“I’m Looking Through You” is a Beatles’ song from their 1965 album, “Rubber Soul”. However, there is a version of the song on their “Anthology 2” album as well.
In Detail
Albums
Recorded: 11th November, 1965
Studio: EMI Studios, London
Genre: Folk rock
Track Duration: 2:27
Record Label: Parlophone (UK)
Songwriter: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers
Paul McCartney: double-tracked vocals, bass, electric guitar
John Lennon: harmony vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
George Harrison: electric guitar, also the tambourine
Ringo Starr: drums, Hammond organ, matchbox
Track Sources
Rubber Soul Album (1965)
Anthology 2 Album (1996)
I’m Looking Through You
Written by Paul McCartney “I’m Looking Through You” is a song about his girlfriend, Jane Asher.
“I’m Looking Through You I seem to remember after an argument with Jane. There were a few of those moments.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
Obviously the credits go to the songwriting partnership of Lennon-McCartney as per agreement.
At the time of writing the song, Beatlemania was in full swing, of course, and the band were under immense pressure to deliver the goods. McCartney was also living with Asher at her parents’ home in Wimpole Street, London. However, the pressure was on both of them. While McCartney was a worldwide superstar, Asher refused to give up her stage career to give him extra support.
The conflict become immortalised in song with powerful lyrics such as, “You don’t look different, but you have changed” and “Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight”.
Recording Studio
The Beatles began recording “I’m Looking Through You” on the 24th October, 1965, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 2.30pm-7.00pm session. There was only one take which they were not happy with so they would record it again on the 6th November. This was in the same studio during the 7.00pm-1.00am session (two takes).
Still not happy with the song, there was a third remake on the 10th of November with another single take. In short, this final take 4 become the rhythm track suitable for overdubbing. Ringo Starr played the drums obviously. However, he also played the Hammond organ and part of the percussion included him tapping on a box of matches!
This song graces the Rubber Soul album where it sits between “Girl” and “In My Life“. The band’s first recording, “take 1”, appears on the 1996 album, “Anthology 2”.
