Got to Get You into My Life
"Got to Get You into My Life" | |
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![]() Cover of the Northern Songs sheet music (licensed to Sonora Musikförlag) | |
Song by the Beatles | |
from the album Revolver | |
Released | 5 August 1966 |
Recorded | 7 April & 17 June 1966 |
Studio | EMI, London |
Genre | |
Length |
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Label | Parlophone |
Songwriter(s) | Lennon–McCartney |
Producer(s) | George Martin |
"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. A cover version by Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, produced by McCartney, peaked at number six in 1966 in the UK.[7] The song was issued in the United States as a single from the Rock 'n' Roll Music compilation album in 1976, six years after the Beatles disbanded. Another cover version by Earth, Wind & Fire from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band film soundtrack peaked at number nine in the US in 1978.
Composition and recording[]
![]() | This section possibly contains original research. (December 2018) |
Though officially credited to Lennon–McCartney, McCartney was primarily responsible for the writing of the song,[4][5] to which he also contributed lead vocals.[8] It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios between 7 April and 17 June 1966 and evolved considerably between the first takes and the final version released on album.[9] The song seems to have been hard to arrange until the soul-style horns, strongly reminiscent of the Stax' Memphis soul and Motown sound, were introduced.[10] The original version of the track, taped on the second day of the Revolver sessions, featured an arrangement that included harmonium and acoustic guitar, and a partly a-cappella section (repeating the words "I need your love") sung by McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison.[11] In the description of author Robert Rodriguez, relative to the "R&B-styled shouter" that the band completed in June, this version was "more Haight-Ashbury than Memphis".[12] Author Devin McKinney similarly views the early take as "radiat[ing] peace in a hippie vein", and he recognises the arrangement as a forerunner to the sound adopted by the Beach Boys over 1967–1968 on their albums Smiley Smile and Wild Honey.[13]
The brass was close-miked in the bells of the instruments, then put through a limiter.[14] This session, on 18 May,[15] marked the first time that the Beatles had used a horn section.[16][17]
The song starts with a blaring brass fanfare, McCartney's vocals entering at 0:07. The chorus of the song appears at 1:04, with the song's title sung. The song then switches between a verse and the refrain. A short electric guitar solo appears at 1:53 and at 2:10 the horn fanfare re-enters. The song closes with fading vocals of McCartney.
In Barry Miles' 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, McCartney disclosed that the song was about marijuana.[4] "'Got to Get You into My Life' was one I wrote when I had first been introduced to pot ... So [it's] really a song about that, it's not to a person."[4] Many lyrics from the song suggest this: "I took a ride, I didn't know what I would find there / Another road where maybe I could see some other kind of mind there.",'"What can I do? What can I be? When I'm with you, I want to stay there / If I am true, I will never leave and if I do, I'll know the way there." "It's actually an ode to pot," McCartney explained, "like someone else might write an ode to chocolate or a good claret."[18]
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 AllMusic, Thomas Ward writes: "McCartney's always been a great vocalist, and this is perhaps the best example of his singing on Revolver. One of the overlooked gems on the album."[22] Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork considers Revolver to be McCartney's "maturation record" as a songwriter in the same way that Rubber Soul had been for Lennon in 1965. He highlights "Got to Get You into My Life" as one of McCartney's "most demonstrative songs" on the album and a reflection of his innate "optimism and populism".[23] Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound admires the psychedelic tone of Revolver, but says that this experimentalism renders the more standard pop songs, such as "Got to Get You into My Life" and "Here, There and Everywhere", "seemingly out of place" within the collection.[24]
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.[15] 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]
The song was featured in the closing credits of Minions.
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
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Year-end charts[]
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Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[36] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Personnel[]
According to Ian MacDonald:[8]
The Beatles
- Paul McCartney – double-tracked lead 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
- Eddie Thornton – trumpet
- Ian Hamer – trumpet
- Les Condon – trumpet
- Alan Branscombe – tenor saxophone
- Peter Coe – tenor saxophone
Earth, Wind & Fire version[]
"Got to Get You into My Life" | ||||
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![]() US picture sleeve | ||||
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 | ||||
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A cover version by Earth, Wind & Fire was issued as a single in July 1978 by Columbia Records.[37] Their rendition reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.[38][39] The song also rose to No. 33 on the UK Singles chart.[40] "Got to Get You into My Life" has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Critical reception[]
The New York Daily News described Earth, Wind & Fire's version of "Got To Get You into My Life" as "oh-so-cool".[41] Allmusic noted the tune as "a great remake".[42] Cashbox also called EWF's cover of the song an "innovative rendition".[43] Treble website placed this version as number thirty-four of "the top 100 cover songs".[44]
"Got to Get You into My Life" won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).[45] The song was also nominated for a Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.[46]
Chart performance[]
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[39] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles[38] | 1 |
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[47] | 30 |
Canadian Adult Contemporary Songs[48] | 29 |
UK Singles[40] | 33 |
Dutch Single Top 100[49] | 33 |
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[50] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Other cover versions[]
![]() | This section does not cite any sources. (April 2020) |
- Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers in 1966 (UK chart No. 6), produced by Paul McCartney
- Blood, Sweat, and Tears released the song on their 1975 album New City, with the single reaching no. 62 in the US.[51]
- Daniel Johnston released the song on his album 1990.
Notes[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Kenneth Womack, Todd F. Davis (2006). Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, and the Fab Four. SUNY Press. p. 119. ISBN 0-7914-6716-3.
- ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (2 November 2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 53. 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.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Miles 1997, p. 190.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Sheff 2000, p. 181.
- ^ DeRogatis, Jim (2003). Turn on Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock. Hal Leonard. p. 45. ISBN 0-634-05548-8.
- ^ Winn, John C. (2009). That Magic Feeling: The Beatles' Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966–1970. Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony. p. 38. ISBN 9780307452405.
- ^ Jump up to: a b MacDonald 2005, p. 193.
- ^ Lewisohn 1988, pp. 72–83.
- ^ The Complete Beatles Chronicle ISBN 978-1-851-52975-9 p. 217
- ^ Everett 1999, p. 38.
- ^ Rodriguez 2012, p. 111.
- ^ McKinney 2003, pp. 139, 378.
- ^ Morin 1998.
- ^ Jump up to: 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.
- ^ "100 Greatest Beatles Songs: #50 – 'Got to Get You Into My Life'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Coplan, Chris (20 September 2009). "Album Review: The Beatles – Revolver [Remastered]". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ Riley 2002, pp. 197–98.
- ^ Riley 2002, pp. 198–99.
- ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book (1940–1969). Turramurra: Lulu.com. 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.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. 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
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "American single certifications – The Beatles – Got to Get You into My Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Earth, Wind & Fire: 'Got To Get You Into My Life' (Media notes). Columbia Records. July 1978.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got To Get You into My Life (Hot Soul Singles)". billboard.com.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got To Get You into My Life (Hot 100)". billboard.com.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "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. Cashbox. 40. Cash Box Pub. Co. 25 November 1978. p. 35.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Maurice White". grammy.com. 23 November 2020.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire". grammy.com. 23 November 2020.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 78.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got to Get You Into My Life (Canadian Adult Contemporary Songs)". bac-lac.gc.ca. RPM.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got to Get You into My Life". dutchcharts.nl.
- ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Got to Get You into My Life". riaa.com. RIAA. 14 September 1978.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 91.
References[]
- Everett, Walter (1999). The Beatles as Musicians: Revolver Through the Anthology. New York City: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512941-0.
- Lewisohn, Mark (1988). The Beatles Recording Sessions. New York City: Harmony Books. ISBN 0-517-57066-1.
- MacDonald, Ian (2005). Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties (Second Revised ed.). London: Pimlico (Rand). ISBN 1-84413-828-3.
- McKinney, Devin (2003). Magic Circles: The Beatles in Dream and History. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-01202-X.
- Miles, Barry (1997). Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now. New York City: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0-8050-5249-6.
- Miles, Barry (2001). The Beatles Diary Volume 1: The Beatles Years. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-8308-9.
- Morin, Cari (1998). The Evolution of Beatles' Recording Technology.
- Riley, Tim (2002) [1988]. Tell Me Why – The Beatles: Album by Album, Song by Song, the Sixties and After. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-306-81120-3.
- Rodriguez, Robert (2012). Revolver: How the Beatles Reimagined Rock 'n' Roll. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1-61713-009-0.
- Sheff, David (2000). All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. New York City: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-25464-4.
- Wallgren, Mark (1982). The Beatles on Record. New York City: Simon & Schuster. 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"".
External links[]
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Wikiquote has quotations related to: Revolver (Beatles album) |
- The Beatles songs
- 1966 songs
- 1966 singles
- 1976 singles
- 1978 singles
- RPM Top Singles number-one singles
- Earth, Wind & Fire songs
- Song recordings produced by George Martin
- Songs written by Lennon–McCartney
- Songs about cannabis
- Capitol Records singles
- Columbia Records singles
- Parlophone singles
- Songs published by Northern Songs
- Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)