One of our members sent me this interesting account of the recording session for From Us To You #4, from Disc on 25th July 1964.
It is transcribed at the bottom of the page.
Interesting to hear how George didn't even know the chords to IHJTDWY. That explains him not playing on it. But he also didn't know the words! Which explains the gender bending lyrics.
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From DISC, 25th July 1964
Fab Four's holiday show is great
Nigel Hunter goes to the recording session
I went along to the BBC's Paris Cinema radio studio in Lower Regent Street last Friday afternoon to watch The Beatles record their "From Us To You" Light Programme August Bank Holiday Monday show.
First to arrive was Paul McCartney with a carton of Cokes.
"Phew, isn't it hot?" he said, mopping his brow. "It's a drag working on days like this. Still, at least it's a good excuse to wear some crazy casual clothes.
"What do you think about the reaction to A Hard Day's Night?" I asked.
"Fabulous," said Paul, opening a coke with the practised speed of an expert. I thought it might be regarded as a load of rubbish by the critics. I enjoyed doing the picture we all did - but I never expected everyone else would enjoy it too. You can say I'm surprised and delighted."
We went back into the studio, just in time for the entry of the rest of the boys.
"Hello, Mick Jagger!" greeted Paul, as a burly, dark-spectacled John Lennon in swingingly casual gear led the way.
"What about a second film then?" I inquired of John with supreme optimism.
Dunno yet. We're still talking about it," he answered, unpacking his guitar. "It will be done by United Artists again, and Walter Shemson and Dick Lester will be handling the production and direction.
"It's a bit difficult about what we can do, isn't it? We can't do another Beatle-type thing like the first really, and we can't take the parts of total strangers if we're going to sing together. I'm looking at a book at the moment which might be okay to adapt into a film."
Producer Bryant Marriott got the session underway, and the first item going into the can was the belter "Long Tall Sally" featuring Paul.
"Great stuff," said John after Sally was complete, and he caught sight of a tray of sandwiches and tea coming in for him and George. There was a swift assault on the food, and then they got cracking on "Boys."
Next on the list was "Things We Said Today," which carried some minor alterations.
Ringo rose from his seat, crossed over to the group's cases, and picked up a coat. He returned to his kit, and tenderly wrapped the coat around the snare drum. Paul had followed him over, and now waved to me with a wide grin.
"Contrast"
"Here's a story for DISC, then, he called. "Ringo's playing his coat. Improvisation and all that." Ringo wasn't doing it to prevent his drum catching cold. He explained the reason later while John and Paul were doing a spot of double-tracking.
"It's for contrast," he said. "Helps deaden the sound a bit, and comes close to the effect we got in the studio when we recorded the number. I should use a cloth on the drum really, but I forgot."
John was playing acoustic guitar for this number, and used cigarette packet to help position the mike firmly near the sound-board of his instrument.
It was George's vocal turn next on "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You." But he wasn't very happy about it at all, especially after the first run-through.
"Sorry," he said to the control room, we haven't got much idea about this one yet. If I knew the chords, I could read the words, or if I knew the words, I could read the chords,"
He enlisted the aid of a music stand to prop up the song copy, much to the delight of the rest of the group, and got the number in the can after two false starts. Congratulations came from all sides, but he went back to his chair shaking his head about the whole thing.
The boys worked steadily through the hot afternoon, gagging among themselves and with the studio folk but not wasting any time at all in the process. Number after number went into the can with gratifying speed, and Bryant Marriott began to look less like he was producing the Queen's Christmas speech.
Judging by what I heard before I left and by the enthusiasm of the normally poker-faced studio staff, "From Us To You" on Bank Holiday Monday should get your radio receivers white hot with beautful entertainment.