"The Night Before" (McCartney – August 13, 1965)
The Night Before" is a song by The Beatles from the album and film "Help!". It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon/McCartney.
History –
Written at Paul's Wimpole Street home in late 1964 and recorded in a six-day series of sessions which produced nine new songs, Paul's "The Night Before" -- almost certainly another document of his disillusionment with girlfriend Jane Asher -- is one of the more underrated deep Beatles cuts, splitting the difference between a traditional pop song and a 12-bar blues. It's notable mainly for being the first Beatles song featuring an electric piano, which John plays, forsaking (for perhaps the first time) guitar duties.
This was recorded at the third session for Help! just before work work began on "You Like Me Too Much," on which John also plays electric piano.
BBC versions: 1 (for the BBC program The Beatles Invite You To Take A Ticket To Ride).
Composition and recording –
This was recorded at the third session for Help! just before work work began on "You Like Me Too Much," on which John also plays electric piano.
BBC versions: 1 (for the BBC program The Beatles Invite You To Take A Ticket To Ride).
Composition and recording –
John Lennon plays a Hohner Pianet electric piano throughout the song accompanied by McCartney's ascending and descending bass lines. The song's verse has a call and response structure, McCartney's lead vocal alternating with Lennon and George Harrison harmony, singing the chorus "Aaah the night before...", the whole being alternated with a second melody. McCartney plays a guitar solo on the third verse that is recapitulated in part as the coda of the song.
Takes: 2
Personnel
Personnel
John Lennon – Backing vocal, electric piano (1964 Hohner Pianet)
Paul McCartney – Lead vocal (double-tracked), bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1), lead guitar (1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster)
George Harrison – Backing vocal, rhythm guitar (1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster)
Ringo Starr – Drums (Ludwig)
Film performance
George Harrison – Backing vocal, rhythm guitar (1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster)
Ringo Starr – Drums (Ludwig)
Film performance
The song is performed on Salisbury Plain in the second Beatles film, Help! and, just as it finishes, a mine explodes, leading the audience to believe briefly that the Beatles have been blown up.
Live performance
Live performance
McCartney played the song on 15 July 2011 at Yankee Stadium, stating from the stage that it was the first time he had performed the song in concert.
Trivia –
Trivia –
In the film Help!, this is performed during a rather silly chase scene filmed on Salisbury Plain, a famous stretch of land near Stonehenge.
There appears to be some disagreement as to whether Paul or George or both plays the tasty solo; it's actually two Pauls, overdubbed one octave above the other!
In the recording of "The Night Before"George Harrison plays a 1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster, but in the film Help! and the video, he's playing a Gretsch. In some promotional photos he is playing an Gibson dreadnought.
1976 – Judge Griesa gives a 29-page report on the case Lennon/Morris Levy, explaining that a verbal agreement was attempted, which John did not accept.
There appears to be some disagreement as to whether Paul or George or both plays the tasty solo; it's actually two Pauls, overdubbed one octave above the other!
In the recording of "The Night Before"George Harrison plays a 1961 Sonic Blue Fender Stratocaster, but in the film Help! and the video, he's playing a Gretsch. In some promotional photos he is playing an Gibson dreadnought.
1962 – Brian writes to Bert Kaempfert, asking him for Beatles freedom from their contract.
1963 – Studio 1. 10.30am-1.00pm. Recording: 'Misery' (overdub takes 12-16); 'Baby It's You' (overdub takes 4-6). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Stuart Eltham; 2nd Engineer: Geoff Emerick.
– Martin adds piano to 'Misery' and celeste to 'Baby It's You'. 1st Emerick's session.
– The Playhouse Theatre, Manchester. 12.31-1.30pm. Recording and broadcasting of BBC's 'Parade Of The Pops': 'Love Me Do'; 'Please Please Me'.
– First live show for the BBC.
– First live show for the BBC.
– EMI House. Photographic session with Angus Mc Bean for the 'Please Please Me' LP cover.
1965 – Studio 2 (control room only). 11.00am-12.00noon. Mono mixing: "If You've Got Trouble" (from take 1); "Tell Me What You See" (from take 4); 'You're Going To Lose That Girl' (from take 3).
– Studio 2. 12.00noon-5.15pm. Recording: 'That Means A Lot' (take 1, tape reduction take 1 into take 2, overdub onto take 2).
– Studio 2 (control room only). 5.15-6.00pm. Mono mixing: 'That Means A Lot' (from take 1); 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' (from take 9). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Norman Smith; 2nd Engineer: Ken Scott.
1967 – Studio 3. 7.00pm-2.15am. Recording: "Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!" (unnumbered take). Mono mixing: 'Good Morning Good Morning' (remix 1, from take 10). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick; 2nd Engineer: Richard Lush.
Recording of tape of effects (19 pieces of calliope tapes) for "Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!". The "Good Morning Good Morning" remix is for demonstration only.
– Ringo and Maureen, John and Cynthia attend a Chuck Berry concert.
– Brian amid the debris at the Saville Theatre, after yesterday's Chuck Berry concert.
1969 – European premiere of Candy at the Odeon Theater, Kensington, London. Ringo attends.
1970 – US single release: "Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)"/"Who Has Seen The Wind".
1976 – Judge Griesa gives a 29-page report on the case Lennon/Morris Levy, explaining that a verbal agreement was attempted, which John did not accept.
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