A Hard Day's NightThe soundtrack album from The Beatles' first movie, A Hard Day's Night, features 13 entirely new Lennon-McCartney compositions. The Beatles, for the first time, did not sing any covers on their album.
Although the songs are credited to Lennon-McCartney, all except three are actually by John. However, Paul's 3 songs - And I Love Her, Can't Buy Me Love and Things We Said Today proves that quality is more than a match for quantity.
Three months before the release of this album in July 1964 (during the height of Beatlemania), Can't Buy Me Love/You Can't Do That was issued as a single. And upon the release of the album, the title track with Things We Said Today was also issued as a single. Both, of course, were transatlantic number 1 singles for the band.
The album topped the UK chart for 21 weeks upon release.
1. A Hard Day's Night: From the distinct and easily recognisable opening clang of George's 12-string Rickenbacker, the opening track shows typical Beatles' originality. As the chord fades, John double-tracks the lead vocals with Paul harmonising in parts and also singing lead vocal in the chorus (When I'm home.....). George's guitar sounds like a harpsichord in the instrumental break and at the ending of this hit single.
2. I Should Have Known Better: John's harmonica is heard distinctly in this popular song. It also features John on lead vocals in a double-track solo and on acoustic guitar. Paul, George and Ringo provide their normal bass, lead guitar and drums, respectively, at the instrumental backing.
3. If I Fell: This up-tempo ballad opens with a solo vocal from John (on acoustic guitar) in the first verse. He is then joined by Paul in a duet for the rest of the song.
4. I'm Happy Just To Dance With You: George sings the lead vocals for this song, with John and Paul provide the 'oh-oh' backing. Ringo is on drum and loose-skinned Arabian bongo (that produces a hollow thumping sound that you heard on the track).
5. And I Love Her: This ballad from Paul has become an international standard and one of the Beatles classics. Three Beatles play the acoustic guitars with Ringo on Bongos. It also features a memorable guitar solo by George, who also dubs in the claves accompaniment.
6. Tell Me Why: The vocals are an interesting three-part harmony between John and Paul, with double-tracked vocals from John and Paul harmonising.7. Can't Buy Me Love: This hit single features a double-tracked solo vocals from Paul. It also has an double-tracked guitar during the instrumental break.
8. Any Time At All: A breezy song featuring the solo vocal from John. It also includes a guitar/piano duet between George and Paul. This song and the following 5 tracks are not featured in the film A Hard Day's Night.
9. I'll Cry Instead: This country and western tinged song features a lead vocal from John with George playing some neat rockabilly guitar. John plays acoustic guitar and dubs in the tambourine.
10. Things We Said Today: In this up-beat ballad, Paul double-tracks the lead vocals with John harmonising in places. John again plays the acoustic guitar and adds in the tambourine at the end of the song.
11. When I Get Home: John sings lead vocals with Paul harmonising in parts. This is one of the Beatles' forgettable songs.
12. You Can't Do That: John shouts out the lyrics in lead vocal, with Paul and George harmonising on the chorus. Ringo plays out a metallic beat on a cowbell and bongos are added for good measure. George is on 12-string lead guitar.
13. I'll Be Back: The last song is an up-tempo ballad featuring a double-tracked lead vocal from John, with Paul harmonising in parts. John, Paul and George are all on acoustic guitars.
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