Comments on: Beatles Rarity Of The Week – If I Fell (composing tape, Jan. 1964)

By: Tweeze

Tweeze — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:21:55 +0000

Fantastic! Very Buddy Holly. For any writing credit disputes with Macca this clearly conveys that most of the song was already there. It is funny though. Most ‘trained’ musicians would write into their key – their comfort zone. Obviously this one isn’t comfortable for John.

By: eegsmith

eegsmith — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:21:15 +0000

ohhhhhhhhh, I have tears in my eyes, John’s vulnerable, raw sound is so touching….. and is so clear in my mind where Paul’s harmonies will (later)run along with it, inseparable in my consciousness, yet, HERE so bare and personal with the solo …. transparent, I think is the word I want.
(Dizzy Miss) Lizzy

By: lennonista

lennonista — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:14:21 +0000

Yes, I agree… great BROW! I *have* heard this before, but it’s always touching to listen to. And it also goes to show that even without the beautiful harmony and even in this early stage, If I Fell is one of John’s loveliest compositions.

By: Happy Nat

Happy Nat — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:06:52 +0000

Chip, I don’t think it gets any earlier than this for this tune. This was the embryo.

By: Stacia

Stacia — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:48:43 +0000

I’ve never heard this before – thank you! It’s spooky how much it sounds like a Dakota demo. Those high “oh ohs” are great!

By: Chip

Chip — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:22:15 +0000

I have to agree with Elliott. This really was a Wow! BROW. You really feel like you are hearing something for the first time; something in the works. The words are there and the chords are there, but how exactly is it going to be finished? Without pulling out any of my reference books, I wonder where this recording is in relation to its birth? Was it a song that just flowed out of him or did it involve different lyrics along the way? It truly is one of the best BROWs I’ve ever heard because of both its significance and simplicity.

Good Job, Nat.

By: Happy Nat

Happy Nat — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:16:34 +0000

Thanks Elliott. I never think of anything from AHDN pre-dating the first trip to the U.S. but this did. John apparently had this all worked out before ever setting foot on Ed Sullivan’s stage. The harmony with Paul that was to come is what later put the song high on the pedestal. It seems hard to play on guitar and sing John’s part without veering over into Paul’s key instead. Kinda like rubbing your belly and tapping your head at the same time.

By: Elliott Marx

Elliott Marx — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:37:51 +0000

Wow, this may be the most illuminating post I’ve ever seen on BROW. Aside from Bad To Me, I have never encountered a solo acoustic John performance of this vintage. John was always so vulnerable seeming with his vocals (especially in the early days before he double tracked all of his insecurities to oblivion.) But I have never heard him as fragile and earnest I as he sounds in this demo. Thank you so much for posting this.