Log In
Register
Read the original blog post
2.11am
1 May 2010
Offline
The “official” lyrics are “and she's making me feel like I've never been born” but I'm listening to this song and there's no way that those are right! It sounds like “and she's making me feel like I'll never belong” or even “and she's making me feel like I've never been wrong.” This has been driving me crazy for years and I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts. Maybe that's how the scouse accent pronounces born, but it just doesn't sound right to me.
I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine
2.36am
27 March 2010
Offline In this Beatles chordbook I have, the lyrics are “been born”, and in this book I'm reading, The Beatles and Philosophy, it also says that the lyrics are “been born”. I just gave it a listen and I think it sounds like “born”… I used to think it was “belonged”, though. It's probably “born”…? 
I'm in love, but I'm lazy.
2.47am
1 May 2010
Offline Alright well I just listened to the demo on youtube and it's much clearer that he says born, but still, it does sound like belong on the actual song.
I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine
2.49am
1 May 2010
Offline Although I don't understand why he didn't keep the “and he's making me feel like my trousers are torn” line in there.
I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine
1.59pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
The following people thank Zig for this post:
BongoTo the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
2.17am
9 June 2010
Offline
Zig said:
Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
That’s MY favorite web site, too!
It always sounded like “Never been born” to me. But then again, I also always thought John sang the “Aaaahs” in “A Day In The Life .” I also think rain is wet, so obviously I can’t be trusted. (Anybody spy the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” reference?)
But “She Said She Said ” is my favorite composition of John’s on Revolver , so I pay extra special attention.
If I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind that is confusing things.
11.12am
5 April 2010
Offline MeanMrs.Mustard said:
Zig said:
Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
That’s MY favorite web site, too!
Me three! We should all start a forum there.
Anyways I’ve always thought it was “been born” as well. Of course, it could be “cranberry sauce”.
I now declare this bridge open!
10.18pm
27 February 2010
Offline 
Zig said:
Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
Never hear about it. Thanks!
When I heard it for the first time, I heard clearly “… been born” and I thought: “Man, she (he, in fact, Peter Fonda) made him (Dr. Winston O’Boogie) feel that way? How’s that possible? Wow!” That’s f*cking genius!”
And because this kind of things, I fell in love with the Beatles.
I'd like to say "thank you" on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition.
John Lennon
11.01pm
9 June 2010
Offline Marcelo said:
Zig said:
Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
Never hear about it. Thanks!
When I heard it for the first time, I heard clearly “… been born” and I thought: “Man, she (he, in fact, Peter Fonda) made him (Dr. Winston O’Boogie) feel that way? How’s that possible? Wow!” That’s f*cking genius!”
And because this kind of things, I fell in love with the Beatles.
Well, they WERE on LSD….
If I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind that is confusing things.
11.51pm
27 February 2010
Offline MeanMrs.Mustard said:
Marcelo said:
Zig said:
Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
Never hear about it. Thanks!
When I heard it for the first time, I heard clearly “… been born” and I thought: “Man, she (he, in fact, Peter Fonda) made him (Dr. Winston O’Boogie) feel that way? How’s that possible? Wow!” That’s f*cking genius!”
And because this kind of things, I fell in love with the Beatles.
Well, they WERE on LSD….
Yeah, I know that now…
Nevertheless, I still think these are great lyrics.
I'd like to say "thank you" on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition.
John Lennon
11.59pm
9 June 2010
Offline Marcelo said:
MeanMrs.Mustard said:
Marcelo said:
Zig said:
Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
Never hear about it. Thanks!
When I heard it for the first time, I heard clearly “… been born” and I thought: “Man, she (he, in fact, Peter Fonda) made him (Dr. Winston O’Boogie) feel that way? How’s that possible? Wow!” That’s f*cking genius!”
And because this kind of things, I fell in love with the Beatles.
Well, they WERE on LSD….
Yeah, I know that now…
Nevertheless, I still think these are great lyrics.
Yeah, I wasn’t demeaning them, just saying that it’s probably easier to feel like you’ve never been born when you’re on LSD than when you’re sober. 
If I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind that is confusing things.
7.25am
8 January 2015
Offline I know what it’s like to be a resurrected thread 
When I first heard Revolver this song is one of the three that really made me sit up. It’s very John but it’s also very George, who should have got a songwriting credit in my humble opinion. It’s a pretty amazing effort from 3 of the Beatles in a short time frame, the performances are all great. I have the bootleg Revolver Sessions and there’s a great separation on it to highlight each of the rhythm section, the vocals and the guitars. Ringo goes absolutely bananas on it. The guitars shred (and how about that George bassplaying?). The vocals are amazing and of course the lyrics are cryptic and wistful. It’s a perfect 60’s song. I love everything about it.
Listen to Ringo:
There are moments where he literally hits the side of the kit, it’s like a timbale going off!
The following people thank ewe2 for this post:
Ahhh Girl, Wigwam, OudisI'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe. This has been true for 2016 & 2017 
but I may have to get more specific in the future.
8.22am
Reviewers
18 February 2013
Offline It’s a great song, but it shows/suffers from Paul’s absence. The bass is workmanlike, but uninspired, patently lacking the dynamism of McCartney’s playing. In my opinion. It would have been one of the very best Beatles songs otherwise. I could see why George might deserve a part credit for his stellar guitar work here, but not for the bass playing.
9.25am
24 March 2014
Offline this track is awesome. I like the bass here, and doesn’t feel that it’s poor, or anything, just because paul didn’t do it. Paul’s line in “Ticket To Ride ” is quite simple but it works well with the whole thing.
"I Need You by George Harrison"
11.15am
28 March 2014
Offline Zig said
Here is a great article about the lyrics. I found this on my favorite web site.
Thanks for showing us this great site Zig. I’m gonna be on it every day now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
I have to admit, this is the first time I’ve heard that Paul didn’t play bass on it. 
BEATLES Music gives me Eargasms! 
6.48pm
15 May 2015
Offline I checked out that comments thread. I didn’t realize there was such a thriving comments community over in the Songs section of BB. I kind of wish that sort of commenting activity would show up over here more often. Only a couple of times over the years have I seen it here — the amusingly dreaded “ahh ahh ahh” debate about “A Day In The Life ” was one of them, as I recall…
One thing everyone there agrees on: they all like Ringo’s drumming on that song. I like it too, but it almost seems comically clunky, with lots of jagged & spastic syncopation, almost like he’s kicking his drum-kit down the stairs.
The following people thank Pineapple Records for this post:
ewe2, Ahhh GirlA ginger sling with a pineapple heart,
a coffee dessert, yes you know it's good news...
9.13pm
8 January 2015
Offline Yes it’s very bright, some nice miking to capture the sound. It’s one of the hallmarks of Emerick’s work on that album. Imagine the same thing with the production values of earlier albums, it would have sounded like he was fighting an Ewok inside a sack.
lillo78 said
this track is awesome. I like the bass here, and doesn’t feel that it’s poor, or anything, just because paul didn’t do it. Paul’s line in “Ticket To Ride ” is quite simple but it works well with the whole thing.
It’s difficult indeed to see what else you can do with the bassline that George doesn’t use, without getting riffy and getting in the way of the guitars. He alternates long sustained notes and staccato notes during the verse and does those octave notes at the refrain; he doesn’t simply follow the guitar line in the 3/4 parts, and mixes that up each time; and does those nice 3rds in the tail part and then does a little run down the scale just in the right place where the guitars are sustaining and the vocals repeat. In fact for many years I had no idea Paul wasn’t on the recording, vocally or on bass. I would add, don’t mistake simplicity for not playing for the song, something George does more than once on bass when required.
The following people thank ewe2 for this post:
Shamrock Womlbs, Ahhh GirlI'm like Necko only I'm a bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin and also everyone. Or is everyone me? Now I'm a confused bassist ukulele guitar synthesizer kazoo penguin everyone who is definitely not @Joe. This has been true for 2016 & 2017 but I may have to get more specific in the future.
1.09am
24 March 2014
Offline ewe2 said
don’t mistake simplicity for not playing for the song
Exactly! playing one thousand notes, or the longest melodic line ever doesn’t mean you are doing the best work. Being a good musician is (among many other things, of course) to know where and when you can keep it “simple” and where you can just go “nuts”, and no doubts these four lads where really “good” musicians… : )
The following people thank Shamrock Womlbs for this post:
Ahhh Girl, Oudis"I Need You by George Harrison"
5.26pm
5 February 2014
Offline
It’s weird, these beatley alignments going on with me. Elsewhere on the board, I’ve been talking about the Something About The Beatles podcast. Well, I’m currently listening to episode 15 right now, where they’re discussing the John-George dynamic and they start off talking with this particular song. Both authors specifically state that McCartney does not play on this song – at all. They cite references to support it, so unless there is other evidence, McCartney didn’t have a hand in this one. They say he walked out of the studio ( 
) and the rest finished this last recorded track for Revolver and there is more evidence to suggest (audio tape) that Harrison deserves a writing credit, as his contributions were beyond just lyrical suggestions.
6.13pm
15 May 2015
Offline ewe2 said
[George on bass] alternates long sustained notes and staccato notes during the verse and does those octave notes at the refrain; he doesn’t simply follow the guitar line in the 3/4 parts, and mixes that up each time; and does those nice 3rds in the tail part and then does a little run down the scale just in the right place where the guitars are sustaining and the vocals repeat. In fact for many years I had no idea Paul wasn’t on the recording, vocally or on bass. I would add, don’t mistake simplicity for not playing for the song, something George does more than once on bass when required.
I can’t hear any of that. My sound system may not be the best; perhaps it’s my headphones, or the recording I heard on YouTube somehow was not up to snuff. I listened as intently as I could, and the bass playing sounded quite ordinary. Is there a good recording of it I can try (or better, an isolated track)?
A ginger sling with a pineapple heart,
a coffee dessert, yes you know it's good news...
1 Guest(s)