If I FellBetween 15 January and 4 February 1964, The Beatles were staying at the George V Hotel in Paris during their marathon concert series at the Olympia Theatre. They needed some original songs for their upcoming movie so they had an upright piano brought to their room...
That was my first attempt at a ballad proper. That was the precursor to In My Life...it shows that I wrote sentimental love ballads - silly love songs - way back then.John Lennon 1980 Playboy Magazine Interview.
On 27 February 1964, The Beatles entered EMI Studio Two for their third day of recording for their first motion picture A Hard Day's Night. The morning session brought Paul's And I Love Her to completion as well as starting and completing John's Tell Me Why. The afternoon session ran from 2:30 to 5:30 Fifteen takes of If I Fell were recorded with The Beatles on their usual instruments and singing simultaneously. In order to get the proper feel, John and Paul insisted on doing the intricate harmonies singing into the same microphone.
Take 15 ended up being the final take even though it contained a flaw at the end of the second bridge. Paul's voice cracked on the word "vain" to the point that this extremely high note actually cut off. It was fixed by double-tracking another vocal part as an overdub for that part of the song. John also double-tracked his vocals throughout the entire song, which gives their two-part harmony a rich and full sound.
The Beatles included the song quite prominently in their live shows throughout the latter half of 1964...
John Lennon - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar (1962 Gibson J160E)
Paul McCartney - Harmony Vocals, Bass Guitar (1963 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison - Lead Guitar (1963 Rickenbacker 360-12 Fire-glo)
Ringo Starr - Drums (1963 Ludwig Downbeat Black Oyster Pearl)