Yes It Is: Introduction
This page provides information on The Beatles’ 1965 song, “Yes It Is.” This song is the B-side to “Ticket To Ride,” which was a great success.
In Detail
- Release Date: April 9, 1965 (UK), April 19, 1965 (US)
- Format: 7-inch single (B-side) (A-side being “Ticket to Ride”), also albums
- Recorded: February 16, 1965
- Recording Studio: Abbey Road Studios, London
- Genre: Pop
- Track Duration: 2:41
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: double-tracked lead vocals; as well as the rhythmic semi-acoustic guitar
- Paul McCartney: harmony vocal, also the bass guitar
- George Harrison: harmony vocal, volume-pedalled lead electric guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums, also the tambourine
Where To Find “Yes It Is”
You can still buy this song, as there are a few releases. The original version is on the single and the Past Masters album.
Yes It Is: Background
This song features three-part vocal harmonies, with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison all working pleasantly together. In fact, the harmonic motion is very rich, warm, and detailed. We also see George Harrison’s effective use of the volume pedal guitar, which is prominent throughout.
John Lennon’s Ballad
In an interview with Playboy Magazine, John Lennon says that he tried to emulate the song style of “This Boy.” However, John admits that it “didn’t quite work.”
Paul McCartney was a little more upbeat about the song in Barry Miles’ Many Years From Now (McCartney’s official biography):
“I was there writing it with John, but it was his inspiration that I helped him finish off. Yes It Is is a very fine song of John’s, a ballad, unusual for John. He wrote some beautiful ballads, but I’m known generally as the balladeer.”
Recording Studio
In Abbey Road Recording Studios, London, on February 16, 1965, it took 14 takes before perfecting things. That took around two hours, but they needed to add the complicated vocals, which took a further three hours. George Martin actually suggested that they sing their three-part harmony in the style of a barbershop quartet.
While they spent five hours on “Yes It Is” the band had time to complete George Harrison’s “I Need You.” That also sees the use of George Harrison’s volume pedal guitar.
Yes It Is: Chart Success
Because the A-side was “Ticket To Ride,” and that went to number one in many countries around the world, “Yes It Is” was a popular flip-side.
However, unlike the A-side, this song didn’t appear in the film Help! Be that as it may, the US version of this track says it was. Obviously, this was an error. Incidentally, the American release shows the working title of the film instead, “Eight Arms to Hold You!”
This song was a worthy B-side to a classic song.

Cover Versions
Don Henley performed the song, which is also available on “Bridge School Concerts, Volume 1.” Billy Joel says that “Yes It Is” gave him the influence for his song “Through The Long Night” from 1980. The British comedian Peter Sellers recorded his version as a spoken parody available on “A Celebration of Sellers” (1993).
Take A Listen
This song is well worth another spin. So, take a listen and then leave your thoughts below. You can also comment in the Beatles Forum.