Written by: Lennon-McCartney-Starkey
Recorded: 4 November 1965
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 3 December 1965 (UK), 21 February 1966 (US)
Ringo Starr: vocals, drums
John Lennon: harmony vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Available on:
Rubber Soul
What Goes On was one of John Lennon's early songs, written before the group had a recording contract and never performed live.
That was an early Lennon written before The Beatles when we were The Quarrymen, or something like that. And resurrected with a middle eight thrown in, probably with Paul's help, to give Ringo a song and also to use the bits, because I never like to waste anything.
All We Are Saying, David Sheff
It wasn't released until 1965's Rubber Soul, where it was issued, uniquely, with a Lennon-McCartney-Starkey credit.
I used to wish that I could write songs like the others – and I've tried, but I just can't. I can get the words all right, but whenever I think of a tune and sing it to the others they always say, 'Yeah, it sounds like such-a-thing,' and when they point it out I see what they mean. But I did get a part credit as a composer on one – it was called What Goes On.
The Beatles played the song to George Martin on 5 March 1963, although it remained unrecorded at that time. Two years later it was resurrected as Starr's vocal spot on the group's sixth album. A demo was reportedly recorded by McCartney, though has yet to appear either commercially or as a bootleg.
When Paul wanted to show Ringo how What Goes On sounded he made up a multi-track tape. Onto this went Paul singing, Paul playing lead guitar, Paul playing bass and Paul playing drums. Then Ringo listened to the finished tape and added his own ideas before the recording session.
The Beatles Book (magazine), April 1966
When Rubber Soul was released in December 1965 it marked the first occurrence of a writing credit for the group's drummer. When asked about his contribution during a 1966 press conference, Starr joked that he had written "About five words, and I haven't done a thing since!"
Lennon later claimed that What Goes One was "resurrected with a middle eight thrown in, probably with Paul's help". However, the song contains no middle eight; it seems more likely that McCartney developed the verses, possibly with some help from Starr.
In the US, What Goes On was released in February 1966, as the b-side of the Nowhere Man single.
In the studio
What Goes On was first brought to Abbey Road on 5 March 1963. After recording From Me To You and Thank You Girl, they wanted to record two further Lennon-McCartney compositions. In the end, only One After 909 was taped. This was eventually released on Anthology 1 in 1995, although a better-known attempt from 1969 was included on Let It Be.
The Beatles eventually recorded What Goes On in a single take on 4 November 1965. The session began at 11pm: it was an unusually late start for the group, and necessitated by the looming deadline for the album.
Following the taping of the rhythm track, Starr recorded his lead vocals and Lennon and McCartney overdubbed their harmony backing.
I think it would have been better in a version sung by lennon and mccartney and released on with the beatles or so. Is there a recording of them playing the early version live?
I was always curious as to what the differences were between the ’63 & ’65 versions of this song. What did Ringo actually contribute to warrant a co-writer’s credit? Or did John & Paul throw him a bone because he was the only one without songwriter’s royalties coming in yet?
I believe I read somewhere that John and Paul had given George and Ringo a small percentage (I think it was five percent for each) of their share of the song publishing (which was 50 percent, with the other half going to Dick James who was simply lucky enough to be asked by Brian to be their publisher). This, if true, was a very generous gesture. The royalties from “Yesterday” alone turned out to be greater than the GDP of a lot of small countries.
Never knew Lennon mainly wrote this one. It never pegged me as a Lennon-esque song. I imagine it could have turned out much better if John sang it, or even Paul.
Anyone know why the mono mix omits the last guitar fill at the end of the song?
I love McCartney’s bass on this song especially in the solo when it gets a little overdriven growl to it—almost Jazz bass sounding.
Yes, the mono version shows up the bass really nicely, you can hear some nice little runs and hear Paul thinking on the run, a stutter here and there, but damn good for a one take! One of the failings of the stereo remaster is that that nice edge on the bass sound is completely lost 🙁
My opinion: That’s usually the case on a lot of 60’s records, and often the drums edge gets lost in the mix as well. Often times reverb really screws up a good edgy sound too.
I have tried to listen to this song in all the different mixes that have come out.. Mono. stereo, Capital releases.. etc.. I can never hear John’s guitar at all.. it is buried so deep in the mix… I personally believe that the whole Rubber Soul album should be remixed.. I agree with ttimlin.. on this album the drums are lost.. if you listen to early Beatles recordings.. I think Ringo’s drums are much more prevalent …
blue suede shoes…
I love the guitar work here. The choppy rhythm guitar sounds really cool.
I agree, George’s Rockabilly chops are in full bloom, I really dig hearing those old Gretsch pickups growl
No Reply lite. It has the feel of a cover song and is one of my least favorite Beatles’ originals because of it. I think it is a weak effort and I don’t think I would care for it any more if it were sung by John or Paul, but I could change my mind if I ever heard the 1963 attempt or the demo. Confounded album deadline. I wish there had been time for a better song to emerge. I usually skip over it.
Ringo drumming is amazing. He plays with an absolute perfect tempo…