TOP 100 SONGS OF THE BEATLES: 99

“Yes It Is” (Lennon, April 19, 1965)   

B-Side to “Ticket to Ride”
YouTube (Take 1)

From Wikipedia, Rolling Stone, The Internet Beatles Album and About.com –

"Yes It Is" was one of Lennon's least favorite compositions, along with "Run for Your Life", "It’s Only Love" and "Dig a Pony". In his 1980 interview with Playboy, he described it as an attempt to rewrite "This Boy" that "didn't work". Paul McCartney on the other hand described it as "a very fine song of John's" and stated that, for his part, he'd only "helped him finish [it] off".

Over the course of a five hour recording session, the Beatles attempted fourteen takes of the basic track before perfecting it, more than any other song they recorded in 1965. It was recorded on 16 February, the same day that they completed Harrison's "I Need You". After completing the rhythm track, Lennon, McCartney and Harrison recorded their vocal harmonies in three hours, singing live together.

"Yes It Is" was released as the B-side of "Ticket to Ride" in both the UK and the US. American pressings of the single erroneously show "Yes It Is" as being from the film Eight Arms to Hold You (Help!), in which it did not appear.

The song was included on Beatles VI in the US, and on subsequent compilation albums including Love Songs, the British version of the Rarities album, Past Masters, Volume One (on which it made its first true stereo appearance), and also on Anthology 2 in an alternative version that combines the second and fourteenth takes. The original mono single mix appears on the Mono Masters CD as part of The Beatles in Mono box set.

History –

A doo-wop style ballad that John, its songwriter, would later shrug off as an attempt to re-write his earlier "This Boy," although many Beatles fans feel this song is actually superior to it.

The lyrics have nevertheless fascinated Beatles fans, with John admitting for the first time that "it's my pride" which makes him so unhappy with his new love. The mere fact that she wears a red dress, like his ex did, is enough to make him sad! (Contrast this with the lyrics of "Baby's In Black," another important stylistic and lyrical predecessor to this song.)

This was the second Beatles song to be sung in three-part lead harmony, a gimmick they wouldn't try again until 1969's "Because."

George's use of the tone pedal represents one of the very first guitar effects on a Beatles record, giving the chords an appropriately eerie quality that matches the singer's reveries.

From Rolling Stone –

As he was with much of his early work, Lennon was dismissive of "Yes It Is"; he said it was "me trying a rewrite of 'This Boy,' but it didn't work." But "Yes It Is" features some of the most intricate vocals of any Beatles song; like "This Boy," it was an attempt to mimic the three-part harmonies of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. It took Lennon, McCartney and Harrison multiple takes to nail the song's delicate mix of voices.


In the lyrics, Lennon showed the honesty that would mark his songwriting after 1965: His "pride" is the reason he can let go of a lost love. McCartney liked "Yes It Is": "[It's] a very fine song of John's, a ballad, unusual for him," he said. "I was there writing it with John, but it was his inspiration." Harrison used an early effects pedal to add gentle sobs of pedal-steel-like guitar, giving it a subtle Nashville spin.

Recording –

Takes: 14

Personnel

John Lennon: lead vocals, rhythm guitar (Gibson J160E)
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead guitar (Gretsch 6119 "Tennessean")
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig), tambourine

Trivia –

The outtake of "Yes It Is" featured on Anthology, with its clearer harmonies, is often thought to be superior to the officially released version.

As with its a-side, "Ticket To Ride," this song came out well in advance of the Help! movie, and so also incorrectly features these words on the Capitol 45: "From The United Artists Release 'Eight Arms To Hold You'." The difference is, "Yes It Is" was never featured in the film at all!

Today in Beatles History (From The Internet Beatles Album) January 1 –

1962 – Test session for Decca due to start at 11.00am. Decca Studios, at West Hampstead. Recording: "Like Dreamers Do"; "Money (That's What I Want)"; "'Till There Was You"; "The Sheik Of Araby"; "To Know Her Is To Love Her"; "Take Good Care Of My Baby"; "Memphis, Tennessee"; "Sure To Fall"; "Hello Little Girl"; "Three Cool Cats"; "Crying Waiting Hoping"; "Love Of The Loved"; "September In The Rain"; "Besame Mucho"; "Searchin'''. After the session, Brian returns to Liverpool.– Decca's test session, at West Hampstead, of Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.

1963 – End of last season of Star Club performances.– Tour of Ireland begins.

1964 – "Beatles Christmas Show" at the Astoria, Finsbury Park, London.– "She Loves You", 18th week in the Top 10 (UK New Musical Express chart).– "Please Please Me" LP, 41st week in the Top 10 (UK New Musical Express chart).– "With The Beatles" number 1, 6th week (UK New Musical Express chart).– "I Want To Hold Your Hand" number 1, 5th week (UK New Musical Express chart).

1965 – "Another Beatles Christmas Show" at the Hammersmith Odeon, London (two performances).

1969 – "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by "Marmalade" number 1 (UK Record Retailer chart).

1981 – Scheduled UK release date for "Walking On Thin Ice".

Photos from Google.