I Call Your Name by The Beatles

Album: The Beatles Second Album (1964)

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Songfacts®:

John Lennon wrote this for Billy J. Kramer, whose band Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas was signed to The Beatles British record label. Kramer released it as the B-side of his single "Bad to Me" in 1963. >>
Suggestion credit:
Russ - Seattle, WA
The first part Lennon composed 1957. Not until in spring 1964 - Lennon's very productive year - he composed the middle part. Lennon could create enormous power in his compositions with seemingly limited means: The middle part has only one melody, but in three different ways. This creates a feeling of desperation.
The three variations in the middle part end in the same note, but are emphasized in different ways:

1) "take it..."
2) "who can...
3) "ya take it..."

At the same time a counter melody in a guitar binds the three variations. The middle part is almost exactly the same as the middle part in Lennon's "And Your Bird Can Sing." >>
Suggestion credit:
Johan Cavalli, a music historian in Stockholm
The Beatles released this as a B side to the Long Tall Sally EP in England. "Long Tall Sally" was one of the songs Paul McCartney sang in Hamburg, and also the song that got him officially inducted into the group. >>
Suggestion credit:
Johnny - Los Angeles, CA
The Mamas & The Papas covered this in 1966. Their version appeared on their album If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears.

Comments: 10

Dennis from Sf Bay, UsaPrimrose Lane. I Cell Your Name. SKA instrumentals on both. An influence?
Charles Hollingswort from Leeds, AlIt was Michelle who whispered "John" on the song and it is a double tribute:one to Lennon and one to John Phillips.
George from Belleville, NjAnother standard Beatles song with hard driving rhythm and a classic rock sound.Their early songs had a certain charm about them.
Dnnz from Aqp, PeruYeah maggie you're right it was Twenty Flight Rock the song Mccartney played for Lennon
Mem from Melbourne, Australiajust letting you know john from cin its cass who says it
Freddy from Sporesville, Ky, Austriagreat song.
Daevid from Glendale, CaFrom what i've read in various beatles-history related books, this was the first attempt by John Lennon to write a song---at 15 years old.
John from Cincinnati, OhDuring the instrumental solo of the Mamas & Papas version, either Cass or Michelle whispers "John"--a tribute to John Lennon.
Ken from Louisville, KyRingo performed this song on a 1990 British television program marking what would have been John's 50th birthday (and also making the 10th anniversary of his death). Traveling Wilburys Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty also performed on it, but, curiously, George didn't.
Maggie from LondonHow was Long Tall Sally the song that got Paul McCartney officially inducted into the group? It was Twenty Flight Rock that he played for and impressed John Lennon with when they first met.

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