You Know My Name (Look Up The Number): Introduction
“You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)” is the B-side of the Beatles’ single “Let It Be.” This was also the last Beatles’ single release while the band was performing together. Indeed, we had to wait a further 25 years for a new Beatles’ single release to make the charts.
That, of course, was “Free As A Bird” when the remaining Beatles got together for the Anthology series. “You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)” appears on “Past Masters” as well as the Anthology 2 album.
In Detail
- Release Date: March 6, 1970 (UK), March 11, 1970 (US)
- Recorded: May 17, June 7 & 8, 1967; also April 30, 1969
- Format: 7-inch single (B-side) (A-side being “Let It Be”)
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Comedy rock, jazz, experimental rock, avant-garde, novelty
- Track Duration: 4:21 (Mono version); 5:45 (Extended stereo mix)
- Record Label: Apple Records
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead vocals, backing vocals, spoken vocals, guitar, maracas, and sound effects
- Paul McCartney: lead vocals, piano, bass guitar, handclaps, and some sound effects
- George Harrison: lead guitar, also the vibraphone
- Ringo Starr: drums, timbales, bongos
Other Performers
- Brian Jones: alto saxophone
- Mal Evans: sound effects
Where To Find “You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)”
You can still buy this song because it is contained in a few releases. If you need the original song only, avoid the Anthology 2 version.
You Know My Name (Look Up The Number): Background
The Beatles have experimented with many different music styles since the heady days of Beatlemania. This multi-segmented track, with its roots in 1967, is a comedy number with a touch of music hall to boot. However, there is no doubt that there are some similarities to Monty Python that shine through as well.
The problem we have with a reference to Monty Python is that those TV programmes were not available until 1969. However, George Martin had a massive connection to British comedians, working with many of them intensely after he took control of the Parlophone record label.
Of course, the individual Beatles rubbed shoulders with the Pythons from time to time. So, just maybe the Pythonesque sound was evolving and added as an afterthought when The Beatles went back to look at the track in April 1969.
“You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)” came about when John Lennon got an idea while at Paul McCartney’s home.
“That was a piece of unfinished music that I turned into a comedy record with Paul. I was waiting for him in his house, and I saw the phone book was on the piano with, ‘You know the name; look up the number.’ That was like a logo, and I just changed it.”
John Lennon
All We Are Saying, David Sheff.
Insane Track
While the track may appear slightly unconventional, it does get approval from Paul McCartney:
“People are only just discovering things like ‘You Know My Name (Look Up the’Number)’—probably my favourite Beatles’ track! It’s so insane. All the memories … I mean, what would you do if a guy like John Lennon turned up at the studio and said, ‘I’ve got a new song‘. I said, ‘What’s the words?‘ and he replied, ‘You know my name; look up the number‘. I asked, ‘What’s the rest of it?‘ ‘No, no other words, those are the words. And I want to do it like a mantra!‘”
Paul McCartney.
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn.
So, unless Paul was only joking, this is his favourite Beatles’ track! Obviously, The Beatles had a little fun while they were experimenting with something as surreal as this.
After the beginning, which sounds so similar to “Baby You’re A Rich Man,” the song goes into a nightclub-type atmosphere.
"Good evening and welcome to Slaggers
Featuring Denis O'Bell
Come on Ringo, let's hear it for Denis"
Denis O’Bell is obviously a play on Denis O’Dell, who was an associate producer on the film “A Hard Day’s Night.” As for the reference to Slaggers, well, that could easily be open to any interpretation, of course!
Recording Studio
Although there were many takes on three days between May and June 1967, the band shelved this song for a couple of years. However, on April 30, 1969, John Lennon and Paul McCartney added more vocals and sound effects. This included silly voices and other strange sounds, such as Mal Evans digging around gravel with a spade, which Paul McCartney found very funny.
In the UK, this track became part of The Beatles’ last single while the band performed together as a group (B-side to Let It Be). To all intents and purposes, the band was already a spent force by then. It’s not that they ran out of ideas; on the contrary, they were far from it. The Beatles were just not getting along together any more.
On April 10, 1970, Paul McCartney made an official announcement that he was leaving the band. However, John Lennon had told many people prior to this that he would be leaving the band.
“You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)” shows the humorous side of The Beatles, of course. Be that as it may, it does help mark the end of an era. Since this was the B-side, could we actually say it was The Beatles’ last song?
Chart Success
Of course, with this song being a B-side to a classic Beatles song, it does get recognition. The single got to number one in many countries, such as the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, it stuck at number two in the UK. Perhaps the album that topped the charts for three weeks and was on the charts for 59 weeks had something to do with that.
Nonetheless, this was the Fab Four’s last single together as a band, and they previously had 17 number one’s in the UK. And so the curtain was closed on this remarkable band.
Take A Listen To “You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)”
Finally, give the song another spin and see what you think. Use the comments section below or our massive Beatles Forum.
