percussion
Where To Find “I’ll Follow The Sun”
You can still buy this track on the following albums:
I’ll Follow The Sun: Background
Written in the late 1950s by Paul McCartney, “I’ll Follow The Sun” is a ballad that he also sang. As usual, though, the credit goes to the successful songwriting partnership of Lennon-McCartney.
“I wrote that in my front parlour in Forthlin Road. I was about 16. I’ll Follow The Sun was one of those very early ones. I seem to remember writing it just after I’d had the flu…”
“…I remember standing in the parlour, with my guitar, looking out through the lace curtains of the window, and writing that one.”
Paul McCartney
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn
The band recorded it on a basic tape recorder early in 1960 while taking advantage of the ambiance in the echo chamber, aka the family bathroom at McCartney’s house, 20 Forthlin Road, Liverpool. Indeed, that recording still exists as a bootleg, which has Stuart Sutcliffe on bass. This recording also has slightly different lyrics.
Pushed Back
The Beatles were building up a reputation around rock and roll, so the ballads had to wait until they became famous.
“It wouldn’t have been considered good enough [for live acts]. I wouldn’t have put it up. As I said before, we had this R&B image in Liverpool—a rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, hardish image with the leather. So I think that songs like I’ll Follow The Sun, ballads like that, got pushed back to later.”
Paul McCartney
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn
Recording Studio
The Fab Four needed some songs for their new album, “Beatles For Sale,” so they took another look at “I’ll Follow The Sun.” However, in the beginning it was a rockabilly shuffle, so, after rearranging it, they gave it a sound more like a gentle cha-cha for the album.
They recorded it properly on October 18, 1964, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 2.30pm–11.30pm session.
“On the record we got Ringo to tap his knees. We were thinking in terms of singles, and the next one had to always be different. We didn’t want to fall into the Supremes trap, where they all sounded rather similar, so to that end, we were always keen on having varied instrumentation. Ringo couldn’t keep changing his drum kit, but he could change his snare, tap a cardboard box, or slap his knees.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now
There were 8 takes that day, with the last one featuring an electric guitar solo. Also on this day, they would record “I Feel Fine,” “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Words of Love.” There was also the remake of “Mr Moonlight” which sits after “I’ll Follow The Sun” on the album.
The version on their 2013 album, “On Air: Live At The BBC, Volume 2,” comes from their BBC performance for the radio show “Top Gear,” airing on November 26, 1964.
Take A Listen
Finally, leave us a comment or two below about this song.
