What Goes On
From BeatlesWiki
What Goes On is a song off The Beatles' 1965 album Rubber Soul. It was written mainly by John Lennon with help from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Contents |
Writing
What Goes On was one of John's earliest songs, written before The Beatles had even gotten a recording contract. They never performed it live. They did not record or release it until 1965, when it was given the unusual Lennon/McCartney/Starkey credit. Ringo recalled, "I used to wish that I could write songs like the others - and I've tried, but I just can't. I can get the words all right, but whenever I think of a tune and sing it to the others they always say, 'Yeah, it sounds like such-a-thing,' and when they point it out I see what they mean. But I did get a part credit as a composer on one - it was called What Goes On." The Beatles performed it in front of George Martin on March 5, 1963, during the same session where From Me To You and Thank You Girl were recorded. This performance of this song is believed not to have been recorded. Because of the limited studio time they had left, they recorded One After 909 instead. According to Neil Aspinall, quoted in the April 1966 issue of The Beatles Book, a demo recording was made of Paul playing all instruments. He is quoted as saying, "When Paul wanted to show Ringo how What Goes On sounded he made up a multi-track tape. Onto this went Paul singing, Paul playing lead guitar, Paul playing bass and Paul playing drums. Then Ringo listened to the finished tape and added his own ideas before the recording session." This demo has not appeared on any release, legitimate or bootleg, making this one of the most sought-after Beatles recordings. This song was the first to give Ringo any writing credit. Ringo joked in a 1966 interview that his contribution was "About five words, and I haven't done a thing since!" John claimed that What Goes On was "resurrected with a middle eight thrown in, probably with Paul's help." This cannot be possible, however, because the song has no middle eight. It is more likely that Paul , with help from Ringo, developed the verses.
Recording
What Goes On was recorded in one take on November 4, 1965, in a session beginning at 11:00 PM, then a late start for a Beatles session. After Take 1 was recorded, Ringo's lead vocals and John and Paul's backing vocals were overdubbed.
Release
What Goes On was first released in the US as the B-Side to Nowhere Man. It was first released in the UK on December 3, 1965 on Rubber Soul.
Personnel
The Beatles
- Lead Vocals: Ringo Starr
- Drums: Ringo Starr
- Backing Vocals: John Lennon
- Rythm Guitar: John Lennon
- Backing Vocals: Paul McCartney
- Bass: Paul McCartney
- Lead Guitar: George Harrison
Production
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Available Versions
- Take 1 plus overdubs, November 4, 1965, (Rubber Soul)
Available On
- Rubber Soul UK edition, 1965.
- Nowhere Man/What Goes On US single, 1966.
- Nowhere Man/What Goes On Canadian single, 1966.
- Yesterday... And Today, 1966.
