The Beatles » Tracks » If I Fell

The Beatles – If I Fell (2:17)

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About This Track

If I Fell first appeared on the 1964 UK album A Hard Day’s Night and the US compilation album Something New. It was written primarily by John Lennon, with help from Paul McCartney.

Structure
The song is notable for its unusual structure, which includes an unrepeated introductory section (introduced as an afterthought as of take 11) followed by sequential verse sections, each having a slightly expanded form, but with no obvious chorus or bridge section. The song also features a two-part harmony, sung by Lennon and McCartney together into a single microphone at their suggestion, and intricate chord changes. The key changes from D flat major to D major between the introduction (a series of descending barre chords) and the main song, which uses mainly open chords, including an unusual D ninth.

Recording and performance
Lennon played acoustic guitar and sang, McCartney played bass and sang, George Harrison plucked out single notes on electric guitar, and Ringo Starr played drums.

There is an alternate take of the song in which McCartney’s voice strains and cracks at the end of a line, which first appeared on the Love Songs compilation double-LP, by an archivist’s error when returning to the master tapes in Capitol’s vault. Since then, this version has appeared in many places and is often heard on oldies stations in some markets. This version is the stereo version now found in The Capitol Albums box set. In the mono version, Paul’s voice strains, but does not crack.

The stereo mix of the song (found on the Hard Day’s Night LP and Something New) features a double-tracked opening by John. This was also Kurt Cobain’s favourite Beatles song, and was played by Nirvana whenever there were technical problems at their concerts.
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Albums featuring this track

  • A Hard Day's Night
    The Beatles Play
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  • Love Songs
    The Beatles Play
    Buy
  • Something New
    The Beatles Play
    Buy
  • EP Collection
    The Beatles Play
    Buy
See all 14 albums

Shouts

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  • noiresque

    Close harmony that matches sweetness and beauty of the Everly Brothers. One of my top 5 Beatles songs.

    last week

  • Cielofunk

    Those voices are so beautiful together

    last month

  • kmaja1

    the harmony just kills me <3

    March 2012

  • DavCnuk

    lovely

    March 2012

  • flutgos

    Perfect harmony! :) (2)

    March 2012

  • summerreveries

    Perfect harmony! :)

    February 2012

  • larilovesmusic

    So, I hope you see that I would love to love you.

    January 2012

  • WiseJake237

    Kurt Cobain's favorite Beatles song. Amazing, amazing song.

    January 2012

  • retrowens

    When I think of all the great Beatles HARMONIES, this song has their best harmony vocals in my opinion. Just classic!

    January 2012

  • Midnighttosix

    I am completely incredulous of John having composed this.

    September 2011

  • corky64

    Great....<3

    June 2011

  • StefanyK

    Would you promise to be true?

    May 2011

  • knaser

    i especially love, how they sing in two voices: "... don't hurt my pride like her 'cause I couldn't stand the pain...", just great

    February 2011

  • AranRyan

    Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

    December 2010

  • jakobdorof

    iq3htjdahtjdahtkyqtgk SO good

    November 2010

  • Indyjones45

    In my opinion, it just might be the best love song ever made c:

    October 2010

  • silversn0ww

    <33333

    October 2010

  • Cudia

    "that we are two"

    September 2010

  • Whiskey-Bar

    Perfect harmony between John and Paul.

    August 2010

  • robertsona_last

    best 'early beatles' song

    June 2010
See all 100 shouts

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