Sie Liebt Dich: Introduction
“Sie Liebt Dich” is the B-side of The Beatles’ German single “Komm, gib mir deine Hand” from 1964. Indeed, the translations of these songs are “She Loves You” and “Come, Give Me Your Hand” (I Want to Hold Your Hand).
This is The Beatles, fondly remembering their roots in the clubs while in Hamburg, Germany, and giving something back. This German recording was also a single release in the United States. However, it also features on The Beatles’ “Past Masters” album.
In Detail
- Release Date: February 4, 1964 (Germany); May 21, 1964 (United States); March 7, 1988 (“Past Masters“, part of a box set)
- Recorded: January 29, 1964
- Studio: EMI Pathe Marconi Studios, Paris
- Format: 7″ Single (Germany) (B-side) (A-side being Komm, gib mir deine Hand)
- Genre: Rock and roll
- Track Duration: 2:19
- Record Label: Odeon Records (Germany), Swan Records 4182 (US), Parlophone, Capitol, Apple (“Past Masters”)
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney, Jean Nicolas, and Lee Montague
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: vocal, also rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: vocal and the bass guitar
- George Harrison: harmony vocal, also the lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find “Sie Liebt Dich”
Of course, you can still buy this song as it was the B-side of a single. However, it is also available on an album now.
Sie Liebt Dich: Background
As well as playing at the Cavern Club in their native Liverpool, The Beatles would gig regularly in Hamburg, Germany. This was in the early 1960s, when the bands tried to establish themselves. In reality, earning a living was their number-one priority at the time. Obviously, at this stage, they would never imagine just how things would turn out.
The German audiences loved The Beatles. The Germans were also not aware that they were supporting future international superstars. As a matter of fact, the Fab Four became the best band on Earth, ever! So, these two songs, sung in German by The Beatles, became a sort of “thank you” to those faithful fans in Hamburg.
Recording Studio
While The Beatles were in Paris for a 19-day series of concerts at the city’s Olympia Theatre, they became aware of the proposals to record them singing in the German language. At first, the band members were reluctant to do this, but George Martin gently persuaded them.
After learning the new lyrics phonetically, recording began. However, the entire music arrangement had to start again from scratch. This is because they could not trace the original two-track take of “She Loves You.”
In essence, EMI accidentally destroyed the original 2-track- tapes after a mono mix-down. This meant that they could not separate the rhythm track from the English vocals in the mono mix.
The Beatles began recording “Sie Liebt Dich” on January 29, 1964, at EMI’s Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris. All in all, there were 13 takes of the new rhythm track. However, with the vocals being in the German language, many takes were necessary. Obviously, they kept the original “yeah, yeah, yeah” refrain intact.
“They were right; actually, it wasn’t necessary for them to record in German, but they weren’t graceless; they did a good job.”
George Martin
Sie Liebt Dich: Chart Success
Outside Germany, they released “Sie Liebt Dich” as a single in America, with the B-side being “I’ll Get You” (in English). This only peaked at number 97 in the American charts.
Meanwhile, in Australia, they released “Komm, gib mir deine Hand” b/w “Sie liebt dich” by “Die Beatles” on June 21, 1964, while on tour there.
The Australians loved The Beatles, possibly having the most fanatical supporters of all there, but this German recording was the only Beatles’ single that never got into the charts down under.
Take A Listen
If you have not heard The Beatles sing in German, well, here it is. So, give it a spin and leave us your opinions below.
