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.