Recording "If I Needed Someone", "In My Life"

This was the fourth day of work on The Beatles’ new album “Rubber Soul,” and it proved to be a particularly short session, running from 2:30 pm to 5:45 pm.

The first task was to complete George Harrison’s “If I Needed Someone,” whose backing track had been recorded two days earlier. The backing track occupied track one of the four-track tape. Overdubs were then added to fill the remaining three tracks: George’s lead vocal was recorded onto track three and double-tracked onto track four, alongside backing vocals by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. On track two, George added a 12-string guitar part, while Ringo Starr contributed tambourine. With that, the recording was complete. The mono mix was prepared on October 25, followed by the stereo mix on October 26.

The Beatles then began work on John Lennon’s autobiographical song “In My Life.” Three takes of the backing track were recorded, with John and George on electric guitars, Paul on bass, and Ringo on drums, all captured on track one of the four-track tape.

Take 1, including some vocals, was released on “Anthology 4” in 2025.

It was recorded during an afternoon session for Rubber Soul on Monday 18 October 1965. The Beatles put three takes on tape. Track one has a group performance with drums, bass and rhythm guitar played by John and the lead guitar riff picked out by George. John and George both used their Sonic Blue Fender Stratocasters. ‘Fenders are so heavy,’ John says before the first take begins. Track two has John’s lead vocal and Paul’s harmony sung ‘live’ with the rhythm backing.

From the liner notes of “Anthology 4“

Take 3 was selected as the best and received overdubs. John recorded his lead vocal on track three, then double-tracked it onto track two alongside Paul’s backing vocals. Track four was used for additional backing vocals and an organ part played by George Martin. This temporary organ part would be replaced by a piano part — also performed by George Martin — on October 22.

Session activities

1. If I Needed Someone

   Written by George Harrison

   Recording • SI onto take 1

2. In My Life

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • Take 1

   AlbumOfficially released on Anthology 4

3. In My Life

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • Take 2

4. In My Life

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • Take 3

5. In My Life

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   Recording • SI onto take 3

Staff

Musicians on "In My Life"

Musicians on "If I Needed Someone"

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