Comments on: I’ll Be Back

By: John W White

John W White — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 06:16:33 +0000

Heard it on the radio today. Brought me back to late grade school.

By: johnpaulanthonywarne

johnpaulanthonywarne — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 07:00:50 +0000

Often heard this Lennon number back in the mid sixties, initially from the Beatles 65′ album where it sounds even better than on the UK A Hard Day’s Night release. After the sad news of December 8th, 1980 when history was altered forever not for better, the deejay on an oldies radio station said, “And now we pay tribute to the late John Lennon” and this song came out. How haunting and sad indeed, for we all want him back!

By: Maria

Maria — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 05:38:01 +0000

I agree with your statement that Lennon was at his “vocal” peak in this more “raw” type of sound. Lyrically, John hadn’t quite hit his all time high until help or Rubber Soul. (In my opinion) He was still finding himself in a sense. At about “Help!” “When We Can Work It Out” was written this is when john’s Voice had really evolved in a sense. His range was better and he had grown up a bit and took more time on his writing. He hadn’t been introduced to LSD yet, but he was smoking marijuana. (As were all the other Beatles. You can tell in the filming of help.) Paul’s songs “Yesterday” And “Michelle” were the beginning of his very creative ballad writing. In all, In a sense, John’s more “rock and roll style voice” did reach its high at this time but not his range and writing.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 14:58:31 +0000

Paul’s memories have consistently been corroborated by others who were present. Geoff Emerick. George Martin, who was quoted saying, “Paul had the majority of the creative ideas in the Beatles.” John’s memories have consistently been shown to false (cf his memories of the writing of Eleanor Rigby and Pete Shotton’s quite convincing refutation). I love ’em both, equally, they were, together, quite obviously, the beating heart of the great pop music effort ever – but the fact is, Paul is by far – by far – the more credible source. And I disagree completely with the idea that “John drove the bus in the beginning.” Paul and John drove the bus in the beginning and middle and Paul drove it toward the end.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:40:45 +0000

According to Galeazzo Frudua, Paul is singing two sets of harmony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ikoo3rqJKQ

By: steve

steve — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 19:06:37 +0000

Yeah I agree. He is fantastic

By: steve

steve — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 19:06:05 +0000

The first time I heard this song was the night John died. One of the news coverage played this song with a montage of early Beatlemania and I remember the words “If you break my heart, I’ll go, but I’ll be back again” and to this day this song brings back that night when this incredible genius was taken from us. I love his voice and the whole song. Just magical

By: dgw28

dgw28 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 00:52:50 +0000

Ditto, a really beautiful song. Everything about it…perfect

By: ian dutton

ian dutton — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 20:10:18 +0000

The guy who does all those Beatles harmonies on YouTube is Galeazzo Frudua. He is a great at demonstrating the harmonies. I thought it was simply one high, one low and maybe one in the middle, but if you look up eg If I Fell you will be amazed! He does all the vocals together and then sings each individual part, e.g. John’s verse. Paul’s chorus etc. I did not think it was possible to increase my love of The Beatles music, but this man has done so. Ps If you like a challenge, I recommend downloading a karaoke track and sing the vocal parts. This post is not meant for you musicians, as I’m sure you know all this music theory.

By: oldFartBassPlayer Walt

oldFartBassPlayer Walt — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 18:28:46 +0000

well, 5 years later is better than never try: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pOGQTR92iM

By: Jon

Jon — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 02:52:52 +0000

Using the term “revisionist history” implies objective knowledge of the history in question, which no one actually has. The only reason it was “history” in the first place is because John’s account on songwriting credits was the only official one when he died… Paul would nearly always skirt Beatles questions in the 70’s. Paul then had two options… let Lennon’s account reign supreme or take partial credit (rightfully or not) for songs John contended he wrote alone (or omitted assistance). To assume Paul is lying shows implicit bias. To take Paul’s later accounts as absolute truth shows bias towards him. The truth, as we all know, is usually in between. To say Paul shouldn’t speak about or clarify history on Beatles songs because John can’t consent to it is no different than claiming Lennon’s account to be Gospel.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 10:44:18 +0000

A rare, recorded bass error. Probably drove/drives Paul nuts every time he hears it. Surprising they left it on. It’s buried in the mix, but still pretty obvious. Still one of my favorites. John drove the bus in the beginning. The balance of songwriting in his favor (in number and quality) is shocking when you do the math. And then it’s almost as if he lost interest in song writing. I have been thinking lately that there is only Paul now and he seems to indulge in revisionist history from time to time, crediting himself more than is properly warranted. I have always been a John fan. Without his great output in the early years…who knows?

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 06:18:06 +0000

I just can’t stop listening to this song lately.
Been listening to Beatles all my life (I’m 50) but funny how sometimes songs just grab you even after all these years.

The ‘warbled’ sound of the nylon string guitar is interesting (i.e around 1′ 30″)

By: chris in Tuscaloosa

chris in Tuscaloosa — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 03:41:05 +0000

There is a guy on You Tube that has a series of videos called “The Beatles vocal harmonies” which, show how their harmonies were arranged. He does a good breakdown of I’ll be back and how Paul has the two different harmony parts.

By: Josh Levin

Josh Levin — Fri, 13 May 2016 16:38:31 +0000

A certain entry, for me, on any list of “Top 10 Most Beautiful Beatles Songs.” Can’t understand why it so often overlooked by anyone who knows their repertoire.

By: Graham Paterson

Graham Paterson — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 10:31:22 +0000

A lovely John Lennon composition and a great way to end “A Hard Days Night”. Beautiful words and vocals by john Lennon.

By: bob

bob — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 22:50:19 +0000

wow – awfully good ears and attention to detail! never heard that before.

By: Sam P.

Sam P. — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 04:18:19 +0000

Always thought George’s riff sounded like the tones in the TV show Wheel of Fortune when they introduce the puzzle.

But it’s a top ten Beatles song for me. Grew up with the echoed Beatles ’65 version and grew to appreciate it more as the HDN closer.

By: James Ferrell

James Ferrell — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 05:38:05 +0000

I also think of this song as the brother of TWST. Over and over again you hear one of them writing a song and the other replying with something comparable yet different, and to me this is a prime example.

By: RICHARD IAROSSI

RICHARD IAROSSI — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 19:38:35 +0000

Another one of my fave Beatles Songs. I loved John’s voice especially when he put feeling in it like in this song and his vocal solo in “This boy” amoungst others.