Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand: Introduction
The Beatles released a single in Germany called “Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand” together with the B-side “Sie liebt dich.” This single from 1964 translates into “Come, Give Me Your Hand” and “She Loves You” respectfully.
Obviously, the A-side is the German version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” This German single was also a single release in Australia, too. Be that as it may, both tracks are available on their “Past Masters” album now.
In Detail
- Release Date: 7-inch Single, February 4, 1964 (Germany), June 21, 1964 (Australia), album, March 7, 1988 (UK)
- Recorded: October 17, 1963 and January 29, 1964
- Studio: EMI’s Pathé Marconi Studios, Paris
- Genre: Rock and roll
- Track Duration: 2:26
- Record Label: Odeon Records (Germany), Parlophone, Capitol, Apple (UK, US)
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney, Jean Nicolas, Heinz Hellmer
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- George Harrison: vocals, lead guitar, and handclaps
- John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar, also handclaps
- Paul McCartney: vocals, bass guitar and handclaps
- Ringo Starr: drums, handclaps
Where To Find “Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand”
You can still buy this song on the following releases:
Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand (Single) (1964)
Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand: Background
The Beatles reluctantly agreed to make a couple of songs in the German language, due to a little encouragement from George Martin. Odeon Records, the German sublabel of EMI, told Martin and manager Brian Epstein that by doing so, they would sell more records.
Before recording the songs, they had to get a translation of them first. Camillo Felgen from Luxembourg had the honour of doing that. He was a singer, lyricist, and television/radio presenter, but The Beatles needed help to pronounce the words and phrases as well.
So, while The Beatles were on a 19-day visit to France, Felgen was to meet up with the band and start teaching them the correct pronunciation.
Recording Studio
The Beatles cancelled the original date of January 27, 1963, due to their original doubts.
However, after complying with George Martin’s pleas, they began recording two German-language songs at EMI’s Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris on January 29th, with “Komm, gib mir deine Hand” being the first. The other being “Sie liebt dich,” of course.
Using the original rhythm track from the song’s original recording (October 17, 1963), they were able to overdub their new German-language version. They could not do this for “Sie liebt dich” because there is only a mono version of “She Loves You” available. Therefore, the German version of “She Loves You” is a completely new recording.
Chart Success
While The Beatles were on tour in Australia, they released “Komm, gib mir deine Hand” with “Sie liebt dich” by “Die Beatles” as a single on June 21, 1964. However, it was the only Beatles’ single not to chart Down Under.
On the 1988 album “Past Masters,” both songs are the original German recordings.
Take A Listen
Finally, have a listen to the Beatles singing in German. Then, leave us a comment on how well they did.
