62???? Dang that was advanced for a silly little love song at that time. Those chords, that rhythm... in a pop song? Didn't chart, but you got to give them props for such a daring move.
This extremely early Beatles song, among their first few recordings, showcases many of their talents (especially their harmonies) that would shine bright in the future. One of my favorites of their early catalog. I learned this on guitar long ago.
I remember hearing “Ask Me Why” at a party in my Art Class in 6th grade and falling in love with it. When I started guitar lessons, I got a book of Beatle songs, and this was in it. I started learning it immediately. Thanks for the memory!
I had completely forgotten this beautiful song. Thanks for doing this, really made my day. Just goes to show how good they were even right at the beginning.😊
As usual, amazing analysis & performance of yet another incredible Beatles song by Mike P! Thanks so much for keeping their music alive & well Mike! 👍👍🎸🎸🎤🎤🥁🥁👏👏
This very early song has a LOT of sophistication and song craft in its progressions and melody. They had devotedly grow up with the music of pre-Rock tin pan alley etc…HARRISONS final chord puts the icing on the cake! Thanks…also of note is that on a lot of the early tunes they did NOT mic the acoustics they were played through their amps and those were mic’ed in effect they were recorded as electric guitars…this really changes the sound the biggest example is probably I FEEL FINE we’re Lennon’s acoustic in a amp caused that amazing intro feedback!
I've always loved this song. It's very nostalgic for me from the early 60's...just has that atmosphere about it. It hit me like the Everly Brothers' Cathy's Clown. Great harmonies, chord structure and melody. Thanks Mike, you are great for nailing these classic tunes.
Cathy’s Clown is actually the only pre-Beatles song that hit me in the way the Beatles (repeatedly) would later on. Written by Don Everly (Phil would relinquish his rights), this absolutely massive worldwide hit with its unusual song structure and haunting melody, featured a stunning two-part harmony that the Beatles would later use on “Please, Please Me”, where McCartney held a high E while Lennon’s melody descended below it. At that time, John and Paul would jokingly call themselves the Foreverly Brothers. “Cathy’s Clown” is truly a one-of-a-kind and will always have its place in my ‘favorite singles of all time’ list. A list dominated by Lennon & McCartney, who managed to churn out one one-of-a-kind after the other. Pure sorcery…
Thank you Mike for another comprehensive analysis. It is just staggering how John Paul and George could put together such a beautiful and complex song at such a young age, using quite basic chords.
I used to listen to Lp all the time when I was 5/6 years old onwards. This was one of my favorites. I mean you really can’t have a favorite when you’re speaking of Beatles Songs . Well Mike that was excellent as always!!! ❤🎶🎸
Thanks Mike for keeping these gems alive. Many folks just don't realize how sophisticated even their very early numbers were. I still have all my copies of this album and everyone they ever put out. I'm just upset I didn't have the foresight to just buy extra copies and keep a few sealed!!! Recall the the mono (hifi) copies were only 2.99 and stereos were 3.99. God Bless and thanks again for your effort to spread their joy!!
Seminal. I have always played this song in my own way, tho knowing I hadn't nailed it. You've unlocked the mysteries Mike! George's pieces fit so well and are key to the sound differentiation of the band - together with all the other golden bits (ie every vocal, every played note and every beat). They were so disciplined. Thank you!
Totally amazing break down Mike!! Totally amazing!! Great early song..and it shows just how early their genius was developing!! You did it again..perfection!!
Thanks Mike. Fantastic lesson as always and you’ve nailed the soundalike. I agree the guitar playing on this is awesome. Interesting I’d always thought George played his Gretsch Duo Jet on this - listening again it could be either that or the Gibson… Great job and thanks again for this series - it really brings these songs to life
Great job of transcribing all the parts if this great song. I’m always amazed at how good you are at doing all these Beatles songs. I remember this song vividly when it came out. I was 10 years old and my friends and I used to lip sync this song from a record in my friends garage. We couldn’t play a note on the old guitars we had at that time but we loved to imitate the Beatles. Thanks for bringing these old songs to life again.
Love that you put a lot of effort on these lessons! Amazing as always! I'm waiting for a "I Want You(She's So Heavy)" lesson. Would really appreciate it
Great job. I think many people are shocked by how intricate those “silly little love songs” they wrote really are. George Martin added so much signature orchestration to their songs that he truly was the fifth Beatle in every way. I’ve come to respect Martin’s contributions more and more with each passing decade. He was really the big differentiator that took the Beatles to a whole other level over any other band that didn’t have Martin’s commitment to making their sound far more sophisticated than run-of-the-mill producers that other bands were stuck with. Brilliant nuances made Beatles song so difficult to replicate for garage band guys trying to get that Beatles sound. There are far more layers to their sound than it seems on the surface. Even subtle but powerful things like when John’s voice cracks when he sings “…makes me cry”. That was just brilliant. Great job Mike.
Good lord, does that ever take me back to the gritty early 60s! Very well crafted piece by Lennon. Very Cha-cha-cha night clubbish. Thanks for all your hard work bringing this together Mike.
Now Great once again Mike. To the ordinary person who loves the Beatles music it's just another great song. But when you play an instrument you get a greater appreciation of the talent these guys had at such a young age. Looking fwd to the next one.
i had that 45, i remember the mis- spelling. Bought it for Please Please me side! What a moron I was for not holding it ! Again great stuff Mike , love them all!
👏Excellent! Thanks for that, Mike! Some of the early Beatles songs were really on the edge of being soapy/corny, but I LOVED IT! And I still do... Q: can you do "Dear Prudence"? IMHO that is one of John's masterpieces...
Thank you again Mike! You are the best, and The Beatle fake books are fake after viewing the majority of the lessons you post. The back stories are so educational as well.
I'd like to have you continue in the early, early Beatles era, Mike, if it comports with your preferences and agenda by putting a curriculum together for the tune Lennon & Mac wrote for Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas called "Bad to Me". There doesn't seem to be one credible rendition of this song on line by any significant guitar channel owner. The best tutorial I've found goes back like 12 years performed by a guy with an acoustic guitar. The tabs available are all over the ball park in terms of the song key, the correct chords, proper voicings, etc. You would be able to add a heck of a lot of clarity on all the above along with right hand/strumming and timing techniques. Bad To Me was a great illustration of John/Paul's composition skills, inventive chord progressions, and a great top 40 hit on the charts at the time.
So wait, this is the second song they ever wrote face to face? Pretty good song ; now they have a backlog with I call your name, when I'm 64, one after 909 and more that have already been written, or nearly written. This is before love me do. Mind blown
Mike, do you have any idea how much the guitars, bass and drum kit cost back then? And how available selected instruments were? And I've always assumed Paul's 'lack of lefty' instruments was due to lack of availability. Every time I see him with his Martin D-28, I drop my head - "Why oh why didn't Martin fix that BEFORE Paul was playing YESTERDAY on TV?!!" In a world where 'signature models' are everywhere, I shake my head. "We gotta get TV sets into Nazareth PA some year-!!"
