“You Won’t See Me” is a Beatles’ song from their “Rubber Soul” album, of course. Written by Paul McCartney, it is obviously about him struggling with his relationship with girlfriend, Jane Asher. Moreover, the tone of the song marks a change from the normal happy songs sung previously.
In Detail
Album
Recorded: 11th November, 1965
Studio: EMI Studios
Genre: Pop rock
Track Duration: 3:22 (stereo version), 3:25 (mono version)
Record Label: Parlophone
Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers
Rubber Soul Album (1965)
Paul McCartney: double-tracked lead vocal, bass guitar, also the piano
George Harrison: backing vocal, as well as the electric guitar
John Lennon: backing vocal, also the tambourine
Ringo Starr: drums, as well as the hi-hat
Other Performer
Mal Evans: Hammond organ
Track Source
You Won’t See Me
We have all reached a low point with a relationship and this song is about Paul McCartney’s struggle. At the time, Paul lived with his girlfriend, Jane Asher in her parent’s home in Wimpole Street, London. However, Jane needed to move away for a short while. This is because she was performing in Great Expectations at the Old Vic Theatre in Bristol.
Paul was in love with Jane, of course, and he found it difficult to contact her. Therefore this song gives a taste of the frustrations he went through. Paul McCartney is a fighter and he won through, thank God!
Recording Studio
The Beatles recorded “You Won’t See Me” in a marathon recording session at the EMI studios, London. They began at 6pm on the 11th November, 1965 and didn’t finish until 7am the next day.
During this time, the band also recorded the song, “Girl“. However, they were perfectionists so they began brushing up a few other tracks for the “Rubber Soul” album. They added overdubs to “Wait” and “I’m Looking Through You” which were in need of a touch up.
In the above performers information statistics we see Mal Evans taking a little credit. However, for this song all he did was play one note on the Hammond organ which he held throughout the final verse.
Another point of note is that this Tamla Motown inspired track was The Beatles’ longest recording so far at 3:22 (stereo) and 3:25 (mono). But remember, this was late November, 1965.
So, what are your thought on this song?
