Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 11 September 1963
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 22 November 1963 (UK), 20 January 1964 (US)
John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Available on:
With The Beatles
The second song on The Beatles' second album, All I've Got To Do was started and completed in the same productive session that also saw the band begin recording I Wanna Be Your Man and Little Child.
Lennon was reportedly inspired by Smokey Robinson, and the opening chord and general lyrical theme recalls The Miracles' You Can Depend On Me.
That's me trying to do Smokey Robinson again.
All We Are Saying, David Sheff
In the studio
The Beatles recorded All I've Got To Do in a single recording session, on 11 September 1963. In his biography of Paul McCartney, Barry Miles claims that Lennon played the song to McCartney just before they began recording it.
It took the group 14 takes to get the song right, though eight of those were false starts. They also recorded an overdub, which became take 15, the version used on the LP.
Although a strong John Lennon song, All I've Got To Do was never played live by the group; perhaps its stop-start rhythms would prove too subtle to be heard above the screams of Beatlemaniacs.
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What a great song!! Anyone thinking Ringo was not the greatest in their early years needs to listen to the tasteful arrangement he does on this great tune. Lennon's vocal is as soulful as can be. I never get tired of listening to this. It really sums up the vibes of the era.
Hello to all, I will say that here with ALL I'VE GOT TO DO The Beatles further prove that they were ,even early on , the masters of spontaneous talents. I know for a fact that this song ALL I'VE GOT TO DO was NEVER performed past the recording of it on September 11th 1963. It never made it to the stage.BUT with out or with it still stands as a great tune that was learned that very afternoon in London by the other 3 Beatles who each put their wonderful souls on the recording.
IMHO One of John's best. Raw emotion. And the lyrics are quite clever, because first, it's all about the girl who's there for a guy and with just one line, he changes the song to make it about his love for her as well.
Umm.....A good little song eh? Nice drums and guitar. I like it.
I bought the Complete Beatles Songbook on Amazon,com and I have been going through the songs, This one "All I've got to do" I love to play. The chords and arrangements. The Beatles played very sophiscated cords in the early days and made them work well. It gives me a great many hours of enjoyment.
What was the Overdub of?
Apparently either backing vocals or the opening chord, but nobody seems to be entirely sure.
I don't know why no one ever mentions that "Oh, Darling" begins with exactly (or almost exactly?) the same chord.
It seems as plain as day to me yet I've never read it remarked upon anywhere.
I love that.
Never noticed this before, was wondering if anyone could confirm - isn't that John harmonizing with himself on the "All I've gotta do!" refrains throughout the song? If so, this marks yet another time he did this on on early Beatles' recordings ("Little Child", "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" other two quick examples I can think of) - interesting to ponder when in a band with two other such capable (one great) singers. Another way John really dominated the group in the early years-probably had a very specific way he wanted some of his songs to turn out that he thought only his voice would accomplish.
I believe it's Paul doing that harmony. I certainly sounds like him. When the word "all" is sung, it sounds quite a bit like Paul's voice. John's would have been more cutting.
Yep, that's Paul.
Oh also, it might be worth adding to the song that, "According to Dennis Alstrand (from his book "The Evolution of Rock Bass Playing; McCartney Style"), this song is the first time in rock and roll or rock music where the bass player plays chords as a vital part of the song" (from wikipedia article) - yet ANOTHER innovation from our favorite band, and one they never get credit for, if true. No end to their genius, apparently.
That's interesting! He must be referring to electric bass specifically - I can think of at least one pop song ("Alley Oop") in which the standup bass player plays chords.