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by: Andy Roman (revolver@bright.net)
I Feel Fine (takes 1, 2, 5-8)
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This recording session would produce what would be the Beatles eighth single for Parlophone, and arguably their best to date.
I Feel Fine, a John Lennon composition, holds the distinction, at least according to Lennon himself, as being the first record to make deliberate use of the dreaded phenomenon known as feedback. From the beginning, the song adorned its distinctive feedback introduction, achieved by Paul plucking the A note on his bass with John picking up the feedback through his guitar.
This first take is played in a different key from the released version, in the key of A at this point, a whole tone higher than the commercially released version in G.
This take features a raw Lennon vocal that, although rough in places, is still interesting to hear. The overall playing is choppy, almost sloppy in places. The take breaks down at the solo break.
The Beatles' producer George Martin reminds the boys
that the tape is still rolling.
John asks, "Did it
sound too strange, singing it?"
After some last minute adjustments, take two begins.
This time, the Beatles are in the correct key, and John
does not appear to be straining as much on the vocal. Yet, as with the previous
attempt, this take breaks down, this time towards the end of the solo
break.
John: "Wha?"
George
Martin: "I didn't say anything. Did you down there?"
By this take, the fifth one, the guitar phrasing is cleaner. John is again delivering his vocal, but it is growing clear that playing such an involved guitar line while singing may not the best thing. Lennon's vocal phrasings are at times limited. Overdubbing onto a completed backing track may be best.
This take is nearly complete, abruptly cutting off at the ending.
The session tape has George Harrison, curiously enough, doing a double-speed run through of the She's A Woman guitar solo as Ringo Starr announces: "Right-e-o!"
This take is complete, and void of vocals. The Beatles are almost there.
This take is the backing track used to overdub the vocals and lead guitar. That overdub would eventually be called Take 9.
The eighth take was probably an aborted or unsatisfactory attempt at the backing track once again. Whatever it was, it was definately NOT used.
Again, this is the overdub of vocals and lead guitar on Take Seven.
At the song's very end, The Beatles are heard making noises akin to dogs barking. Some of this can be heard at the song's fade out on the commercially released version.
October 8, 1964
February 16, 1965 
Behind The Scenes.
