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Read the original blog post12.44pm
31 March 2008
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Written by: Arthur Alexander
Recorded: 11 February 1963
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 22 March 1963 (UK), 10 January 1964 (US)
John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
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2.58pm
25 November 2024
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Hello all! Day 3 of my Song Review series. This one is gonna be pretty short because I had a pretty crappy day yesterday and don’t feel like writing much.
Song 3/213: Anna (Go With Him)
This is a lovely cover. It’s not one of the better or worst songs on Please Please Me , it just lands in the middle for me. I do think the echo effects on the vocals are a bit much and don’t really need to be there at all, but it’s fine. They don’t take away that much, so it’s ultimately. They just slightly distract from the great vocals from John (and good backing vocals from Paul and George.) Honestly, in general, I am good at telling apart John and Paul’s voices, but on this song, John sounds a little bit like Paul. Anyone else hear that?
The sentiment of the song is very sweet. Obviously, the Beatles didn’t write the lyrics, but the lyrics definitely fit the vibe that the band was putting out around the time. The idea of giving up your own love to make the girl you’re with happy is always cute, and it fits the respectful imagery that Brian Epstein instilled in the band.
Score: in the air between a 6/10 and a 7/10, but one of the two.
Favorite cover of the song: Since the Beatles version is already a cover, here’s my favorite OTHER cover. Anna (Go to Him) by Humble Pie
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4.36pm
1 December 2009
Offline Queen Emily said
on this song, John sounds a little bit like Paul. Anyone else hear that?
Way back years ago, when I was still acquiring their catalog for myself, one used-album at a time. “Please Please Me ” was among the last few Beatles albums I’d heard, and both John’s and Paul’s vocals sounded odd to me, partly because of the huge amount of reverb George Martin utilized, but also because John was suffering from a cold and sore throat throughout that session.
I can’t say that “Anna” sounds like Paul’s voice to me, but I did originally assume it was John singing lead on “Saw Her Standing There”
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Queen EmilyGEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
9.56am
26 January 2017
Offline Great middle eight on Anna. I hear Arthur Alexander’s songwriting here influence John on several tracks throughout the years, notably This Boy and Yes It Is . His vocal perfmance is outstanding, the self pity and despair in the lyrics really come across well. The lyrics sre pretty straightforward, but absolutely heartbreaking, and its obvious John had a deep appreciation for the words with how he delivers them.
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"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
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12.56pm
14 June 2016
Offline John’s vocals on this make it an automatic 10/10 from me. It’s one of his most iconic performances and it happened right at the start with album one.
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12.47am
26 January 2017
Offline Timothy said
John’s vocals on this make it an automatic 10/10 from me. It’s one of his most iconic performances and it happened right at the start with album one.
“You can go with him girl” at the very end is so so good. Cant say enough about it.
The following people thank sir walter raleigh for this post:
Timothy, Mr. Moonlight, Rube"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
4.37pm
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1 May 2011
Offline John’s additions in the second middle eight are yet another example of The Beatles skill of being able to add little bits in songs that are easy to overlook so don’t become irritating on general listening yet add a lot when picked up on.
John’s vocals on the Arthur Alexander cover’s are fabulous.
It has always interested me why it’s called ‘Anna (Go To Him)’ when “Anna, go with him” is always sung.
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sir walter raleigh, Mr. Moonlight, Rube, Timothy"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
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