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[Hello Goodbye]

I'll Be Back

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJSTBNTac6k" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJSTBNTac6k</a>

In April 1961, Del Shannon had a hit in the UK with his song Runaway...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KJ9oykwb6A" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KJ9oykwb6A</a>

John Lennon was inspired by Runaway and while on vacation in Tahiti wrote I'll Be Back based on the chords Del Shannon used.  Bill Harry wrote: "He just reworked the chords of the Shannon number and came up with a completely different song."


The Beatles recorded I'll Be Back in 16 takes at EMI Studios on 1 June 1964.  Although John wrote the song in 4/4 time, George Martin suggested that they record it in 6/8 waltz time...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ep4ML9meUM" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ep4ML9meUM</a>

The vocals were difficult for them to sing in 6/8 time and Ringo was having a difficult time drumming.  They went back and did the final takes in 4/4 time which is how the song was released.

The Beatles never performed I'll Be Back in any of their concert tours.


Personnel:

    John Lennon – double-tracked vocal, acoustic rhythm guitar (Gibson J-160E)
    Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, Hofner 500/1 bass guitar
    George Harrison – harmony vocal, Ramirez classical acoustic guitar, Gibson J-160E acoustic guitar
    Ringo Starr – drums

[Moogmodule]

I like this one. Interesting choice to end the album which was usually for a John screamer. Strange they tried it in 6/8. Listening to the anthology demo it really didn’t sound like it suited it at all. Especially the middle eight.

[Hello Goodbye]

Right, Moog.  John couldn't even finish the middle eight.

I guess George Martin wasn't always right.   

[nimrod]

Wonderful song. I've always loved it 

[Normandie]

John Lennon was inspired by Runaway and while on vacation in Tahiti wrote I'll Be Back based on the chords Del Shannon used.  Bill Harry wrote: "He just reworked the chords of the Shannon number and came up with a completely different song."

Interesting, Barry; I never knew this. I love both of these songs.

I also hadn't known, until very recently, that Del Shannon was going to be tapped to replace Roy Orbison in the Traveling Wilburys.

(Poor Del Shannon. May he rest in peace.)

[tkitna]

This tune has always been an average song for me.  Its not bad, but its not great.  It does have a darker atmosphere to it in my opinion.  Also, one of the very few times I like a cover better than the original.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37CTnbCibZU" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37CTnbCibZU</a>

[Hello Goodbye]

^

Right, Todd.  I've always liked how The Buckinghams interpreted I'll Be Back in their recording of the song.  They were one of my favorite groups in the late 60s.  I liked their song Susan in 1967.  I still do today especially with the psychedelic crescendo section.

[Hello Goodbye]

I love both of these songs.

They're similar in chord progression, Kathy, but with some chord couplings that John added.  The Beatles included Del Shannon's Runaway in their set lists in 1961 and 1962.

Del Shannon was very innovative with the chord progressions he used in Runaway at that point in time.  I'll let Del tell how...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etz_qlilVcs" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etz_qlilVcs</a>

[nimrod]

I really like this song in the context of the Love Songs album. Which I often play.

[nimrod]

Nice cover version.

https://youtu.be/urhqnAP7PeU