I’ve Just Seen A Face: Introduction

“I’ve Just Seen A Face” is a Beatles’ song from their 1965 album “Help!”

In Detail

Release Date: August 6, 1965 (UK), December 6, 1965 (US)
Recorded: 14 June, 1965
Studio: EMI Studios, London
Genre: Folk rock, pop rock, country
Track Duration: 2:07
Record Label: Parlophone
Songwriter: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Performers And Instruments

Paul McCartney: lead vocal, harmony vocal, acoustic lead guitar
John Lennon: acoustic rhythm guitar
George Harrison: acoustic lead guitar
Ringo Starr: brushed snare drum, maracas

Where To Find This Track: “I’ve Just Seen A Face”

You can still buy this track on the following album:

Help! (Album) (1965)

I’ve Just Seen A Face: Background

Written and sung by Paul McCartney “I’ve Just Seen A Face” is track five on the album, sitting between “Tell Me What You See” and the classic “Yesterday.”

Before he recorded the song, McCartney’s aunt said it was one of her favourites. Because of this, the song had the title of “Auntie Gin’s Theme“. However, McCartney needed a more appropriate title for the song, which was leaning towards a country and western style.

“It was slightly country and western from my point of view… it was faster, though; it was a strange up-tempo thing. I was quite pleased with it. The lyric works; it keeps dragging you forward, it keeps pulling you to the next line; there’s an insistent quality to it that I liked.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

The 1964 album “Beatles for Sale” also had songs with a country and western slant. Prior to that, on “A Hard Day’s Night,” the song “I’ll Cry Instead” also had a country and western leaning. So, it’s clear that the band was expressing a taste for that sort of music. The beauty of a band with four talented artists, such as The Beatles, means their music could be very diverse.

Of course, one of the unusual things about this Fab Four song is that they don’t make use of a bass guitar.

Recording Studio

The Beatles began recording “I’ve Just Seen A Face” on June 14, 1965, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 2.30 p.m.–5.30 p.m. session. They also recorded “I’m Down” as well as “Yesterday” on the same day.

The band recorded six takes, and the last one was suitable for the rhythm track and overdubbing, to which they added the maracas with the help of Ringo Starr.

The track was now complete for the UK album “Help!” Just to point out that because the early releases of albums in the US didn’t sync with those in the UK, this song became the leading track on the Rubber Soul album there.

Take A Listen

Finally, press the play button, and then leave us your thoughts below.