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- Album This song officially appears on the Revolver (UK Mono) LP.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Apr 07, 1966
Apr 08, 1966
Apr 11, 1966
Apr 25, 1966
May 18, 1966
Jun 17, 1966
Jun 20, 1966
Jun 22, 1966
January 2nd - 10th, 1980
Related interviews
Paul McCartney on the Adam Buxton Podcast
Dec 11, 2020 • From The Adam Buxton Podcast
Dec 01, 1990 • From Club Sandwich
Dec 01, 1984 • From Playboy
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Song facts
From Wikipedia:
“Got to Get You into My Life” is a song by the Beatles, first released in 1966 on the album Revolver. It was written by Paul McCartney, though officially credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song is a homage to the Motown Sound, with colourful brass instrumentation, and lyrics that suggest a psychedelic experience. “It’s actually an ode to pot,” McCartney explained. A cover version by Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers peaked at number six in 1966 in the UK. The song was issued in the United States as a single from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Music compilation album in 1976, six years after the Beatles disbanded. It reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the Beatles’ last top ten US hit until their 1995 release “Free as a Bird“.
Composition and recording
Though officially credited to Lennon–McCartney, McCartney was primarily responsible for the writing of the song, to which he also contributed lead vocals. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios between 7 April and 17 June 1966 and evolved considerably between the first takes and the final version released on album. The song seems to have been hard to arrange until the soul-style horns, strongly reminiscent of the Stax’ Memphis soul and Motown sound, were introduced. The brass was close-miked in the bells of the instruments then put through a limiter. The percussion instrument most predominant is the overdubbed tambourine.
The song starts with a blaring brass fanfare, McCartney’s vocals entering at 0:07. The chorus of the song appears at 1:04, with the song’s title sung. The song then switches between a verse and the refrain. A short electric guitar solo that is reminiscent of the riff from “Paperback Writer” appears at 1:53 and at 2:10 the horn fanfare re-enters. The song closes with fading vocals of McCartney, much akin to the soul records of the time. The mono and stereo mixes of the recording feature different ad libs in the fade-out – the presence of a second vocal track is also more subtle for most of the mono version. Backing vocals were recorded early but later eliminated.
In Barry Miles’ 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, McCartney disclosed that the song was about marijuana. “‘Got to Get You into My Life’ was one I wrote when I had first been introduced to pot … So [it’s] really a song about that, it’s not to a person.” Many lyrics from the song suggest this: “I took a ride, I didn’t know what I would find there / Another road where maybe I could see some other kind of mind there.“,’“What can I do? What can I be? When I’m with you, I want to stay there / If I am true, I will never leave and if I do, I’ll know the way there.” “It’s actually an ode to pot,” McCartney explained, “like someone else might write an ode to chocolate or a good claret.”
Reception
Thomas Ward of Allmusic said, “McCartney’s always been a great vocalist, and this is perhaps the best example of his singing on Revolver. One of the overlooked gems on the album.” When asked about the song in his 1980 Playboy interview, John Lennon said, “Paul’s again. I think that was one of his best songs, too.” […]
Paul McCartney in "Many Years From Now", by Barry Miles:
Got To Get You Into My Life was one I wrote when I had first been introduced to pot. I’d been a rather straight working-class lad but when we started to get into pot it seemed to me to be quite uplifting… I didn’t have a hard time with it and to me it was mind-expanding, literally mind-expanding.
So Got To Get You Into My Life is really a song about that, it’s not to a person, it’s actually about pot. It’s saying, I’m going to do this. This is not a bad idea. So it’s actually an ode to pot, like someone else might write an ode to chocolate or a good claret.
From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:
- [a] mono 17,20 Jun 1966.
UK: Parlophone PMC 7009 Revolver 1966.
US: Capitol T 2576 Revolver 1966.- [b] stereo 22 Jun 1966.
UK: Parlophone PCS 7009 Revolver 1966.
US: Capitol ST 2576 Revolver 1966.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46441 2 Revolver 1987.Mono [a] has a noticeably longer fade (8 seconds) that helps, and louder bass and percussion. The brass sound on mono [a] was augmented on June 20 by lifting brass sound from the master and overdubbing onto the mix done on June 17. This overdub, being on the mix tape, was not done in stereo [b]. [a] and [b] have different vocals at the fade, the line “every single day of my life”, which may be the use of different vocal tracks of the doubletracking.
Last updated on May 10, 2016
Lyrics
I was alone, I took a ride
I didn't know what I would find there
Another road where maybe I
Could see another kind of mind there
Ooo, then I suddenly see you
Ooo, did I tell you I need you?
Every single day of my life
You didn't run, you didn't lie
You know I wanted just to hold you
And had you gone, you knew in time
We'd meet again for I had told you
Ooo, you were meant to be near me
Ooo, and I want you to hear me
Say we'll be together every day
Got to get you into my life
What can I do, what can I be?
When I'm with you I want to stay there
If I'm true I'll never leave
And if I do I know the way there
Ooo, then I suddenly see you
Ooo, did I tell you I need you?
Every single day of my life
Got to get you into my life
I got to get you into my life
I was alone, I took a ride
I didn't know what I would find there
Another road where maybe I
Could see another kind of mind there
And suddenly I see you
Did I tell you I need you?
Every single day
Officially appears on
Official album • Released in 1966
2:39 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Tambourine
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Organ, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Eddie Thornton :
- Trumpet
- Ian Hamer :
- Trumpet
- Les Condon :
- Trumpet
- Alan Branscombe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Session Recording:
- Apr 07, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Apr 08, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Apr 11, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 17 & Jun 20, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1966
2:30 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Tambourine
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Organ, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Eddie Thornton :
- Trumpet
- Ian Hamer :
- Trumpet
- Les Condon :
- Trumpet
- Alan Branscombe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Session Recording:
- Apr 07, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Apr 08, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Apr 11, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 22, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1966
2:29 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Tambourine
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Organ, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Eddie Thornton :
- Trumpet
- Ian Hamer :
- Trumpet
- Les Condon :
- Trumpet
- Alan Branscombe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Session Recording:
- Apr 07, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Apr 08, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Apr 11, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 17 & Jun 20, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1966
2:29 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Tambourine
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Organ, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Eddie Thornton :
- Trumpet
- Ian Hamer :
- Trumpet
- Les Condon :
- Trumpet
- Alan Branscombe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Session Recording:
- Apr 07, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Apr 08, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Apr 11, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 22, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
Official album • Released in 1981
3:05 • Live • L1
Concert From "Concert For The People of Kampuchea" in London, United Kingdom on Dec 29, 1979
Official live • Released in 1990
3:22 • Live • L2
- Performed by :
- Paul McCartney • Linda McCartney • Robbie McIntosh • Hamish Stuart • Paul Wickens • Chris Whitten
- Paul McCartney :
- Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Peter Henderson :
- Producer
- Bob Clearmountain :
- Mixing engineer, Producer
- Jeff Cohen :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Foster :
- Assistant engineer
- Scott Hull :
- Assistant engineer
- George Cowan :
- Assistant engineer
- Paul Rushbrook :
- Assistant engineer
Concert From the concert in Dortmund, Germany on Oct 17, 1989
Tripping the Live Fantastic: Highlights!
Official live • Released in 1990
3:15 • Live • L2
- Performed by :
- Paul McCartney • Linda McCartney • Robbie McIntosh • Hamish Stuart • Paul Wickens • Chris Whitten
- Paul McCartney :
- Producer
- Eddie Klein :
- Assistant engineer
- Matt Butler :
- Assistant engineer
- Peter Henderson :
- Producer
- Bob Clearmountain :
- Mixing engineer, Producer
- Jeff Cohen :
- Recording engineer
- Geoff Foster :
- Assistant engineer
- Scott Hull :
- Assistant engineer
- George Cowan :
- Assistant engineer
- Paul Rushbrook :
- Assistant engineer
Concert From the concert in Dortmund, Germany on Oct 17, 1989
Official album • Released in 1996
2:54 • Outtake • C • Take 5. The arrangement of Paul's Got To Get You Into My Life altered significantly from first studio outing to last, the released version (Take 9) being layered with vocals and brass in addition to the group's own rhythm tracks. When the song was first aired in the studio, on 7 April, the Beatles recorded Takes 1 to 5, marking the last of these "best" (temporarily, as it turned out) and overdubbing vocals for the first time. The result is a piece of work scarcely comparable to the released version, with its different musical structure and some alternative lyrics. By the end of this session two of the tracks on the four-track tape had been filled, and doubtless the vacant ones would also have been completed had the Beatles decided to press on. Instead, returning to Abbey Road the next day, they shelved Take 5 and moved on the song in a different direction.
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Apr 07, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Revolver (Mono - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:29 • Studio version • A2009 • Mono • 2009 mono remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Tambourine
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Organ, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Eddie Thornton :
- Trumpet
- Ian Hamer :
- Trumpet
- Les Condon :
- Trumpet
- Alan Branscombe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Sean Magee :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Apr 07, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Apr 08, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Apr 11, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 17 & Jun 20, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Revolver (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:29 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums, Tambourine
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Organ, Producer
- Geoff Emerick :
- Recording engineer
- Eddie Thornton :
- Trumpet
- Ian Hamer :
- Trumpet
- Les Condon :
- Trumpet
- Alan Branscombe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe :
- Tenor saxophone
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Apr 07, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Apr 08, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Overdubs:
- Apr 11, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Jun 22, 1966
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
Bootlegs
On The Run - Bologna, Italy - November 26, 2011
Unofficial live
3:17 • Live
Concert From the concert in Bologna, Italy on Nov 26, 2011
Indianapolis IN February 15, 1990
Unofficial live
3:39 • Live
Concert From the concert in Indianapolis, USA on Feb 15, 1990
La Belle France - 24 June 2004
Unofficial live
2:44 • Live
Concert From the concert in Paris, France on Jun 24, 2004
Live performances
“Got to Get You Into My Life” has been played in 284 concerts and 11 soundchecks.
Latest concerts where Got to Get You Into My Life has been played
Los Angeles • Dodgers Stadium • USA
Jul 13, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Jul 10, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Jul 06, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Las Vegas • T Mobile Arena • USA
Jun 29, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
Las Vegas • T Mobile Arena • USA
Jun 28, 2019 • Part of Freshen Up Tour
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