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by: Andy Roman (revolver@bright.net)
From Me To You (takes 1-13)
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There is some Beatle throat-clearing as the session for this new Beatles song, destined to be their third single, kicks off.
The familiar introduction of "da-da-da da-da-dum-dum da" is not in place yet. George Harrison is playing the phrase on his electric guitar. There are also various lead guitar fillers thrown in between verses that would later be modified.
John and Paul, in the second stanza, sing "So call on me. . ." instead of the well-known "Just call on me. . ."
This take, however, is not a complete one. It breaks down just before
the section of song where the middle break is meant to come in.
Paul, in his best Liverpudlian lilt, asks: "What
'appened?"
George Martin, from the booth: "You
tell me what happened."
Paul: "Uh, I just thought
I heard you talking actually."
John, interjects his
own thoughts: "Did you whistle? . .I heard the speaker. . I heard a
whistle."
After a moment of non-productivity, John
says: "Ah (sic), . .come on. ."
Paul begins with a "Sorry" and a
"Ready" just prior to the start of the take.
The ominous voice
from above announces, "From the top again. ."
This take is complete, ever-so-slightly slower than the released version. Again, George throws in lead fillers here and there. John and Paul, in the second stanza, have a mix-up in the lyric, One singing "So call on me. . ." the other "Just call on me. . ."
An important point to note here is that the middle break meant for the harmonica and the answering phrases "From Me. . ." "To You. . ." are absent. Rather, the song proceeds to G Minor and the lines "I got arms that long to hold you. . ."
Also important to note is that fact that Ringo's drum fillers at the song's ending, under the repeating lines "To you. . ." are, too, absent, prompting Paul to laugh, "Ha. . ha. .you missed the ending."
Prior to the start of the third take, John mumbles, "No, that speed's alright."
This take is also a complete one. Again, during the second stanza there is an ever-so-slight mixup in the words "So" and "Just." Yet, this time they sing it ALMOST perfect, the two of them leaning toward the singing of "Just." John, however, sings "Jo," combining the two words.
Also, Ringo almost gets it right this time, missing only the first set of fillers towards song's end. All in all, a fairly decent take.
This complete take edges ever closer to perfection. John and Paul are both singing "So" during that critical second stanza. Again, there is no middle break, and Ringo is right on this time.
The session tape reveals John addressing George
Harrison prior to the start of take five.
John:
"Yeah, do the first bit, but not the second bit, he said." (referring
to suggestions made by George Martin)
George
Martin: "Are you with us?"
John (to
Martin): "George is to play the first bit of instrumental,
isn't he?"
This version is slightly faster than previous takes. It is also the take that introduces the bars for the middle break. An interesting observation about this take: It sounds as if John and Paul are singing: "Don't call on me, and I'll send it along. . ."
A quick break down.
This take is, for the most part, the commercially released version of the song.
This "take" is an overdub onto Take 7.
Added here is the "da-da-da da-da-dum-dum-da" introduction. Also overdubbed are the harmonica phrasings for the middle break and ending .
This piece includes an harmonica overdub for the song's introduction, and another attempt at the middle break.
This edit piece is intended to include harmonica passages for the song's ending. However, John seems to miss his cue: "Was I meant to be playing then?"
More attempts at overdubbing.
This piece is interesting in that The Beatles experiment with humming the introduction sequence.
Yet another overdub attempt.
This ia a bizzare sounding variation on the "da-da-da da-da-dum-dum-da" introduction. Paul is singing an octave higher, his voice is raspy and slightly off-key.
February 11, 1963
Later on March 5, 1963 
Behind The
Scenes.
