Album This song officially appears on the A Hard Day's Night (Mono) LP.
Timeline This song was officially released in 1964
This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:
From Wikipedia:
“And I Love Her” is a song recorded by English rock band the Beatles, written mainly by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney). The fifth track on their third album, A Hard Day’s Night, it was released 20 July 1964 with “If I Fell” as a single by Capitol Records in the United States, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Beatles performed “And I Love Her” just once outside Abbey Road Studios; on 14 July 1964 they played it for an edition of the BBC’s Top Gear radio show, which was broadcast two days later.
Composition
A majority of this song switches back and forth between the key of E and its relative minor C#m. It also changes keys altogether just before the solo, to Gm. It ends on the parallel major of the key of F’s relative minor, D. This technique is known as Picardy third resolution.
The song was written mainly by McCartney, though John Lennon claimed in an interview with Playboy that his major contribution was the middle eight section (“A love like ours / Could never die / As long as I / Have you near me“).
Beatles publisher Dick James lends support to this claim, saying that the middle eight was added during recording at the suggestion of producer George Martin (an early take of the song was released on Anthology 1 in 1995, and the middle eight had not yet been added). According to James, Lennon called for a break and “within half an hour [Lennon and McCartney] wrote…a very constructive middle to a very commercial song.” McCartney, on the other hand, maintains that “the middle eight is mine…. I wrote this on my own. I would say that John probably helped with the middle eight, but he can’t say ‘It’s mine’.”
“The ‘And’ in the title was an important thing – ‘And I Love Her,’ it came right out of left field, you were right up to speed the minute you heard it,” McCartney said. “The title comes in the second verse and it doesn’t repeat. You would often go to town on the title, but this was almost an aside: ‘Oh . . . and I love you.’”
McCartney credits George Harrison with composing the signature guitar riff, saying it “made a stunning difference to the song“.
McCartney called “And I Love Her” “the first ballad I impressed myself with.” Lennon called it McCartney’s “first ‘Yesterday.’”
Recording
Recorded by the Beatles over three days, in Abbey Road Studio Two, the sessions were produced by George Martin and engineered by Norman Smith. The second engineer was Richard Langham.
Day 1
Work began at 2:30pm on Tuesday 25 February 1964, the first day of the sessions for the Hard Day’s Night soundtrack and the accompanying album. Two takes were recorded. Take 1 was incomplete, but Take 2 was complete. However, the Beatles decided a lighter touch was required. Take 2 was eventually released on Anthology 1 in 1995. This version was missing the middle-eight.
Instrumentation on this session was
- Paul McCartney – lead vocal, 1963 Höfner 500/1 bass guitar through Vox AC-100 bass amp.
- John Lennon – 1964 Rickenbacker 325 electric guitar through Vox AC-50 guitar amp
- George Harrison – 1964 Rickenbacker 360-12 12 string electric guitar through Vox AC-50 guitar amp
- Ringo Starr – Ludwig drum kit
Day 2
The following day, Wednesday 26 February, a further 17 takes (Takes 3–19) were made in a session lasting from 7:00–10:00pm. Although Starr swapped his drums for bongos and claves halfway through the session, they were still not happy. It was during this session that they stopped for a tea break and to write the middle eight. A brief fragment of Take 11 can be heard in the closing credits of Episode 8 of Anthology, where Paul sings “And if you saw my love, I’d love her [too]…” before the take breaks down.
Instrumentation on both this session and Day 3 was
- Paul McCartney – lead vocal, 1963 Höfner 500/1 bass guitar through Vox AC-100 bass amp.
- John Lennon – Harrison’s 1962 Gibson J-160E acoustic-electric guitar through Vox AC-50 guitar amp
- George Harrison – 1964 José Ramírez Guitarra de Estudio classical guitar
- Ringo Starr – Ludwig drum kit, switching to bongos and claves
Day 3
A further two takes (Takes 20–21) were recorded on the morning of Thursday 27 February, beginning at 10:00am. Take 20 saw the basic track laid down, while Take 21 was an overdub of McCartney’s double-tracked lead vocal and Starr’s claves.
Mixing and release
All mixes were prepared from Take 21.
Mono Remix 1
This initial mono mix was made in the Abbey Road Studio One control room on Tuesday 3 March. As for the recording session, Martin and Smith were producer and engineer. The second engineer was A.B. Lincoln.
The mix features McCartney’s single-tracked vocal, with only selected phrases (for example, the title) highlighted by double tracking. This mix was sent to Capitol and United Artists on Tuesday 9 June, and released on the US mono version of the Hard Day’s Night soundtrack album on Friday 26 June 1964. The stereo version of the album used a fake stereo version of this mono mix. This mix was also used on the mono version of the Capitol album Something New, released on Monday 20 July 1964. This mix was also used on the film print of A Hard Day’s Night except the speed was slower in a low pitch. It can currently be found as part of the Capitol Albums Volume 1 box set.
Mono Remix 2
This second mono mix was made in the Abbey Road Studio One control room on Monday 22 June. Martin and Smith were again producer and engineer. The second engineer was Geoff Emerick.
In this mix, McCartney’s vocal is double-tracked throughout, except for the first two lines of the third verse. This mix was released on the UK mono version of A Hard Day’s Night on Friday 10 July 1964. It can currently be found on The Beatles in Mono box set.
Stereo Mix
A stereo mix of “And I Love Her” was made on Monday 22 June immediately after Mono Remix 2. As with Mono Remix 2, McCartney’s vocal is double-tracked throughout, except for the first two lines of the third verse.
This mix was released on the UK stereo version of A Hard Day’s Night on Friday 10 July 1964. This mix was also used on the stereo version of the Capitol album Something New, released on Monday 20 July 1964. It can currently be found on the A Hard Day’s Night CD, and as part of the Capitol Albums Volume 1 box set.
Extended Stereo mix
The German version of Something New contained an edited version of the 22 June stereo mix, repeating the closing guitar riff five times instead of three. This version also appeared on the American Rarities album in 1980. It is not known when this edit was made. It has not yet been released on CD. […]
Paul McCartney, from Many Years From Now, by Barry Miles:
It was the first ballad I impressed myself with. It’s got nice chords in it, ‘Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky…’ I like the imagery of the stars and the sky. It was a love song really. The ‘And’ in the title was an important thing. ‘And I Love Her,’ it came right out of left field, you were right up to speed the minute you heard it. The title comes in the second verse and it doesn’t repeat. You would often go to town on the title, but this was almost an aside, ‘Oh… and I love you.’ It still holds up and George played really good guitar on it. It worked very well. […] I’m not sure if John worked on that at all… The middle eight is mine. I would say that John probably helped with the middle eight, but he can’t say ‘It’s mine’. I wrote this on my own. I can actually see Margaret Asher’s upstairs drawing room. I remember playing it there, not writing it necessarily.
From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:
- [a] mono 3 Mar 1964.
US: United Artists UAL 3366 and UAS 6366 Hard Day’s Night 1964, Capitol 5235 single 1964, Capitol T 2018 Something New 1964.- [b] mono 22 Jun 1964.
UK: Parlophone PMC 1230 Hard Day’s Night 1964.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46437 2 Hard Day’s Night 1987.- [c] stereo 22 Jun 1964.
UK: Parlophone PCS 3058 Hard Day’s Night 1964, Apple PCSP 717 The Beatles 1962-1966 1973.
US: Capitol ST 2018 Something New 1964, Apple SKBO-3403 The Beatles 1962-1966 1973.- [c1] stereo, probably edited.
Germany: Odeon STO 83 756 (later 1C 062-04 600) Something New 1964.
US: Capitol SHAL-12060 Rarities 1980.- [d] stereo 1993.
CD: EMI CDP 7 97036 2 The Beatles 1962-1966 1993.The “United Artists mix” [a] has a single track vocal (with harmonies), while the others have double track most of the way. Lewisohn does not report any recording after Feb 27, and if so it is a mix difference. “Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky” is always single tracked. Interestingly, the start of Paul’s humming after the last lyrics, as heard in other versions, is just barely audible in [a], as if on a track being mixed out.
The “German stereo version” [c1] has six guitar riffs at the end instead of only four. It seems to have been made by editing in repeats, rather than being an untrimmed version, although for what purpose is unknown. It also has the guitar softer on left, but this seems to be a balancing error, not a different mix, since the centered vocal is also pulled a little to right, as it would be if the balance were off.
Another stereo mix with only two riffs at the end is documented on a tape copy but the original source is not known.
I give her all my love?
That's all I do?
And if you saw my love?
You'd love her too?
I love her??
She gives me everything?
And tenderly?
The kiss my lover brings?
She brings to me?
And I love her??
A love like ours?
Could never die?
As long as I?
Have you near me??
Bright are the stars that shine?
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine?
Will never die?
And I love her??
Bright are the stars that shine?
Dark is the sky?
I know this love of mine?
Will never die?
And I love her
Official album • Released in 1964
2:31 • Studio version • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Mar 03, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1964
2:29 • Studio version • A • Mono
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Mar 03, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1964
2:29 • Studio version • B • Mono
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1964
2:29 • Studio version • C • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1964
2:32 • Studio version • C • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1964
2:32 • Studio version • A • Mono
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Mar 03, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Extracts from the Film A Hard Day's Night
EP • Released in 1964
2:29 • Studio version • B • Mono
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1973
2:29 • Studio version • C • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1973
2:29 • Studio version • C • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Bass, Vocals Ringo Starr : Congas John Lennon : Acoustic rhythm guitar George Harrison : Acoustic lead guitar, Claves George Martin : Producer Norman Smith : Recording engineer
Session Recording: Feb 25, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 26, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Recording: Feb 27, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Jun 22, 1964 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Unofficial live
3:40 • Live
Concert From the concert in Barcelona, Spain on May 08, 1991
Unofficial live
3:53 • Live
Concert From the concert in Copenhagen, Denmark on Jul 24, 1991
Unofficial live
3:05 • Live
Concert From the concert in Toronto, Canada on Jun 06, 1993
Unofficial live
3:41 • Live
Concert From the concert in Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom on Jul 19, 1991
On The Run - Bologna, Italy - November 26, 2011
Unofficial live
4:49 • Live
Concert From the concert in Bologna, Italy on Nov 26, 2011
Concert Dec 03, 2009 in Berlin
Concert Dec 09, 2009 in Arnhem
Concert Dec 16, 2009 in Cologne
Concert Aug 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh
Concert Nov 21, 2010 in Sao Paulo
Concert May 09, 2013 in Fortaleza
“And I Love Her” has been played in 265 concerts and 9 soundchecks.
Auckland • Mt Smart Stadium • New Zealand
Dec 16, 2017 • Part of One On One Tour
Sydney • Qudos Bank Arena • Australia
Dec 12, 2017 • Part of One On One Tour
Sydney • Qudos Bank Arena • Australia
Dec 11, 2017 • Part of One On One Tour
Brisbane • Suncorp Stadium • Australia
Dec 09, 2017 • Part of One On One Tour
Melbourne • AAMI Park • Australia
Dec 06, 2017 • Part of One On One Tour
The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present
"And I Love Her" is one of the songs featured in the book "The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present," published in 2021. The book explores Paul McCartney's early Liverpool days, his time with the Beatles, Wings, and his solo career. It pairs the lyrics of 154 of his songs with his first-person commentary on the circumstances of their creation, the inspirations behind them, and his current thoughts on them.
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Martin Grieben • 1 month ago
Hi!
Recording Day 1
John Lennon – 1964 Rickenbacker 325 electric guitar through Vox AC-50 guitar amp
Don't know about your sources but Take 2 from that day can be heard on Anthology 1 and there is NO electric rhythm guitar there. From the sound on Take 2 it is clear that this is not the electric Rickenbacker but that the rhythm guitar is an ACOUSTIC, probably the 1964 default Gibson J 160 (played through a Vox).
What do you say?
All the best an thank you for your site!