Recording "You're Going to Lose That Girl"

This was the fifth day of work on The Beatles’ “Help!” album. During the short session, which ran from 3:30 pm to 6:20 pm, The Beatles recorded a new track, “You’re Going to Lose That Girl.”

The backing track featured John Lennon on electric guitar, Paul McCartney on bass, and Ringo Starr on drums. All instruments were recorded together onto track one of the four-track tape. Two formal takes were attempted, labelled Take 2 and Take 3 on the reels.

Take 3 then received a series of overdubs. John recorded his lead vocals onto track three, with Paul and George Harrison adding their backing vocals to the same track. John subsequently double-tracked his vocals onto track four. Track two received two further overdubs: George recorded his guitar solo, and Paul added an electric piano part.

The track was mixed in mono on February 20 and in stereo on February 23. However, George Martin considered that the recording could be improved, and further work was carried out on March 30.

That evening, The Beatles attended a private party held in their honour by Sir Joseph Lockwood, chairman of EMI.

Beatles in the saddle

THE Beatles, who take off for the Bahamas on Monday (22) to start making their second film, spent this week in the recording studios in London. They recorded the film soundtrack.

The group have signed for their third film before the start of their second. It will be “A Talent For Loving”, featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr as cowboys. It will be made in England and Spain.

From Melody Maker – February 20, 1965

Session activities

1. You're Going to Lose That Girl

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • Take 1 (announced as take 2)

2. You're Going to Lose That Girl

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • Take 2 (announced as take 3)

3. You're Going to Lose That Girl

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • SI onto take 3

Staff

Musicians on "You're Going to Lose That Girl"

Production staff

Going further

The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions • Mark Lewisohn

The definitive guide for every Beatles recording sessions from 1962 to 1970. We owe a lot to Mark Lewisohn for the creation of those session pages, but you really have to buy this book to get all the details - the number of takes for each song, who contributed what, a description of the context and how each session went, various photographies... And an introductory interview with Paul McCartney!

Buy on Amazon

The Beatles Recording Reference Manual - Volume 2 - Help! through Revolver (1965-1966)

The second book of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC)-nominated series, "The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 2: Help! through Revolver (1965-1966)" follows the evolution of the band from the end of Beatlemania with "Help!" through the introspection of "Rubber Soul" up to the sonic revolution of "Revolver". From the first take to the final remix, discover the making of the greatest recordings of all time.Through extensive, fully-documented research, these books fill an important gap left by all other Beatles books published to date and provide a unique view into the recordings of the world's most successful pop music act.

Buy on Amazon