Got to Get You into My Life
"Got to Get You into My Life" | |
---|---|
Song by the Beatles | |
from the album Revolver | |
Released | 5 August 1966 |
Recorded | 7 April & 17 June 1966 |
Studio | EMI, London |
Genre | |
Length |
|
Label | Parlophone |
Songwriter(s) | Lennon–McCartney |
Producer(s) | George Martin |
"Got to Get You into My Life" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Rock 'n' Roll Music | ||||
B-side | "Helter Skelter" | |||
Released | 9 July 1976 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
The Beatles US singles chronology | ||||
|
"Got to Get You into My Life" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, first released in 1966 on their album Revolver. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney.[4][5] The song is a homage to the Motown Sound, with colourful brass instrumentation[6] and lyrics that suggest a psychedelic experience.[1] "It's actually an ode to pot," McCartney explained.[7]
A cover version by
Composition and recording
Though officially credited to
The brass was close-miked in the bells of the instruments, then put through a limiter.[15] This session, on 18 May,[16] marked the first time that the Beatles had used a horn section.[17][18]
The song starts with a blaring brass
appears at 1:53 and at 2:10 the horn fanfare re-enters. The song closes with fading vocals of McCartney.In
/
Release and reception
Parlophone released Revolver on 5 August 1966 with "Got to Get You into My Life" sequenced as the penultimate track,[19] between Harrison's "I Want to Tell You" and Lennon's "Tomorrow Never Knows".[20] According to Devin McKinney, while McCartney's songs can be heard individually as "simple affirmations", in the context of their placement on Revolver, "each song gains" from the reflected depth of the Lennon and Harrison compositions. McKinney writes that "Got to Get You into My Life" "is notable for being as expressive of a simple livid frustration as any McCartney music to date: its two minutes are a tight mass of constipated fury, an existential annoyance expressing itself as romantic confusion".[21]
In his review of the song for
Musicologist Walter Everett describes "Got to Get You into My Life" as "always ... one of the LP's most popular tracks" due to the success of its cover recordings, the first of which was a 1966 UK top-ten hit by Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, co-produced by McCartney, and the 1976 single release of the Beatles' original.[16] Music critic Tim Riley says the song is the "most derivative cut" on Revolver but nevertheless identifies it as an authentic rhythm and blues track that shows how well the Beatles had mastered the style.[25] Riley especially praises the song's closing section, introduced by a Harrison guitar break that he describes as "dazzling" in sound and a combination of "crimped energy" and "tasty ornaments", followed by McCartney's vocal interplay with the brass.[26]
When asked about the song in his 1980 Playboy interview, Lennon said, "Paul's again. I think that was one of his best songs, too."[5]
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[36] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Personnel
According to Ian MacDonald:[9]
The Beatles
- double-trackedlead vocal, bass
- John Lennon – rhythm guitar (although MacDonald was unsure if Lennon played the rhythm guitar part)
- George Harrison – lead guitar
- Ringo Starr – drums, tambourine
Additional musicians
- George Martin – organ, producer
- Eddie Thornton – trumpet
- Ian Hamer – trumpet
- Les Condon – trumpet
- Alan Branscombe – tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe – tenor saxophone
Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers version
English band Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers released the first cover version of the song in August 1966, released the same day as the Beatles' album Revolver, on which the song appears.[37]
Background
In early 1966, Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers were the opening act for the Beatles on their final European tour. Bennett got the opportunity to hear "Got to Get You into My Life", which was used on the Revolver album, but was never released as a single.[38] Bennett recorded it, with his own composition "Baby Each Day" appearing on the B-side.[38] Paul McCartney produced the session. The record reached No. 6 on the UK chart,[38] becoming Bennett's biggest ever hit.[39] Bennett returned to the songbook of McCartney / Lennon in 1968 when he recorded "Back in the USSR" as Cliff Bennett and His Band.
Earth, Wind & Fire version
"Got to Get You into My Life" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Earth, Wind & Fire | ||||
from the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (soundtrack) and The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 | ||||
B-side | "I'll Write a Song for You" | |||
Released | 14 July 1978 | |||
Recorded | 1977 | |||
Genre | Rhythm and blues | |||
Length | 4:03 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Lennon–McCartney | |||
Producer(s) | Maurice White | |||
Earth, Wind & Fire singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Official audio | ||||
"Got to Get You into My Life" on YouTube |
A cover version by
Critical reception
"Got to Get You into My Life" won a
Chart performance
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[51] | 29 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[52] | 33 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[53] | 20 |
33 | |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[55] | 30 |
US Billboard Hot 100[56] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles[41] | 1 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[57] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Other cover versions
- Blood, Sweat & Tears released the song on their 1975 album New City, with the single reaching no. 62 in the US.[58]
- Chicago released the song on their album Chicago XXXIV: Live in '75, recorded live in 1975 and released in 2011.[59]
- Daniel Johnston released the song on his album 1990.[60]
- Connie Evingson covered the song on her album Let it Be Jazz: Connie Evingson Sings the Beatles.[61]
- Joe Pesci covered the song on his album Little Joe Sure Can Sing!.[62]
Notes
- ^ ISBN 0-7914-6716-3.
- ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ^ Sullivan, James (14 June 2013). "15 Songs You Didn't Know Were About Drugs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d Miles 1997, p. 190.
- ^ a b c Sheff 2000, p. 181.
- ISBN 0-634-05548-8.
- ^ a b "100 Greatest Beatles Songs: #50 – 'Got to Get You Into My Life'". Rolling Stone. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
- ISBN 9780307452405.
- ^ a b MacDonald 2005, p. 193.
- ^ Lewisohn 1988, pp. 72–83.
- ISBN 978-1-851-52975-9p. 217
- ^ Everett 1999, p. 38.
- ^ Rodriguez 2012, p. 111.
- ^ McKinney 2003, pp. 139, 378.
- ^ Morin 1998.
- ^ a b Everett 1999, p. 39.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (5 August 2016). "Celebrating 'Revolver': Beatles' First On-Purpose Masterpiece". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
- ^ Rodriguez 2012, p. 112.
- ^ Lewisohn 1988, p. 84.
- ^ Miles 2001, pp. 239–40.
- ^ McKinney 2003, p. 139.
- ^ Ward, Thomas. "The Beatles 'Got to Get You into My Life'". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
- ^ Plagenhoef, Scott (9 September 2009). "The Beatles: Revolver Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ Riley 2002, pp. 197–98.
- ^ Riley 2002, pp. 198–99.
- ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
- ^ Canada RPM Top Singles, August 14, 1976
- ^ Canada RPM MOR Playlist, August 14, 1976
- ^ "The Beatles Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- Record Research. p. 25.
- ^ Hoffmann, Frank (1983). The Cash Box Singles Charts, 1950–1981. Metuchen, New Jersey & London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 32–34.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 26, No. 14 & 15, January 08 1977". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
- ^ Musicoutfitters.com
- ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1976". Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – The Beatles – Got to Get You into My Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-275-99860-8.
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ^ Bruce Eder. "Cliff Bennett | Biography". AllMusic.
- ^ Earth, Wind & Fire: 'Got To Get You Into My Life' (Media notes). Columbia Records. July 1978.
- ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got To Get You into My Life (Hot Soul Singles)". billboard.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got To Get You into My Life (Hot 100)". billboard.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. 1". newspapers.com. New York Daily News. 10 December 1978. p. 355.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got To Get You Into My Life". allmusic.com.
- ^ Albums. Vol. 40. Cash Box Pub. Co. 25 November 1978. p. 35.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ Pearson, Paul (25 July 2018). "The Top 100 Cover Songs: 34. Earth Wind & Fire, 'Got to Get You Into My Life' (1978)". Treble. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 29 July 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ "Maurice White". grammy.com. 23 November 2020.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". grammy.com. 23 November 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0024." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire – Got To Get You Into My Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire – Got To Get You Into My Life". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Earth Wind & Fire: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Earth Wind Fire Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ "Earth Wind Fire Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- RIAA. 14 September 1978.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 91.
- ^ Chicago XXXIV: Live in '75 (booklet). Rhino. 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-86719-667-2.
- ^ "Let it Be Jazz: Connie Evingson Sings the Beatles". allaboutjazz.com. 25 September 2003.
- ^ Staff, Best Classic Bands (7 August 2015). "Listen to Joe Pesci Sing Beatles and Bee Gees Hits on 1968 Album". Best Classic Bands. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
References
- ISBN 978-0-19-512941-0.
- ISBN 0-517-57066-1.
- ISBN 1-84413-828-3.
- McKinney, Devin (2003). Magic Circles: The Beatles in Dream and History. Cambridge, Massachusetts: ISBN 0-674-01202-X.
- ISBN 0-8050-5249-6.
- Miles, Barry (2001). The Beatles Diary Volume 1: The Beatles Years. London: ISBN 0-7119-8308-9.
- Morin, Cari (1998). The Evolution of Beatles' Recording Technology.
- ISBN 978-0-306-81120-3.
- Rodriguez, Robert (2012). Revolver: How the Beatles Reimagined Rock 'n' Roll. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: ISBN 978-1-61713-009-0.
- ISBN 0-312-25464-4.
- Wallgren, Mark (1982). The Beatles on Record. New York City: ISBN 0-671-45682-2.
- "Earth, Wind & Fire - Awards". The Official Earth, Wind & Fire Website. 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
- Pollack, Alan W (29 August 1999). "Notes on "Got to Get You into My Life"".