‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’ was composed by Paul McCartney in the music room at Jane Asher’s parents’ house on Wimpole Street, London.
Because McCartney’s aunt expressed a liking for it, the song was briefly known as ‘Auntie Jin’s Theme’ until the lyrics were completed.
It was slightly country and western from my point of view. It was faster, though, it was a strange uptempo thing. I was quite pleased with it. The lyric works: it keeps dragging you forward, it keeps pulling you to the next line, there’s an insistent quality to it that I liked.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’ was well received by Capitol’s A&R department. The Beatles’ US label then removed it from the American edition of Help!, and it became the opening song on their version of Rubber Soul.
In the 1970s, meanwhile, the song became one of the few Beatles songs to be performed by McCartney’s group Wings.
In the studio
The Beatles recorded ‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’ in six takes on the morning of 14 June 1965. To the last of these they overdubbed a maraca part. The song is unusual in that it doesn’t contain a bass guitar part.
In a breathtaking display of versatility, Paul McCartney’s songs ‘I’m Down’ and ‘Yesterday’ were also recorded on the same day.
Solo and other parts as well are played on a 12-string guitar.
Who played the solo ? Who played the triple notes guitars ( one on the nylon and regular acoustic guitars ) ?
There is NO “ nylon or gut string “ guitar on this song, not even close. It is two steel six strings,and a twelve string guitar. No bass, just brushes on snare ,and maracas on the chorus.
Capitol Records may have hacked up the British lp’s but “I’ve Just Seen A Face”
did make a great album opener on the U.S. version of “Rubber Soul”.
It’s funny how the American Rubber Soul seems to get all the credit and, in many cases, I’d say it’s deserved. It’s such a tightly constructed album and example of how addition by subtraction can work majestically. Sure. The British Rubber Soul is probably a better collection of songs, but the Capitol edition is such a wonderful listening experience. Especially considering how most of the American albums are rambling compilations (I’m looking at you Help!/Something New), it’s no surprise to me why Rubber Soul in the U.S. was such a breath of fresh air. It’s just a shame that Revolver had to get neutered because of Yesterday and Today (also a better album than people often realize), but that probably led to the overwhelming surprise that was Sgt. Pepper’s because that album was so out-of-left-field when it was released.
Anyway u.s. Rubber Soul is not a Beatles LP, is just a record company compilation. The guys didn’t make it.
I fully agree with you on that point and I’m not surprised that The Beatles themselves disapproved of Capitol’s handling, or in this context mishandling, of their records in the USA prior to ‘Sgt. Pepper’. I guess the fact that they insisted that the UK versions of their albums be reissued on CD in 1987 and 2009 as well as vinyl in 2012 speaks volumes of their feelings about those Capitol “compilations”, just as you had mentioned, and given that they have disowned them, it’s very likely that they will never be reissued on 180g vinyl and will stay out-of-print forever.
I wish American record companies in the sixties made a rule for themselves not to tamper with British albums by unnecessarily changing artwork, removing songs or altering the running orders and instead, just released them with the same running orders, titles and artwork as the UK versions, very much like what happened with “Sgt. Pepper” and “Abbey Road” – they still went to #1 in the USA as well as the UK.
Spot on. George Martin,and the Beatles chose the track listing in the UK – which was followed by just about every other country except the hatchet job Capital Records did on Beatles albums up to Sgt.Pepper – The UK always included fourteen songs ,and usually a single or two they did not put on the albums , that defies prolific . This shows Capitals greed, and the Beatles were not happy about it. I don’t know off top of my head how many more Beatles albums Capital milked out of the two extra UK album songs, as well as the singles , but I’m sure it was substantial ,possibly three entire albums .
It doesn’t end there. Capital also fxxxxxxx up the EQ,compression,and echo of the original UK masters. I implore everyone in the USA that really wants to hear the Beatles the way they were intended to be heard to listen to the UK albums — Also Italy,France,Germany,OZ,NZ,Japan etc.etc. Italy in particular is very impressive in respect to keeping the masters as they were meant to be heard —
There were not always 14 songs on The Beatles UK albums.
The only ones that have 14 songs are
Please Please Me,
With The Beatles,
Beatles For Sale,
Help!,
Rubber Soul,
Revolver,
Until Ed Sullivan, Capitol didn’t want to know, then- ‘oh, we’ll slice em up and do what we want’- typical!
Damian, you are right. It was very disrespectful of Capitol Records to “butcher” The Beatles’ releases and naturally gain disapproval from the boys.
I know it’s not The Beatles’ fault, but if the running orders on both sides of the Atlantic in the pre-Sgt. Pepper years been identical from the outset, it would’ve made their American discography not only more organized, but at the same time, there would’ve been no marketplace overkill – JMO.
After “Sgt. Pepper” hit number one on both sides of the Atlantic with the same running order, I’m sure that Capitol couldn’t deny that The Beatles had proven them wrong.
Capitol gets a bad rap for chopping up the Beatles’ albums, but truth be told, ALL the major US record companies did this with UK artists back then, until the late ‘60s, when “artistic integrity” and “creative control” began to be taken more seriously.
Between Vee-Jay and Capitol, they made 22 Beatles albums between 1964 and 1970 (and I’m not counting the 2 spoken word albums, “Hear The Beatles Tell All” and “The Beatles’ Story”), compared to the UK’s 13 (counting MMT).
I’m Looking Through You.
Yeah, I agree with brian…I made a CD of Rubber Soul and added “I’ve Just Seen A Face” just because I’m used to that song being the opener and because it makes a great opener for RS.
Yes, the Captiol version of this album is by far a great one. Especially if you have a copy of the rare “East Coast” version. The Scranton Pa. pressing plant had a master stamper with a layer of reverb across the entire album. Sounds warm and beautiful! Dr. Ebbetts made a “needle drop” recording/bootleg of it. If you can find it, download it! A must for any fan of this album in it’s U.S. version.
Never heard that, but I used to own the old 8-track tape with the “false start” version of “I’m Looking Through You”.
Y’know what REALLY makes a great album? Combine both the US and UK editions and throw in “Day Tripper/We Can Work it Out” as well!
I gotta be honest, when I first heard this song I thought it was one of their “shout-out” songs. Like USSR was recognising The Beach Boys or If I Needed Someone was for The Byrds.
This could pass as a Simon & Garfunkel song. With the harmony in the chorus and the overall “folksy” feel to it.
Oh, absolutely – “The Boxer” even has the “li di di” lyrics. Except that “I’ve Just Seen a Face” predated much of S&G’s well-known recorded work, so it’s more likely a case of all of them being influenced by the Everly Brothers.
True, ‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’ predates most people knowing about Simon & Garfunkel. But Wednesday Morning 3 A.M. had come out in October 1964, and Simon had spent much of late 1964 and early 1965 touring Britain. The Beatles were very hot on keeping up with new stuff coming out, so I think it’s entirely possible that McCartney had a copy of Wednesday Morning and/or had seen Simon play live.
“Mr Bass Man” by Johnny Cymbal was the inspiration apparently.
Plus, Paul Simon released a UK-only solo album on CBS in 1965, most of which was later re-recorded as S&G songs.
Also, Paul Simon had a solo UK-only LP release in 1965, called “The Paul Simon Songbook”. Most of the songs on it later became S&G songs. Paul McCartney may have heard it.
You must have been pleased to see the Paul’s – Simon & Mccartney singing this on SNL. 5 years in the making, but you were definitely proved right.
The similarity with The Boxer is remarkable.
It is? I don’t hear it.
It is. Chords structure, the li, le li bits, I think Simon was definitely influenced by I’ve Just Seen A Face.
When I heard this song at first, I thought it was a cover of an old time American folk song, the melody and the feeling sound quite familiar. But it was written by Paul.
The brushed snare drum is actually bongos
Check Rolling Stone’s 100 best Beatles Songs
I haven’t got that particular issue of Rolling Stone (or any others). However, a quick listen to the song confirms that it’s definitely a snare drum.
No it’s not ! It’s brushes on the snare, maracas on the chorus ..
I definitely don’t hear bongos. Ringo playing with brushes on the snare.
John and George are not mentioned as vocalists. Is paul singing his own backing vocals?
That’s right, yes.
It sounds like an electric guitar in the intro-right speaker.
Probably the group’s most overtly country-sounding song, as far as original compositions are concerned…
I don’t want to spoil the party is also very country and western!
A weak song of little distinction. This song definitely does not fit on Rubber Soul.
It’s on “Help!” though.
One reason it fits nicely as an opening song on “Rubber Soul” is because the last guitar strum note of it segues perfectly with the beginning guitar sound of “Norwegian Wood”.
Drive My Car is THE opener for this album- that opening riff and dtum entry CANNOT be beaten- Capitol did NOT know better than The Fabs and George Martin- that is WHY, THEY chose it!
What a silly comment… It’s easily one of the best songs on Help! and Paul’s career… If any other artist came out with a song like this it would be considered their masterpiece and they would be fighting the rest of their lives to top it. But not for Paul… he just belted this out one day and never looked back.
This song is Exhibit A of Paul’s melodic brilliance. This is a mini-masterpiece.
Yeah it’s great. And the intro! Like no other Beatles song. The strange layering of the guitars played up the neck. A classic by Paul.
Spot on. One of the few informed comments.
I agree. The rhyme scheme is incredibly original and sophisticated.
I’ve just seen a FACE I can’t
Forget the time or PLACE where we
Just met she’s just the GIRL for ME
And I want all the WORLD to SEE
We’ve met…
And so on…
Very much disagree that this song is of little distinction. I believe that this song and Don’t Let Me Down are the two most underrated songs in the Beatles catalogue.
I agree I find myself singing this song myself. I think because it is so unlike other Beatles songs.
actually john paul george all play acoustically together and harmonise vocals ringo plays bongos the lyrics are propulsive and drive the song forward to the chorus Ithink it is a rollicking fun number that is totally unique to the whole catalog jesus mosquito
I’m out of breath just reading that comment.
Paul sang the vocals. It’s just two part harmony on chorus, no one else sang other than Paul.
John and George do not sing. Its all Paul.
That’s right – otherwise, John and George’s voices would’ve been obvious.
Since reading Lewisohn’s book, all I can think about when I hear this song is Japage 3 (“the rythm is in the guitars”). It had to have been a blast to have them all back playing guitars together for a song. Just a great little song to listen to.
DarrenS, you are right on the money, and had they added this song to their 1965-1966 tour setlists, I’m sure that Paul and John would’ve played their 6-string acoustic guitars and George would’ve played John’s 12-string acoustic guitar (unless he bought his own 12-string acoustic, that is) while Ringo obviously would’ve been either playing his snare drum with brushes or shaking a pair maracas, which he could do fairly well.
Paul has cited this as a favourite and he performed it live on Wings’ world tour of 1975-76, the period that I feel Wings were at their zenith as a live act.
Wonderful Paul McCartney song, very country and western. One of my favorite songs on album Help! from the time I first got it for my birthday in March 1980. As you said on this site Paul McCartney really shows versatility, he recorded this I’m Down and Yesterday all in one day. Help! an album that should always be in top 100 of all time.
One of McCartneys best songs from this era. Was surprised to read there is no bass in this song, but alas, yes, no bass guitar ! definitely Ringo playing brushed drums, NOT bongos
My husband sings this song to me…it’s my song…I love it and have been a Beatles girl all my life…my kids now are beautiful Beatles children 27 To 11 all of them have Beatles albums…I love it…good music never dies
Your kids are Beatle children, 27 to 11? Well my kids are Chicago kids, 25 or 6 to 4…
I find it pretty hard to believe that this song was not written by Paul Simon. There is just no other McCartney song with lyrics like this. It sounds almost exactly like The Leaves That Are Green. Both songs were recorded in June 1965 and released in August that year.
The recording and release dates don’t mean a thing. Lyrically it feels more like a variation of McCartney’s own Things We Said Today – also with its propulsive country tinged intro. Without splitting hairs it’s just as possible that the Paul Simon song was influenced by it, particularly its reference at looking back from an unknown point in the future.
yakksoho,
What are you taking about? I’ve just listened to “The Leaves That Are Green” and “I’ve Just Seen A Face” – And those two Songs do not sound alike both in the lyrics or in their music.
I found it much more similar to The Boxer, from 1968.
And here I thought it was a Buddy Holly song. Finally looked it up to settle that question in my mind. It has something similar to Every Day and It’s So Easy. Red Rubber Ball also has that same something so the Paul Simon comparisons make sense too. I think the similarity might be that propulsive quality Paul mentions.
“It was slightly country and western from my point of view. It was faster, though, it was a strange uptempo thing.” Paul McCartney
Maybe he wasn’t familiar with the term bluegrass at the time, but that’s what the song is. I think that he would of had at least a tiny bit of exposure to bluegrass either from his father or maybe BBC radio, would the BBC have played a Bill Monroe record occasionally back in the late 40s, early 50s? Who knows, perhaps he came up with the bluegrass style song independently, he certainly was/is a very creative music writer who could “think out of the box”.
Check out the Charles River Valley Boys from their wonderful Beatles bluegrass album “Beatle Country” (get it if you can find it) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giuBKpIkVIg
Is it because Paul McCartney is such a prolific composer that people feel driven to find similarities to his work? Judging by some of these comments it appears that only McCartney was influenced by his contemporaries but in turn, apparently they were not influenced by him in the slightest. A fine logic.
Would’ve been interesting to hear it with John singing harmony (though it might have been a bit too high for him to do well),
this is one of my favourite Beatles songs, somewhat due to a period of my life that I associate it with, but I do love this track. I do prefer the Wings Over America live version, in my opinion Paul sings it better in the key of G
I heard this song today for the first time in a long time. The sound of the guitar always reminded me a little of a song called “Walk Right In” done by The Rooftop Singers. Real folksy. Little did the Beatles know that they would become rooftop singers themselves a few years later. I’m another one who thinks I’ve Just Seen A Face fit well with the American Rubber Soul album.
I know what the references say about who played what in this song. But am I the ONLY one who gets a feeling that this could be a Macca-plays-all-the-instruments performance? It would have fit in perfectly on his first solo album. The lead solo has a pinache (!) that hints more of Paul than George, and then, no Beatle harmonies for the whole song?
Just wondering out loud.
The Beatles were still very much together at this point in time, so it’s not likely that Paul played all of the instruments on this. The only “solo” recording that he did around this time was “Yesterday”. I think Walter Everett did state that the guitar solo on IJSAF was played by George.
No harmonies ? What do you believe the chorus is ? Paul doubled tracked his own harmony.
It was a group effort. Paul double tracks his vocal harmonies, the rest of the track is the entire band playing live with the exception of the two high part intervals on intro as both guitars are playing the same thing, the twelve string is playing the rundowns on intro,fills on verses ,and outro.
Walter Everett says in his book that both John and George were playing 12-string acoustic guitars, Paul played nylon-string acoustic guitar and Ringo was on brushes for one of the two basic tracks. I know that John played his Framus Hootenanny 12-string acoustic guitar (contrary to popular belief, he actually started playing it as early as 1964 on “I’m a Loser” and “Honey Don’t”), but George either would’ve borrowed a 12-string acoustic guitar from a friend or perhaps he had purchased his own at some point.
Paul, on the other hand, probably would’ve played the Framus Parlour Spanish guitar that he used for songwriting and had reportedly been previously owned by his father Jim. If he had wanted to overdub a bass part, he could’ve done so either on his Hofner or perhaps borrow a left-handed double bass – he didn’t have Bill Black’s one yet.
I personally think that on the guitar intro before Paul starts singing, Ringo could’ve added some congas or bongos and it would’ve given a very nice effect.
There is NO nylon string guitar on this song. I don’t know who puts all this inaccurate information on this site m but that’s as off as saying the song had a string quartet.
It’s two six string acoustics, one with a capo on second fret playing G first position chord inversion against the other six string playing standard first position in key of A , and a twelve string ,playing fills from the opening of the song as well as solo ,and outro of the song.
That’s it just three guitars,drums with brushes ,and maracas on the chorus. Paul double tracked his own harmony . This song is just a killer. Every bluegrass artist I can think of has covered I’ve Just Seen A Face.
It’s okay, Jake – Wikipedia has now corrected it to say that John used his Gibson J-160E, Paul used his Epiphone Texan and George borrowed John’s Framus Hootenanny 12-string.
Mr Gerber,
You also incorrectly wrote in an earlier post that all UK Beatle albums had 14 songs when they clearly did not!
People forget and make mistakes as do you.
It’s a great song, and I personally feel that it makes a better opening track to Rubber Soul than the British version, but maybe it’s because I grew up listening to it. I wonder why they decided to double track Paul singing harmony to his own lead vocal instead of having John sing? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Paul’s harmony, but I feel it was a missed opportunity of sorts. John and Paul harmonize so well together and I’ve always really loved any and every song where you can clearly hear both their voices singing together. Would have made a fantastic song even better, if such a thing is possible!
Even though the Monkees did not yet exist when this was written, it sounds like a song that could’ve come from the pen of Michael Nesmith, akin to “Papa Gene’s Blues”.
Capitol did a very good job in their exclusive albums. That’s why we have now precious mixes for I’m Looking Through You, The Word, When I Get Home, And I Love Her, I’ll Cry Instead etc. Exclusive mixing that we would never know if not for the capitol albums.
This is a real outlier. There’s nothing else like it in the Beatles catalogue and yeah it does sound like Paul Simon. That intro! I kind of wish they’d done something like it again. To me it always sounded similar to Appalachian Folk music.