What You're Doing
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Had this song stuck in my head this morning and have been playing it several times already. Paul lead vocal and John's harmony still sound fresh! The drum and George's very Byrds guitar sound (12-string Rickenbacker?) are a bit retro in retrospect. This song recorded today would still sound great! It appears on Beatles For Sale (and the US album Beatles IV). It really demonstrates Paul maturing as a lyricist with phrasing like: Look what your doin' I'm feeling blue and Lonely. Would it be too much -and- You got me runnin' And there no fun in It. Why should it be so much A very pretty melody, great vocals, and excellent lyrics, how can you lose?
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I love this one, too.
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Love the drumming on this...and yes the harmony, too! My favorite part is that descending piano at the end after the drum riff. I've always been surprised that this one has never made it into Paul's setlist over the last 25 years.
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It would be an awesome song to do live. As I mentioned, to me it still sounds fresh and it's pure Beatles--another McCartney gem and this one a bit under the radar.
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LOVE this song!
THANK YOU, (((((PAUL)))))!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
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This is one of my favorites of the earlier songs. I love Paul's vocals. I also like it in the Love album, mixed with The Word and Drive My Car, its a fun mix.
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I love that song! Have since it first came out!
"George's very Byrds guitar sound " Am not sure about this, although. The Byrds didn't officially become 'The Byrds' until November of 1964, and didn't go into the recording studio to record their cover of Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man until January of 1965. The Beatles released 'What You're Doin'' a month earlier in December of 1964. I wonder who influenced who? -
I believe Roger McGuinn went out and got the same Rickenbacker 12-string after he heard George Harrison play his.
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Erik in NJ:
I believe McGwin (sp?) went out and got the same Rickenbacker (?) 12-string after he heard George Harrison.
Another beautiful Beatles song that had similar harmonies and air about it was this one... I'll Be Back -
Erik in NJ:
It would be an awesome song to do live. As I mentioned, to me it still sounds fresh and it's pure Beatles--another McCartney gem and this one a bit under the radar.
I've been wanting to hear Paul do this live forever! P.S. Did you know this was another one of Paul's songs to Jane?
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Nancy R:
I've been wanting to hear Paul do this live forever! P.S. Did you know this was another one of Paul's songs to Jane?
Hi Nancy! I did not know that. Very interesting with the reference to her lying in the song. What other songs were written to or about her? Thanks, Erik
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[quote="Erik in NJ"]
Nancy R:
I've been wanting to hear Paul do this live forever! What other songs were written to or about her? Thanks, Erik
"I've Just Seen A Face" is supposed to be about Jane Asher. Paul said "For No One" is probably about a fight he had with Jane.
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What book has the best coverage (details and accuracy) of their time together. It's a very interesting time in Paul's life I think.
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Erik in NJ:
What book has the best coverage (details and accuracy) of their time together. It's a very interesting time in Paul's life I think.
"Many Years From Now" by Barry Miles has a lot of details on Paul's life and his recollection of the creation of Lennon/McCartney songs. I'm sure other people on this site prefer other books.
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Hi John! I've had that book on order for a long time now through Amazon. Not sure what the delay is. I might cancel it and order it from a 3rd party. Thanks for the recommendation!
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SurSteven:
Another beautiful Beatles song that had similar harmonies and air about it was this one... I'll Be Back Yes I agree! I'll Be Back is also a very beautiful song with some lovely harmony vocals! I wish they had recorded more of these types of gems! It's also a song that has flown a bit under the "hit" radar.
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"I'm Looking Through You" was written with Jane Asher in mind.
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Erik in NJ:
SurSteven:
Another beautiful Beatles song that had similar harmonies and air about it was this one... I'll Be Back Yes I agree! I'll Be Back is also a very beautiful song with some lovely harmony vocals! I wish they had recorded more of these types of gems! It's also a song that has flown a bit under the "hit" radar.
Speaking of that middle early 60's sound...these are also some gems that seem to fit here... The Seekers from 1965
And the song that Paul wrote for Peter and Gordon. Peter of course, being Jane Asher's brother. A World Without Love... -
Other songs Paul wrote about Jane: We Can Work It Out You Won't See Me I never heard I've Just Seen A Face was about Jane. It was written in 1965, over 2 years after he met Jane. More likely about a girl he met he'd like to replace her with! The only love song I think he wrote about her was Here, There and Everywhere, but note the lyrics: "I need my love to be here," "If she's beside me I know I need never care" He really wanted a woman to be by his side and not running off for months at a time in a play, like she did. That's why things didn't work out with her, and they did with Linda.
P.S. Before someone says, what about And I Love Her? Paul said in an interview that it wasn't written with any girl specifically in mind. (I bet Jane loved hearing that!) -
Another great tune with that mid-sixties, British folk-rock, harmony-driven vibe was Chad and Jeremy's A Summer Song.
