"I'm a Loser" (Lennon – December 16, 1964)
Beatles for Sale – Side 1, Track 2 (2:31)
YouTube (Shindig performance)
From Wikipedia, Rolling Stone and About.com –
History –
There were several influences contributing to the composition of this song, which John wrote some time in the summer of 1964. On the one hand, it was a reaction to the worship the Beatles were already receiving on the world stage, tied to Lennon's own insecurities; added to this was the influence of Bob Dylan, who Lennon had been listening to since at least the winter of 1963.
The final piece in the puzzle was journalist Kenneth Allsop, who met John on March 23, 1964 and told him that he rather wished Lennon's lyrics were as personal as his recently-published first book, In His Own Write, and not always about young romance. A hurt Lennon, determined to prove Allsop wrong, wrote "I'm A Loser" soon after. (The song does deal with a broken relationship on its surface level, however.)
John specifically used the word "clown" in the song after hearing Dylan use it, which he has said he never otherwise would have done. The inspiration for that, assuming John only heard Dylan's recorded output, would have been 1963's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall."
This song was recorded cleanly, in eight takes, with no rearrangement whatsoever, at the second session for Beatles For Sale, just before work began on their cover of "Mr. Moonlight."
John sings a low G note in this song, the lowest note he could hit (with difficulty). The only other existence in the Beatles canon of John attempting a low G is the last "going down" of "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" (though he does hit it in harmony during the "somebody new" bridge of "Love Me Do").
"I'm A Loser" was considered a candidate for the band's next single, but pulled in favor of "I Feel Fine" after that song was written.
This song was recorded cleanly, in eight takes, with no rearrangement whatsoever, at the second session for Beatles For Sale, just before work began on their cover of "Mr. Moonlight."
John sings a low G note in this song, the lowest note he could hit (with difficulty). The only other existence in the Beatles canon of John attempting a low G is the last "going down" of "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" (though he does hit it in harmony during the "somebody new" bridge of "Love Me Do").
"I'm A Loser" was considered a candidate for the band's next single, but pulled in favor of "I Feel Fine" after that song was written.
Singer Jackie DeShannon was on The Beatles' summer 1964 North American tour. She recalled that Lennon was writing this song on the plane during the tour.
In his 1980 Playboy interview, Lennon said the song was "me in my Dylan period" and added, "Part of me suspects I'm a loser and part of me thinks I'm God Almighty. [Laughs.]" Unterberger said the song was "notable for being perhaps the first Beatles' song to directly reflect the influence of Bob Dylan, thus nudging folk and rock a little closer together toward the folk-rock explosion of the following year." Musicologist Alan Pollack said the song contained "a stronger blend of folk elements than almost anything else The Beatles had done to-date."
Lennon hits a low G in the verses, a note usually reserved for bass singers. This is atypical of Lennon, considering he sang the bulk of his Beatles' songs in a higher, tenor register. However, he also sang a low G in "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" and the backing vocals of "Love Me Do".
The Beatles recorded this song on 14 August 1964, the same day as "Mr. Moonlight" and "Leave My Kitten Alone". It was recorded in eight takes with no overdubs
It was released four months after it was recorded, but beforehand, it was previewed on BBC Radio on 17 August, along with three other songs from Beatles for Sale and also the "I Feel Fine"/"She's a Woman" single
On the original pressings of Beatles for Sale, the title was misprinted as "I'm a Loser".
Recording –
Takes: 8
In his 1980 Playboy interview, Lennon said the song was "me in my Dylan period" and added, "Part of me suspects I'm a loser and part of me thinks I'm God Almighty. [Laughs.]" Unterberger said the song was "notable for being perhaps the first Beatles' song to directly reflect the influence of Bob Dylan, thus nudging folk and rock a little closer together toward the folk-rock explosion of the following year." Musicologist Alan Pollack said the song contained "a stronger blend of folk elements than almost anything else The Beatles had done to-date."
Lennon hits a low G in the verses, a note usually reserved for bass singers. This is atypical of Lennon, considering he sang the bulk of his Beatles' songs in a higher, tenor register. However, he also sang a low G in "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" and the backing vocals of "Love Me Do".
The Beatles recorded this song on 14 August 1964, the same day as "Mr. Moonlight" and "Leave My Kitten Alone". It was recorded in eight takes with no overdubs
It was released four months after it was recorded, but beforehand, it was previewed on BBC Radio on 17 August, along with three other songs from Beatles for Sale and also the "I Feel Fine"/"She's a Woman" single
On the original pressings of Beatles for Sale, the title was misprinted as "I'm a Loser".
Takes: 8
Personnel
John Lennon ― Lead vocal (double-tracked), acoustic rhythm guitar (1964 Gibson J160E), harmonica (Hohner)
Paul McCartney ― Harmony vocal, bass guitar (1963 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison ― Lead guitar (1963 Gretsch 6119 "Tennessean")
Ringo Starr ―Drums (1963 Black Oyster Pearl Ludwig kit), tambourine
Released: December 4, 1964 (UK), December 15, 1964 (US)
The first of John Lennon's songs to be directly influenced by Bob Dylan, I'm A Loser was written in the summer of 1964 and recorded for the Beatles For Sale album.
Lennon was inspired further by an encounter with the journalist Kenneth Allsop, whom Lennon met in March 1964.
Allsop told Lennon that his songs lacked the depth and meaning of his book In His Own Write. He suggested that Lennon try to write more autobiographically, basing his songs on personal experiences rather than generic sentiments of love.
The encounter marked a turning point for Lennon, and Allsop's advice played a key part in inspiring him to write In My Life in 1965.
Looking back on it I think songs like "I'm A Loser" and "Nowhere Man" were John's cries for help. We used to listen to quite a lot of country and western songs and they are all about sadness and "I lost my truck" so it was quite acceptable to sing "I'm a loser". You didn't really think about it at the time, it's only later you think, God! I think it was pretty brave of -- -- John.
Released: December 4, 1964 (UK), December 15, 1964 (US)
The first of John Lennon's songs to be directly influenced by Bob Dylan, I'm A Loser was written in the summer of 1964 and recorded for the Beatles For Sale album.
Lennon was inspired further by an encounter with the journalist Kenneth Allsop, whom Lennon met in March 1964.
Allsop told Lennon that his songs lacked the depth and meaning of his book In His Own Write. He suggested that Lennon try to write more autobiographically, basing his songs on personal experiences rather than generic sentiments of love.
The encounter marked a turning point for Lennon, and Allsop's advice played a key part in inspiring him to write In My Life in 1965.
Looking back on it I think songs like "I'm A Loser" and "Nowhere Man" were John's cries for help. We used to listen to quite a lot of country and western songs and they are all about sadness and "I lost my truck" so it was quite acceptable to sing "I'm a loser". You didn't really think about it at the time, it's only later you think, God! I think it was pretty brave of -- -- John.
Trivia –
Singer Jackie DeShannon is often cited as having heard John write "I'm A Loser" on a plane between tour stops, but that's impossible, as she didn't join the group on tour until August 1964, after the band had already recorded the song. It's possible she merely heard John playing the finished song.
The Beatles debuted this number on an episode of ABC-TV's Shindig!, which often traveled to London to present British bands performing live. Paul can be seen in the footage forgetting the line "I've lost someone who's dear to me," prompting a smirk by John. However, Paul can be seen mouthing the words off-mic, as if to remind John of the words, as well.
This song was mistakenly labeled "I'm A Losser" on initial pressings of Beatles For Sale.
Today in Beatles History (From The Internet Beatles Album) January 29 –
1969 – "Yellow Submarine" LP, 2nd week in the ranking (UK New Musical Express chart).
– Apple Studios. Time unknown. Recording: "I Want You" (later known as "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"); "The One After 909"; "Not Fade Away"; "Mailman Bring Me No More Blues"; "Teddy Boy"; "Besame Mucho". Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons.
Singer Jackie DeShannon is often cited as having heard John write "I'm A Loser" on a plane between tour stops, but that's impossible, as she didn't join the group on tour until August 1964, after the band had already recorded the song. It's possible she merely heard John playing the finished song.
The Beatles debuted this number on an episode of ABC-TV's Shindig!, which often traveled to London to present British bands performing live. Paul can be seen in the footage forgetting the line "I've lost someone who's dear to me," prompting a smirk by John. However, Paul can be seen mouthing the words off-mic, as if to remind John of the words, as well.
This song was mistakenly labeled "I'm A Losser" on initial pressings of Beatles For Sale.
Today in Beatles History (From The Internet Beatles Album) January 29 –
1964– EMI Pathe Marconi Studios, Paris, France. Late morning/afternoon. Recording: 'Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand' (takes 1-11); "Sie Liebt Dich" (takes 1-14); "Can't Buy Me Love" (takes 1-4). Editing: "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" (of takes 5, 7). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Norman Smith; 2nd Engineer: Jacques Esmenjaud.
1st session outside Abbey Road.
– "She Loves You", 22nd week in the Top 30 (UK New Musical Express chart).
– "Please Please Me" LP, 45th week in the Top 10 (UK New Musical Express chart).
– "With The Beatles" number 1, 10th week (UK New Musical Express chart).
1966 – "We Can Work It Out" number 1, 3rd week, recovering this position for one week only (Billboard).
– "Please Please Me" LP, 45th week in the Top 10 (UK New Musical Express chart).
– "With The Beatles" number 1, 10th week (UK New Musical Express chart).
1966 – "We Can Work It Out" number 1, 3rd week, recovering this position for one week only (Billboard).
– The Vic Lewis Organization and NEMS Enterprises announce their merger.
1967 – On a Sunday "Soundarama" presentation at the Saville Theatre, Brian presents, in two houses, the Who, the Jimi Hendrix Experience (on their theatre debut), the Koobas, and the Thoughts. Epstein and the Beatles attend.
– Apple Studios. Time unknown. Recording: "I Want You" (later known as "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"); "The One After 909"; "Not Fade Away"; "Mailman Bring Me No More Blues"; "Teddy Boy"; "Besame Mucho". Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons.
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