Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas – From A Window sheet music coverWritten by: Lennon-McCartney

‘From A Window’ was mainly written by Paul McCartney for Billy J Kramer, a singer also managed by Brian Epstein and signed to Parlophone.

That’s Paul’s. That’s his artsy period with Jane Asher. I’m not sure.
John Lennon, 1980
All We Are Saying, David Sheff

Kramer’s first three singles with the Dakotas – ‘Do You Want To Know A Secret’, ‘Bad To Me’, and ‘I’ll Keep You Satisfied’ – had also been Lennon-McCartney songs.

We would just make it up. We would sit down at rehearsal and grab a couple of hours somewhere and just with a pen and a bit of paper, scribble the lyrics down.
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

‘From A Window’ was Kramer’s fifth UK single. It was recorded at EMI Studios on 29 May 1964, with George Martin producing. Lennon and McCartney were in attendance, and McCartney can be heard singing harmony on the song’s final word.

The single was released in the UK on 17 July 1964, and reached number 10 on the singles chart. The b-side was ‘Second To None’.

In the US it fared slightly less well, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and becoming Kramer’s final US top 40 hit. On the flipside was another Lennon-McCartney song, ‘I’ll Be On My Way’.

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