Beatles Notes
H
Happiness is a Warm Gun 1
(Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: John
Recorded: 23, 24, 25 Sep 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: Title came from a gun ad with added sexual meaning. Phrases added by friends when on an acid trip. Derek Taylor suggested "She's not a girl who misses much." "Velvet touch" was about fellow wearing moleskin gloves for sex. Lizard on window was from events in LA. "Multicolored mirrors" was from a news story about a Manchester City soccer fan arrested for putting mirrors on his shoes to look up dresses. "Lying with his eyes while his hands were working overtime," was ostensibly from a shoplifter who had fake arms in his coat. "Donating to the National Trust," was slang for shitting (donating what you'd eaten) on National Trust (public park) property. The guitars are in 3/4 and the drums in 4/4.
A Hard Day's Night 2 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly John
Recorded: 16 Apr 64
Released: 10 Jul 64 (UK), 13 Jul 64 (US); on "A Hard Day's Night": 26 Jun 64 (US), 10 Jul 64 (UK)
Notes: Paul sang because notes were too high for John. The title is widely cedited to Ringo, but John had used in a piece written years before: "sad Michael" in "In His Own Write."
Hello Little Girl (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly John
Recorded:
Released:
Notes: Written for the Fourmost, revived from his very first attempt at songwriting.
Hello Goodbye 3 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 2, 19, 20, 25 Oct, 2 Nov 67
Released: 24 Nov 67 (UK), 27 Nov 67 (US); on "Magical Mystery Tour" 27 Nov 67 (US)
Notes: About Brian's death.
Help! 4 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly John
Recorded: 13 Apr 65
Released: 19 Jul 65 (US), 23 Jul 65 (UK); on "Help!": 6 Aug 65 (UK), 13 Aug 65 (US)
Notes: He consciously used 2-3 syllable words (self-assured, Appreciate, independence, insecure) because of a comment from writer Maureen Cleave. Written 4 Apr 65. John envisioned it in a slow Dylan-like tempo.
Helter Skelter 5 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 9, 10 Sep 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: Chutes and ladders at an English fairground. Inspired by The Who's "I Can See for Miles." Ringo is hollering about blisters. Paul says Helter Skelter is a confusing night club.
Her Majesty 6 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 2 Jul 69
Released: on "Abbey Road": 26 Sept 69 (UK), 1 Oct 69 (US)
Notes: Written in Scotland. It was originally between Mr, Mustard and Polythene Pam and moved to the end. Retains, fist and last cords of those songs.
Here, There and Everywhere 7 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 14, 16, 17 Jun 66
Released: on "Revolver": 5 Aug 66 (UK), 8 Aug 66 (US)
Notes: One of John's favorites. Inspired by Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." First verse deals with "here," second with "there," etc. About Jane.
Here Comes the Sun 8 (Harrison)
Real Author: George
Recorded: 7, 8, 16 Jul, 6, 11, 15, 19 Aug 69
Released: on "Abbey Road": 26 Sept 69 (UK), 1 Oct 69 (US)
Notes: Written in Eric Clapton's garden in Jan after running away from a difficult Apple business meeting with the others and Klein.
Hey Bulldog 9 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: John
Recorded: 11 Feb 68
Released: on "Yellow Submarine": 13 Jan 69 (US), 17 Jan 69 (UK)
Notes: Knocked off in a hurry for Yellow Submarine. Was originally "Hey Bullfrog" until Paul started barking.
Hey Jude 10 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 31 Jul, 1 Aug (orchestra) 68
Released: 26 Aug 68 (US), 30 Aug 68 (UK)
Notes: Ostensibly written for Julian, after John and Cynthia breakup. Recorded at Trident to use their 8-track setup. John thought it was about him.
Hold Me Tight 11 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Mostly Paul
Recorded: 12 Sep 63
Released: on "With the Beatles": 22 Nov 63 (UK), on "Meet the Beatles": 20 Jan 64 (US)
Notes: Inspired by the Shirelles. They had already covered their "Baby, It's You" and "Hold Me Tight."
Honey Pie 12 (Lennon and McCartney)
Real Author: Paul
Recorded: 1, 2, 4 Oct 68
Released: on "The Beatles": 22 Nov 68 (UK), 25 Nov 68 (US)
Notes: Tribute to Paul's dad, the kinds of songs he did. Inspired by "Cheek to Cheek," from an old Fred Astair movie.
1 "Happiness is a Warm Gun"
[Happiness is a Warm Gun : The Beatles]
2 "A Hard Day's Night"
[A Hard Day's Night : A Hard Day's Night]
3 "Hello Goodbye"
No Comment
[Hello Goodbye : Magical Mystery Tour]
4 "Help!"
[Help! : Help!]
5 "Helter Skelter"
[Helter Skelter : The Beatles]
6 "Her Majesty"
[Her Majesty : Abbey Road]
7 "Here There And Everywhere"
[Here, There and Everywhere : Revolver]
8 "Here Comes The Sun"
[Here Comes the Sun : Abbey Road]
9 "Hey Bulldog"
[Hey Bulldog : Yellow Submarine]
10 "Hey Jude"
[Hey Jude : Singles]
11 "Hold Me Tight"
[Hold Me Tight : With the Beatles]
12 "Honey Pie"
[Honey Pie : The Beatles]
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