What You’re Doing: Introduction
“What You’re Doing” is a song from the 1964 album “Beatles For Sale.” George Harrison plays a guitar riff on his Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar, which is prominent, of course.
The influence of the Rickenbacker on the Fab Four’s friends, The Byrds, was noticeable. Then their influence went back to Harrison for his 1965 song “If I Needed Someone.” So, we can see musical evolution actually taking place here!
In Detail
- Release Date: December 4, 1964 (UK), June 14, 1965 (US)
- Recorded: September 29–30, also the October 26, 1964
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Jangle pop
- Track Duration: 2:30
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- Paul McCartney: double-tracked lead vocal, also the bass guitar
- John Lennon: harmony vocal, also the acoustic rhythm guitar
- George Harrison: harmony vocal, also the twelve-string lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
- George Martin: piano
Where To Find “What You’re Doing”
You can still buy this song, as it is on a famous album. If you need the original version, buy the one from 1964 because the Love album is a mash-up mix. Click on the images below to see what other songs they contain.
What You’re Doing: Background
Not quite poetic license but still unusual, Paul McCartney changes the rhyming scheme somewhat. In short, he rhymes a two-syllable word with two one-syllable words. For example, we get “Look what you’re doing, I’m feeling blue and lonely” (“doing” pairing with “blue and”). Then we get “You got me runnin’, and there’s no fun in it” (“runnin'” pairing with “fun in”).
We also see this effect in “She’s a Woman.” Not surprisingly, that song was also part of the Beatles for Sale sessions.
“What You’re Doing was a bit of a filler. I think it was a little more mine than John’s, but I don’t have a very clear recollection so to be on the safe side, I’d put it as 50-50. It doesn’t sound like an idea that I remember John offering, so it sounds like a way to get a song started, some of them are just that. ‘Hey, what’cha doing?’
You sometimes start a song and hope the best bit will arrive by the time you get to the chorus, but sometimes that’s all you get, and I suspect this was one of them. Maybe it’s a better recording than it is a song; some of them are. Sometimes a good recording would enhance the song.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
Although the song lyrics are simple, there’s enough in there to suggest he is singing about his rocky relationship with his girlfriend, Jane Asher.
Recording Studio
On September 29, 1964, The Beatles began recording “What You’re Doing” at the EMI Studios in London. There were seven takes, with the final one being the better version. The next day, the band recorded five more takes, with the fourth being the best (take 11). These takes came directly after they completed their recording of “Every Little Thing.”
Finally, on October 26, after finishing the cover song, “Honey Don’t,” The Beatles put together the best version. This was the final take of seven on the day (take 19).
Take A Listen
You now have information about this song, so you may need to give it a spin again. Take a listen to it, then leave your thoughts below. Did you know that we have a Beatles Forum as well? You will find the link to it at the top of all articles.