I'm Looking Through You

Written by Lennon - McCartney

Album This song officially appears on the Rubber Soul (UK Mono) LP.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1965

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions






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Song facts

From Wikipedia:

I’m Looking Through You” is song by The Beatles written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon-McCartney). The song first appeared on 1965 album Rubber Soul. It was written about Jane Asher, McCartney’s girlfriend for five years, “You don’t look different, but you have changed,” the lyrics declare, reflecting his dissatisfaction with her and their relationship. The lyrics also reference his changing emotional state, “Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight“.

Recordings

During October and November 1965, the Beatles recorded three versions of the song. The original version recorded on 24 October was slower than the released version, had a significantly different rhythm, and lacked the “Why, tell me why…” middle eight of the final version. It was eventually released in 1996 on the Anthology 2 compilation. The final version was recorded on 10 November with overdubs on 11 November and is the version included on Rubber Soul.

The North American stereo version of the song contains two false guitar starts.

At 1:18, feedback can be heard on both the mono and stereo remastered versions.

In the mono version of this song on the 2006 box set The Capitol Albums, Volume 2 has this false guitar start, it indicates that it is from the first pressing of this set which erroneously substituted incorrect mono mixes; they were simply the channels of the stereo versions combined, rather than the original mono mixes.

The album sleeve and other sources indicate that Ringo Starr played Hammond organ on this track, an unusual instrument for the Beatle drummer. Mark Lewisohn reported that he could not hear the organ and that Hammond organ was not listed on the session tape box. Starr plays quick two-note vamps in the choruses. Also, Starr created a percussive sound by tapping a box of matches with his fingers and slapping his lap for a drum beat as he did on “I’ll Follow the Sun“.

Personnel

MacDonald was unsure whether Harrison or McCartney played the electric guitar part.

Paul McCartney, from Many Years From Now, Barry Miles:

I wrote quite a lot of stuff up in that room actually [in Jane Asher’s family home]. I’m Looking Through You I seem to remember after an argument with Jane. There were a few of those moments. […]

As is one’s wont in relationships, you will from time to time argue or not see eye to eye on things, and a couple of the songs around this period were that kind of thing. This one I remember particularly as me being disillusioned over her commitment. She went down to the Bristol Old Vic quite a lot around this time. Suffice to say that this one was probably related to that romantic episode and I was seeing through her façade. And realising that it wasn’t quite all that it seemed. I would write it out in a song and then I’ve got rid of the emotion. I don’t hold grudges so that gets rid of that little bit of emotional baggage. I remember specifically this one being about that, getting rid of some emotional baggage. ‘I’m looking through you, and you’re not there!’

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.
  • [b1] stereo, untrimmed.
    US: Capitol ST 2442 Rubber Soul 1965.
  • [c] stereo 1987.
    CD: EMI CDP 7 46440 2 Rubber Soul 1987.

[b] fades earlier than [a]. [b1] begins with two false starts on guitar, evidently trimmed off [b].

The CD mix [c] moves Paul’s vocal closer to the center. At 1:34 the second note of the third “blat blat” (organ?) suddenly is mixed center instead of to the right like all its other notes, on CD [c] only.

I had a question about a percussion sound on Rubber Sould and thought this was a good opportunity to ask Ringo. “What’s that tapping sound on “I’m Looking Through You”? I asked. He said, “Oh, I just tapped on a pack of matches with my finder.” That’s great! Fantastic! I’m really happy to know that bit of inside information!

Barry Tashian – Leader of the Remains, one of the opening acts of the Beatles for the 1966 US Tour – From “Ticket To ride – The Extraordinary Diary of The Beatles’ Last Tour” by Barry Tashian

Last updated on September 20, 2023

Lyrics

I'm looking through you
Where did you go?
I thought I knew you
What did I know?

You don't look different
But you have changed
I'm looking through you
You're not the same

Your lips are moving
I cannot hear
Your voice is soothing
But the words aren't clear

You don't sound different
I've learned the game
I'm looking through you
You're not the same

Why, tell me why
Did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit
Of disappearing overnight

You're thinking of me
The same old way
You were above me
But not today

The only difference
Is you're down there
I'm looking through you
And you're nowhere

Why, tell me why
Did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit
Of disappearing overnight

I'm looking through you
Where did you go?
I thought I knew you
What did I know?

You don't look different
But you have changed
I'm looking through you
You're not the same

Yeah, oh, baby you've changed
Aah, I'm a-looking through you
Yeah, I'm looking through you
You've changed, you've changed
You've changed, you've changed

Officially appears on


Rubber Soul (UK Mono)

LP • Released in 1965

2:23 • Studio versionA • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Nov 11, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 15, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


Rubber Soul (UK Stereo)

LP • Released in 1965

2:23 • Studio versionB1 • Stereo • Untrimmed version of [B]

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Nov 11, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 15, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


Rubber Soul (US Mono)

Official album • Released in 1965

2:30 • Studio versionA • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Nov 11, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 15, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


Rubber Soul (US Stereo)

Official album • Released in 1965

2:32 • Studio versionB • Stereo

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Nov 11, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 15, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


Rubber Soul (1987 mix)

CD • Released in 1987

2:23 • Studio versionC • Stereo • 1987 mix

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
1987 remixing, Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Nov 11, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Anthology 2

Official album • Released in 1996

2:54 • OuttakeD • First master version. The Beatles spent nine hours on 24 October working on I'm Looking Through You, perfecting a rhythm track and then overdubbing lead and harmony vocals on to this new Paul McCartney composition. For two weeks the result was considered to be the master, until a remake was started on 6 November (and another one followed on the 10th) that added the two "Why, tell me why" choruses and caused the fine first version to remain unissued.

George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
Oct 24, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Rubber Soul (US - 2006 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2006

2:32 • Studio versionB2006 • Stereo • 2006 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Ted Jensen :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Nov 11, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 15, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


Rubber Soul (US - 2006 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2006

2:30 • Studio versionA2006 • Mono • 2006 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Ted Jensen :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
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

2:23 • Studio versionA2009 • Mono • 2009 mono remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
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:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
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

2:23 • Studio versionB1.2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Organ, Percussion
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Tambourine
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:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Nov 11, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 15, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


Bootlegs




Wonderful Christmas Tracks

Unofficial live

2:49 • Live


Yellow Submarine Sessions

Unofficial album

2:51 • Outtake • Take 1 John Barrett Mix Stereo


Complete Controlroom Monitor Mixes - Volume 1

Unofficial album

2:49 • Studio version


Live performances

“I'm Looking Through You” has been played in 36 concerts and 13 soundchecks.

Latest concerts where I'm Looking Through You has been played







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