Tell Me What You See: Introduction

“Tell Me What You See” is a Beatles’ song on their 1965 album, Help! It’s a soulful song, but it didn’t help when Paul McCartney said it was “not awfully memorable.” Be that as it may, Beatlemaniacs love the song. In fact, it is still a great inspiration to many.

In Detail

Release Date: August 6, 1965 (UK), June 14, 1965 (US)
Recorded: February 18, 1965
Studio: EMI Studios, London
Genre: Rock
Track Duration: 2:36
Record Label: Parlophone, Capitol, EMI
Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Performers And Instruments

Paul McCartney: lead vocal, bass guitar, and electric piano
John Lennon: lead vocal, rhythm guitar, tambourine
George Harrison: güiro
Ringo Starr: drums, claves

Where To Find “Tell Me What You See”

You can still buy this song because it is on the following album:

Help! (Album) (1965)

Tell Me What You See: Background

According to Wikipedia, the verse “Big and black the clouds may be” comes from a religious inscription that had hung in John Lennon’s childhood home in Liverpool. In short, that inscription is here:

However black the clouds may be
In time they’ll pass away
Have faith and trust and you will see
God’s light make bright your day

Paul McCartney treats this song as a filler track and must not rate it too highly, despite most Beatlemaniacs loving it.

“I seem to remember it as mine. I would claim it as a 60–40, but it might have been totally me. Not awfully memorable. Not one of the better songs, but they did a job, they were very handy for albums or B-sides. You need those kind of sides.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

“Tell Me What You See was written completely by McCartney.”
John Lennon
Hit Parader (music magazine) (1972)

Recording Studio

In brief, The Beatles began recording “Tell Me What You See” on February 18, 1965. This was in Studio Two at the EMI Studios in London (6.00–10.30pm session), where they recorded four takes.

During the song, you can hear the distinctive Hohner Pianet electric piano. The same one also features in the songs “The Night Before” and “You Like Me Too Much.” Both of these tracks were for inclusion on the same album, Help!

Obviously, these recently recorded songs prove that the Beatles were exploring different avenues. Therefore, we all benefited from their endeavours.

Take A Listen

Despite Paul McCartney’s earlier quote, we think this is an excellent song, but what do you think? Let us know below in the comments, or try our Beatles Forum (link above).