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by: Andy Roman (revolver@bright.net)
Misery (takes 1-8)
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Engineer Norman Smith announces, "Mis-er-y Take One" as the four Beatles ready themselves to record yet another song on what is amounting to be quite a busy day of recording.
It is an original composition, penned by the foursome's songsmiths, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Take one begins with a simple guitar strum from John's guitar. George Martin would eventually overdub piano over the intro.
The familiar piano phrases after the line "I'll remember all the little things we've done" is, at this point, being played by George Harrison on electric guitar.
This first take is complete, and not unlike the released version.
George Harrison has a quick go at the filler run (later to be overdubbed on piano by George Martin) just prior to the song's second attempt.
After the song's opening line, the timing into the first stanza is off a bit. By the second stanza, the proceedings come to a halt as per a whistle from the booth above.
George Martin, ever sounding dignified, asks,
"George has changed guitars, hasn't he?"
A communal Beatle reply:
"No."
George Harrison, in an interesting reply:
"I probably changed the tone." Probably?
George
Martin: "Ah, yeah. . .Can we thin it up a bit? A little less
volume, George."
Some quick Beatle adjustments. .
George Martin is ready: "Okay, here we go again.
."
John: "Okay."
Paul
McCartney quickly consults John on some bass
phrasings, explaining his ideas phonetically, "Boody-boody, ba-ba-boody,
you know, after-"
John cuts him off, "Oh, leave
that out. . ."
Paul: "Leave that out. .
."
This take aborts early after a muffed chord from John
early in the first stanza. In disgust, John lets out an
"Ahh. . ."
Paul rolls off into a swooping
"Ooooh. . ."
John Lennon asks, "Should we go?" The answer is yes, and the Beatles set off into take four.
During the song's second stanza, there is a mixup on the second
line.
McCartney sings "I won't see her no more"
while Lennon sings "She won't come back no more.
."
Immediately thereafter, the take breaks off into nothing.
John: "It's these damn words."
This take, the fifth, is victim of the same lyrical flub as in the previous try. John also plays an incorrect chord on the line "I won't see her no more. ."
After a breakdown, John repeats the troublesome words,
"I won't. . ."
From the booth, the reassuring voice of
George Martin: "Tricky line. . ."
Lennon agrees, "You're right,
George."
Paul then pipes in, "I
won't see her no more. ." (with particular emphasis on "won't")
John: "Yeah, I won't see her no more. .I could see out
the corner of my eye."
Purely for the purposes of being over-technical, it can be said that there are actually two take sixes (but not really).
John starts with his semi-broken opening guitar strum, then stops. Immediately, he gives it a secong go. (There you go)
Again, the timing is slightly off coming out of the song's first line. There is also an ill-timed drum break after the initial singing of the line "I'll remember all the little things we've done. ." Yet, this take is complete, even though its clear that the boys aren't quite there.
Another complete take of what would eventually be the forthcoming album's second track.
The session tape catches Paul discussing song
structure: "Come in on the 'I'm the kind,' first verse. . .okay, go."
John begs to differ: "He's not coming in. .
."
A moment later, take eight begins. This version, however, breaks down
quickly, as it appears Lennon was trying to sing something
akin to either "Woah, I'm the kind of guy. . ." or "Well, I'm the
kind of guy. . ."
Paul: "You said the wrong word.
. ."
(Three more attempts, takes 9 through 11, were recorded. Eventually, Take 11 would be used by George Martin for his piano overdubs. Five overdub attempts, called takes 12 through 16, were recorded on 20 February 1963. Take 16 was used.)
Earlier on February 11,
1963
March 5, 1963 
Behind The
Scenes.
