Written by: Phil Spector
Recorded: 16 July 1963
Producer: Terry Henebery
Released: 30 November 1994 (UK), 5 December 1994 (US)
John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Available on:
Live At The BBC
The Beatles recorded a version of this classic by Phil Spector for the eighth edition of the BBC Radio show Pop Go The Beatles.
The song was originally recorded as To Know Him Is To Love Him, by Spector's first group, The Teddy Bears. A number one hit in 1958, it was subsequently widely covered by a range of artists.
The Beatles' version – with the necessary lyrical changes – was taped on 16 July 1963 at the BBC Paris Studio, London, and was first broadcast on 6 August. It was eventually released in 1994 on the Live At The BBC collection.
The group had previously performed To Know Her Is To Love Her at their audition for Decca Records on 1 January 1962.
The Decca version was faster than the BBC one, but the recording was an early indication of the skillful vocal harmonies that would later become a Beatles trademark. Sadly, the recording – which features Pete Best on drums – is only available on bootleg.
That was the first three-part [harmony] we ever did. We learned that in my dad's house in Liverpool.
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn
The Beatles also performed To Know Her Is To Love Her at the Star-Club, Hamburg, in December 1962, although the low-fidelity recordings are currently unavailable commercially in most countries.
John Lennon recorded To Know Her Is To Love Her with Phil Spector in 1973, during the initial sessions for Lennon's Rock 'N' Roll album. In a direct contrast to The Beatles' version, the 1973 performance was slowed to a funereal pace and given the full Wall of Sound treatment. It was released posthumously on the 1986 collection Menlove Ave.
Lyrics
To know, know, know her
Is to love, love, love her
Just to see her smile
Makes my life worthwhile
Yes just to know, know, know her
Is to love, love, love her
And I do
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
Da da da da da da
I'll be good to her
I'll make love to her
Everyone says there'll come a day
When I'll walk alongside of her
Yes just to know, know, know her
Is to love, love, love her
And I do
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
Why can't she see?
How blind can she be?
Someday she'll see
That she were meant just for me, oh-oh
To know, know, know her
Is to love, love, love her
Just to see her smile
Makes my life worthwhile
Yes just to know, know, know her
Is to love, love, love her
And I do
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
Why can't she see?
How blind can she be?
Someday she'll see
That she was meant just for me, oh-oh yeah
To know, know, know her
Is to love, love, love her
Just to see her smile
Makes my life worthwhile
Yes just to know, know, know her
Is to love, love, love her
And I do
And I do, and I
And I do, and I
And I do
John’s voice in this song is really sweet. Kinda looks like his voice in This Boy in my opinion. A great song!
Is it just me or does it sound like a fourth voice in the backing vocals? John is singing lead and Paul and George are backing him, but in places I hear a darker voice in the backing that doesn’t sound like Paul nor George. Could it be Ringo? Or some other artist performing at the BBC at the same time? Or are the vocals doubletracked allowing John to join Paul and George in the backing?
This could well be an aural illusion. Close harmonies often create additive harmonics that sound like sung parts, but no one is actually singing them.
Just heard this and I agree: sounds like there’s a fourth vocal. Unless George is working overtime!
I think it’s an overdub, because John’s voice is audible in the background vocals too. I’ve listened very closely, and I think it’s Paul singing the bass past, much like he did in “I Will”.
definitely ringo! and if you listen to the decca version you can hear pete best!
Nope, three-part harmony only…
ringo sings the du du du du parts. much more apparent in the decca version where pete best’s voice is pretty out of place.
i love the sensitivity in john’s voice on this.