- Album This song officially appears on the Rubber Soul (UK Mono) LP.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Jun 17, 1965
Jun 18, 1965
Nov 11, 1965
Nov 15, 1965
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Song facts
From Wikipedia:
“Wait” is a song recorded by the Beatles, from their 1965 album Rubber Soul. The songwriting credit is Lennon–McCartney, and the song is usually said to be a joint effort between the two, although in the 1997 book, Many Years from Now, McCartney recalls it as entirely his. This is supported by a 1970 interview with John Lennon by Ray Connolly. John could not remember writing it. “That must be one of Paul’s,” he said. The middle eight section is similar to Autumn Leaves (1945 song) (one example being the line “I know that you” matches “old winter’s song” from Autumn Leaves).
Origin and recording
The song was originally recorded for Help! in June 1965 but did not make the final pressing. When Rubber Soul fell one song short for a Christmas release, “Wait” was brought back. Overdubs were added to the initial recording so it would blend in better with the other, more recent songs on Rubber Soul.
The lyrics, describing the singer’s anxieties about his relationship with his girlfriend while he is away, are thematically similar to several other Lennon–McCartney songs, such as “When I Get Home” and “Things We Said Today,” written during the period of 1964 and 1965. The vocals on the verse are shared between Lennon and McCartney, and McCartney sings the two middle eight sections. Instrumentally, the most memorable feature of “Wait” is George Harrison’s tone pedal guitar.
Paul McCartney in Many Years From Now, by Barry Miles:
[Actor Brandon de Wilde] was a nice guy who was fascinated by what we did. A sort of Brat Pack actor. We chatted endlessly, and I seem to remember writing Wait in front of him, and him being interested to see it being written. I think it was my song. I don’t remember John collaborating too much on it, although he could have.
From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:
- [a] mono 15 Nov 1965.
UK: Parlophone PMC 1267 Rubber Soul 1965.
US: Capitol T 2442 Rubber Soul 1965.- [b] stereo 15 Nov 1965.
UK: Parlophone PCS 3075 Rubber Soul 1965.
US: Capitol ST 2442 Rubber Soul 1965.- [c] stereo 1987.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46440 2 Rubber Soul 1987.
Last updated on March 25, 2016
Lyrics
It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh how I've been alone
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried
But if your heart breaks
Don't wait, turn me away
And if your heart's strong
Hold on, I won't delay
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried
I feel as though
You ought to know
That I've been good
As good as I can be
And if you do
I'll trust in you
And know that you
Will wait for me
It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh how I've been alone
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried
I feel as though
You ought to know
That I've been good
As good as I can be
And if you do
I'll trust in you
And know that you
Will wait for me
But if your heart breaks
Don't wait, turn me away
And if your heart's strong
Hold on, I won't delay
Wait till I come back to your side
We'll forget the tears we've cried
It's been a long time
Now I'm coming back home
I've been away now
Oh, how I've been alone
Officially appears on
LP • Released in 1965
2:12 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1965
2:12 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1965
2:15 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1965
2:14 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
CD • Released in 1987
2:12 • Studio version • C • Stereo • 1987 mix
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- 1987 remixing, Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Rubber Soul (US - 2006 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2006
2:14 • Studio version • B2006 • Stereo • 2006 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Rubber Soul (US - 2006 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2006
2:15 • Studio version • A2006 • Mono • 2006 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Rubber Soul (Mono - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:12 • Studio version • A2009 • Mono • 2009 mono remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Sean Magee :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Rubber Soul (Mono - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:12 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Sean Magee :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Nov 15, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Rubber Soul (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:12 • Studio version • C2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Maracas
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Guitar
- George Martin :
- 1987 remixing, Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Jun 17, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Jun 18, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Nov 11, 1965
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Bootlegs
Rubber Soul - Studio Sessions - Back To Basics
Unofficial album • Released in 2012
2:18 • Alternate take • (Rockband Mix) (stereo)
Live performances
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.
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