Comments on: I’m Down

By: MikeP

MikeP — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 04:16:50 +0000

I’ve never been able to tell if that’s John or Ringo. Sounds like it could be either, but I suspect it’s Ringo as John can be heard in a higher register on the backing vocals.

By: MikeP

MikeP — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:19:29 +0000

I always assumed it was Ringo because he’s the only one not accounted for vocally, and it’s in the lower range of his voice. But, I’ve never read nor heard any confirmation of that.

By: aubiemaggie

aubiemaggie — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 00:09:07 +0000

It is alway said that it was a Little Richard inspired song, and I agree, but I also feel it was inspired by Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say”, especially in the last half of the song.

By: Stein

Stein — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 22:05:17 +0000

Little Richard, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent…this song’s got it all. I love George and John work off each other in the background. And as playful as Macca has said he was during the recording, you practically hear him seething through certain words. One of their best from ’65.

By: Micahelbearfella

Micahelbearfella — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 12:54:43 +0000

Still not sure what paul says, but there’s definitely an ´r´ in there before ¨it up john¨

By: Jorge Parasol

Jorge Parasol — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:44:08 +0000

“Start it up, John!”

By: oldFartBassPlayer Walt

oldFartBassPlayer Walt — Wed, 03 May 2017 18:22:03 +0000

in 2014, Carlos asked the question “I wonder who is backing singing “Down…” in a very low tone all the time.”

No answers then, how about now? Doesn’t seem like a Beatles’ voice..

By: Rich

Rich — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 17:37:59 +0000

Definitely ‘help me out John’

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 16:05:57 +0000

Great rocker!! And their performance of “I’m Down” at Shea Stadium appeared to be at least as much fun for them, if not more, than the audience.

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 23:09:29 +0000

I think it’s ‘Help me out John’. Meaning I’ve done my bit now it’s your turn.

By: Graham Paterson

Graham Paterson — Mon, 02 May 2016 06:33:08 +0000

Brilliant Paul McCartney rocker. As everyone knows inspired by Little Richard. One of the great B sides. Paul’s vocals,coupled with George’s lead guitar and John Lennon’s brilliance on the organ make this a classic.

By: Brian H.

Brian H. — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 00:08:54 +0000

It’s definitely “Hurry up, John!”

By: jennifur Sun

jennifur Sun — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 06:34:51 +0000

you are right. Paul says Hurry up John, then he says Can you hear me. loved the video from Shea which sadly like most of the Beatles stuff is now gone from Youtube. my fav Paul Rocker. and although he didn;t know it, was i could tell him thanks for the first verse. have said that in my mind many times now when someone does something to hurt me and they know it. You telling lies thinking i can’t see/ you can’;t cry cause your laughing at me/ I’m down

By: Penny Owen

Penny Owen — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 04:50:51 +0000

I just love this song, all the exuberance and fun they are having, performing it at Shea Stadium!

By: kenlacouture

kenlacouture — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:34:56 +0000

Goodness, I must have been half asleep when I wrote the above comment! Of course the master take and mix of I’m Down has the instruments in the LEFT. But there is indeed an organ performance over there, and the organ solo is roughly up the middle. I must have had my headphones on backwards!

By: kenlacouture

kenlacouture — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 04:48:27 +0000

Actually the organ is present on take 1, a bit low in the mix but quite evident in the right channel.

…or perhaps I should have said “an organ”, as it seems there might be two in the released take — in the master take there is an organ playing basic chords in the right (with the rest of the instruments — the right, unusually!) and also the wild solo which leans towards the left, most likely indicating it was on a different track.

By: Graham Paterson

Graham Paterson — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 10:09:21 +0000

First heard this on older sisters 45 of single Help! A great B side. Love lead guitar solo and organ. Great vocals by Paul McCartney.

By: andre

andre — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 16:05:03 +0000

Another Rock’nRoll standard created by the Beatles.

By: Mr Lonedrum

Mr Lonedrum — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:53:27 +0000

I think Paul says Rip it up, John. Or Tear it up, John.

By: carlos

carlos — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 17:39:04 +0000

I wonder who is backing singing “Down…” in a very low tone all the time. Is Paul, is Ringo, or are George & John in an overdub session ?