“If I Needed Someone” – A Harrison Masterpiece (1965)
- Composer: George Harrison
- Recording Dates: 16, 18 October 1965
- Producer: George Martin
- Recording Engineer: Norman Smith
- Release Dates: 3 December 1965 (UK), 15 June 1966 (US)
- Available on:Album: Rubber Soul
- Personnel:
-
- George Harrison: Vocals, 12-string Electric Guitar
- John Lennon: Harmony Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
- Paul McCartney: Harmony Vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr: Drums, Tambourine
About The Song
“If I Needed Someone” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by George Harrison, the group’s lead guitarist, and released on their 1965 album Rubber Soul. The song reflects the reciprocal influences shared between the Beatles and American band the Byrds. On release, it was widely considered to be Harrison’s best song to date. “If I Needed Someone” was the first Harrison composition to become a chart hit, as a result of the Hollies’ cover. The song peaked at number 20 in Britain, but by the group’s standards at the time, it was one of their least successful singles. It also charted in Sweden, peaking at number 14 on Tio i Topp.
A recording by the Hollies was issued in Britain on the same day as Rubber Soul and peaked at number 20 on the national singles chart. Many listeners perceived the single as the Hollies attempting to align themselves with the Beatles.
Personnel:
- George Harrison – lead vocals, lead guitar
- John Lennon – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Paul McCartney – bass, backing vocals
- Ringo Starr – drums
Charts:
- UK Singles Chart: 20
- Sweden: 14
Cover versions:
- The Hollies (1965)
- Percy Faith & His Orchestra (1966)
- The Turtles (1967)
- Cilla Black (1967)
- Cliff Richard (1968)
- The Carpenters (1970)
- Barry Manilow (1977)
- The Bangles (1988)
- The Posies (1993)
Reception:
“If I Needed Someone” was one of the first Harrison songs to be praised by critics. Record Mirror called it a “gem” and New Musical Express said it was “outstanding.” NME also said that the song was “a good example of the way George is maturing as a songwriter.”
Legacy:
“If I Needed Someone” is now considered to be one of Harrison’s finest songs. It has been covered by many artists, and it is still a popular song today.
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