The Beatles in the Studio -- Song 5 -- "She Loves You"

As with most of our "Beatles in the Studio" blog article series, feel free to listen to the song while you read -- a link is provided at the bottom of the page!

The Story:

"She Loves You" is the first single released after their successful "PLEASE PLEASE ME" LP.  This single is the one which most people remember as it was released; it was wildly successful both in the UK and the United States, and is the first Beatles single to sell a million copies!  

Posing in the alleyway

The recording of this song at Abbey Road also marked a turning point in the Beatles career.  During the day, the Beatles were posing for pictures in the alleyway.  Geoff Emerick remembers that the size of the crowd outside was larger than usual, and was in fact growing.  By the time the Beatles went inside to record the single, fans had overrun the EMI security at Abbey Road, and dozens of hysterical girls were racing down the halls of the facility, being chased by London bobbies with sticks, LOL.

This is the beginning of the Beatles becoming virtual prisoners in the studio, the loss of freedom, the beginning of incarceration.

Songwriting: 

Turks Hotel

The first song to be credited to Lennon/McCartney (as opposed to McCartney/Lennon in all previous songs).  "She Loves You" was written in a room of the Turks Hotel in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, sitting on facing twin beds after a concert at the Majestic Ballroom.

They had written the song and according to John, they needed more so they added "yeah, yeah, yeah" and it caught on, as well as the "woo woo's" which came from Twist and Shout.

Beatles at the Majestic Ballroom

According to Cynthia Lennon, the "Yeah, yeah, yeah" came from a love letter from John to her which included the message "our first Christmas, I love you, yes, yes, yes."

Whatever, for the first few albums and live performances, the "Woooo, Woooo!!!!" and "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!" became scream inducing Beatle trademarks.  "Oh Yeah" continued through their final "Abbey Road" LP (Last song, Golden Slumbers).

The song was released as a single in the UK on August 23, 1963 and reached number 1.
The song was released as a single in the US on September 16, 1963 and reached number 1.

Studio Date:  

July 1, 1963
Recording Session

July 4, 1963
Mono Mix

November 8, 1966

Stereo Mix

Location:  

Abbey Road Studios, London, Studio Two

Songwriting Credit:

John Lennon/Paul McCartney

Technical Personnel:

Producer:  George Martin
Sound Engineer:  Norman Smith
Assistant Engineers:  Geoff Emerick

Personnel:

John Lennon -- Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

Paul McCartney -- Vocals, Bass Guitar
George Harrison -- Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar
Ringo Starr -- Drums

Instruments:


John Lennon -- 1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri
George Harrison -- Gretsch Country Gentleman
Paul McCartney -- Höfner model 500/1 "violin" bass
Ringo Starr -- Premier Mahogany Duroplastic drum set
George Martin -- Upright Piano

Recording Legacy/Recording Innovation:


Recorded on Twin Track BTR3 tape recorders (two-track).

Vastly improved recording method implemented by Norman Smith.
-Began using a compressor to limit significant divergence in level (started with the last song on PLEASE PLEASE ME, "Twist and Shout") which became a rock recording standard practice eventually.
-Placed a STC-4038 microphone above Ringo's drums, giving them a more precise sound
-Moved the vocal microphones even farther from the drums.

This configuration would be the one he used until he stopped working with the Beatles in 1965.

Listen: