You Know What to Do
Encyclopedia
"You Know What to Do" was one of the first songs written and recorded by George Harrison
with The Beatles
. It was recorded on 3 June 1964 (see 1964 in music
) and does not appear on any album except 1995's Anthology 1
release (see 1995 in music
).
During a photographic assignment on the morning of 3rd June 1964, Ringo Starr
was taken ill with tonsillitis
and pharyngitis
, 24 hours before the Beatles were due to leave for a five country tour. The original session booked for that day was cancelled so that a replacement drummer, Jimmie Nicol, could be brought in and rehearse with the band. After running through six songs in a one hour rehearsal in Abbey Road Studio Two, everyone felt satisfied with Nicol's drumming, and he left to pack his suitcase.
That evening, in a four hour session in Abbey Road Studio Two, each of the three present Beatles recorded a demo of a newly written song. Harrison recorded "You Know What to Do", John Lennon
did "No Reply
", which eventually ended up as the opening track of their next album Beatles for Sale
, and Paul McCartney
did "It's for You
", a song which was written specifically for Cilla Black
to sing. The tape of the session was subsequently misfiled, and was re-discovered in 1993.
After Anthology 1 was released, Harrison was asked about the song and he said he did not even remember its existence.
Harrison's previous contribution to the Beatles' output was Don't Bother Me
, recorded the 11th and 12th September 1963. His next contribution was not until I Need You, recorded 15th February 1965. Asked about this gap, in The Beatles Off the Record in 1965, and referring obliquely to "You Know What To Do", George Martin
explained that Harrison "got discouraged some time ago when none of us liked something that he had written".
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
with The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. It was recorded on 3 June 1964 (see 1964 in music
1964 in music
-Events:*January 1 – Top of the Pops is broadcast for the first time, on BBC television.*January 3 – Footage of the Beatles performing a concert in Bournemouth, England is shown on The Jack Paar Show....
) and does not appear on any album except 1995's Anthology 1
Anthology 1
Anthology 1 is a compilation album by The Beatles, released by Apple Records in November 1995. It was released as the first part of the Anthology trilogy of albums with Anthology 2 and Anthology 3, all of which tie-in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology. It contains "Free as a Bird",...
release (see 1995 in music
1995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
).
During a photographic assignment on the morning of 3rd June 1964, Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
was taken ill with tonsillitis
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms of tonsillitis include sore throat and fever. While no treatment has been found to shorten the duration of viral tonsillitis, bacterial causes are treatable with antibiotics...
and pharyngitis
Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat or pharynx. In most cases it is quite painful, and is the most common cause of a sore throat.Like many types of inflammation, pharyngitis can be acute – characterized by a rapid onset and typically a relatively short course – or chronic....
, 24 hours before the Beatles were due to leave for a five country tour. The original session booked for that day was cancelled so that a replacement drummer, Jimmie Nicol, could be brought in and rehearse with the band. After running through six songs in a one hour rehearsal in Abbey Road Studio Two, everyone felt satisfied with Nicol's drumming, and he left to pack his suitcase.
That evening, in a four hour session in Abbey Road Studio Two, each of the three present Beatles recorded a demo of a newly written song. Harrison recorded "You Know What to Do", John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
did "No Reply
No Reply (song)
"No Reply" is a song by The Beatles from the British album Beatles for Sale and the American album Beatles '65. It was written mainly by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney.-Lyrics:...
", which eventually ended up as the opening track of their next album Beatles for Sale
Beatles for Sale
Beatles for Sale is the fourth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released in late 1964 and produced by George Martin for Parlophone. The album marked a minor turning point in the evolution of Lennon and McCartney as lyricists, John Lennon particularly now showing interest in...
, and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
did "It's for You
It's for You
"It's for You" is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles for Cilla Black for whom it was a UK Top Ten hit in 1964....
", a song which was written specifically for Cilla Black
Cilla Black
Cilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie...
to sing. The tape of the session was subsequently misfiled, and was re-discovered in 1993.
After Anthology 1 was released, Harrison was asked about the song and he said he did not even remember its existence.
Harrison's previous contribution to the Beatles' output was Don't Bother Me
Don't Bother Me
"Don't Bother Me" is the first song written by George Harrison to appear on an album by The Beatles. It originally appeared on the group's With The Beatles album in the United Kingdom, released in 1963, and on their Meet The Beatles! album in the United States, released in 1964.-History:Harrison...
, recorded the 11th and 12th September 1963. His next contribution was not until I Need You, recorded 15th February 1965. Asked about this gap, in The Beatles Off the Record in 1965, and referring obliquely to "You Know What To Do", George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
explained that Harrison "got discouraged some time ago when none of us liked something that he had written".
Personnel
- John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
– tambourine - Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
– bass - George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
– vocal, rhythm guitar