No Reply

by

The Beatles

Album: Beatles For Sale      Released: 1964

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This was one of John Lennon's first songs to tell a complete story. The boy knocks on his girl's door, knows she is home because he sees her in the window, but she does not answer. Lennon wrote the song when he was inspired by the song "Silhouettes." He said, "I had that image of walking down the street and seeing her silhouetted in the window and not answering the phone." Music publisher Dick James told Lennon that it was the first "complete" song that John had ever written: It had a beginning and an end. (Thanks to our Beatles expert Pattie Noah - check her out at luvmedeux.com.)

This starts with a vocal, which was rare for the time.

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Comments:

this song man...we (guys) have all been there john! way to relate to us!
- Nick, Seattle, Albania

nobody has really commented how unique a "1st person psychotic lover" song was at the time. sting must have listened to this obsessively at the time he began to notice girls. the police albums as well as sting's solo albums are LOADED with psychotic (ex)boyfriend songs and somehow they're always fascinating.
- andy, lake city, FL

I heard the Anthology 1 version of this song. the Demo where they're messing up a lot. omg its soo funny. they keep confusing when to say, "Your Door" and "Her Face" haha. and for the teens lol im 14! and im a huge beatles fan :]
- Kelly, Liverpool, United Kingdom

haha the Anthology version is hilarious, wayyy better
- nady, adelaide, Australia

I'd have to say after years of listening to Beatles music that this song has grown on me more than any other. Everything fits together so well on this tune. John voice is as good as gets in this too. I also like the middle section where the song picks up and the piano comes in. No reply...such a great title. One of the more underrated songs lyrically too.
- Eric, Buffalo, NY

John said this song was totally made up, based on other songs (particularly American) that he had heard. He said that he never even spoke to a girl on the phone while growing up, because it was not considered "proper" for British teenagers to use the telephone for courting in the 1950's.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

I'm 16. OK, OK, I WAS 16 when this song came out (how time flies). I didn't care for the Beatles then even though my best friend adored them, but 2 or 3 years later I really dug them (and have since). This is still one of my favorites of theirs to play & sing (along with about a score of others).... BTW, in the US this was the opening track on the Beatles '65 album. I kinda wish they'd put the US albums up at the top of these entries, along with the UK albums. They give both countries' chart stats, after all!
- Fred, Laurel, MD

John's songwriting during this period (64-65) was simply amazing...and this is one of his obscure ones that has stood the test of time. I really like the chord changes - unique for the Beatles (like If I fell).
- Doug, Vernon, Canada

frodo is a hobbit. i know that because gandalf said so. the ring is evil, children!
- rebka, crapville, WY

I think John did go out with Sandy. It was probably a fling lasting a month or two, knowing John he enjoyed those monthly flings with girls.
- Joni, Carson City, NE

(sighs) Once again, it wasn't Sandy Denny that claimed John Lennon wrote this song about her but American actress, Sandy Dennis. Sandy wanted royalities from the song which I suppose wasn't much since I hardly ever hear the song except on rare Beatles tributes. Sandy claimed that Lennon was infatuated with her, which I suppose he was since he admired older women.
- Crystal, Elizabeth, NJ

I have the first two takes on my computer.. it's so funny hearing THE BEATLES mess up. You just think they can't make a mistake. Shows they're human, just like us.
- Jill, Duncan, Canada

Sad tune and heart-wrenching sympathy inducing lyrics. Lennon can really handle those "done me wrong" songs like no other. I love this song.
- Mike, Newark, ND

I think I've heard that ddemo Nessie.
- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC

Yes john lennon has a great singing voice but he is an even better guitarist. His playing is extremely underated. He is in the top 5 list of greatest musicians of all time. He might be the greatest musician ever.
- paul, flagstaff, AZ

"Lennon's original intent for this song was for it to be a waltz." You can hear them on a demo version trying to shoehorn it into a waltz beat -- with no luck at all.
- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan

Yep Im 16 and the beatles are so wonderful. its wierd how my parents liked the beatles at my age, and now i adore them...but unfortunatley you can never really see them live anymore...
- Kelly, Farmingdale, NY

This song is without a doubt one of those rare songs in which the singer (Lennon) makes you feel as if you are standing right beside him when he's outside the girl's house. Powerful vocal, and equally powerfully written. One of the greatest heart-felt songs ever sung and wrtitten.
- Roger, Bristol, TN

Hey Im' 15 too and I love The Beatles.
- Kristine, Hamilton, China

Starting the song off with a vocal was not rare for The Beatles. What was rare was that The Beatles started many songs off with a vocal,
- Roger, Bristol, TN

I agree. The Anthology 1 versions were better. The final one that came out on Beatles for Sale / Beatles '65 was too... generic.
- Martin Bonica, Sterling, VA

The normal version is pale and awful compared to the 2 versions on the Anthology one album. The 1st one they stopped because they kept getting the words world (I saw you peep through, your face). The 2nd one they RIP IT UP before deliberalty getting the words wrong and quitting in a fit of giggles. Check out Paul stealing the song with backup singing, particluarly in the 3rd verse. (you said it wasn't YOU! but ISAWYOUPEEPTHROUGH...)
- Matt, Cleveland, OH

i love all their early songs! this one is definitely at the top of my list, and jeanne i agree with you, john's voice is undescribable...sigh. by the way, im 15, any other teens around?
- Liliana, Huntley, IL

No Reply seems to be the first version of Lennon's "Jealous Guy". The way his voice breaks, it breaks my heart! And as I occurred to hear him joke as he was recording this song, makes me think that he felt something coming up from deep in his soul...
- Jeanne, Huy, Belgium

This song sort of freaks me out because I had a bloak like that one time. And he just wouldn't leave me alone!
- Brittanie, Liverpool, England

John Lennon's version of "Silhouettes" bearing a similar theme, but with a sad ending, instead of a happy one.
- Brandon, Seattle, WA

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