The Night Before: Introduction
“The Night Before” is a Beatles’ song on their 1965 album, Help! It also features in the film of the same name.
In Detail
- Publisher: Northern Songs
- Release Date: August 6, 1965 (UK), August 13, 1965 (US)
- Recorded: February 17, 1965
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Pop rock
- Track Duration: 2:33
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriter: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- Paul McCartney: double-tracked lead vocals, bass, lead guitar
- John Lennon: electric piano, harmony vocals
- George Harrison: rhythm guitar, lead guitar, harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr: drums, maracas
Where To Find “The Night Before”
You can still buy the song as it is on the following album:
The Night Before: Background
“That’s Paul again. I’ll just say it’s Paul, meaning I don’t remember anything about it except it was in the movie Help!”
John Lennon
All We Are Saying, David Sheff
Within the song, there is a call-and-response structure where the second line is heard as a direct response to the first. Paul McCartney sings the lead vocal call, while John Lennon and George Harrison sing in harmony in response.
McCartney: “We said our goodbyes”
Lennon/Harrison: “Ahhh, the night before …”
McCartney: “Love was in your eyes”
Lennon/Harrison: “Ahhh, the night before …”
“The Night Before” is a typical Beatles’ song from this period, which includes their trademark harmonies. We also get to see the Fab Four sing this song in the film, Help! This is while they are still the target of the eastern cult trying to get the ring from Ringo’s finger.
In this part of the film, they record the song at Salisbury Plain, in the shadow of Stonehenge, under the protection of the British Army!
Meanwhile, underground lurks danger in the form of an explosive plot. Moreover, the gang members underground are listening to The Beatles’ “She’s A Woman.” Once they play the last note of “The Night Before,” an explosion occurs, and The Beatles have to flee again. This is one of only a handful of Beatles’ films, and so, to Beatlemaniacs, it’s a classic!
Recording Studio
On February 17, 1965, during the 2.00pm–7.00pm session at the EMI Studios in London, The Beatles began recording the song. After only two takes, the band managed a good rhythm track, to which they overdubbed the vocals, lead guitar, and maracas.
John Lennon’s Hohner Pianet electric piano part is prominent throughout the song. Meanwhile, George Harrison played his trusty Gretsch-Tennessean guitar. When speaking about the guitar solos, John Lennon remembers that Harrison and McCartney played “the same break exactly, both playing but in different octaves.”
Take A Listen
Although you may be familiar with the song, give it a spin again. Then, tell us what you think about it. You can use the comments below or try our massive Beatles Forum (the link at the top of every article).