Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 1 June 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)
John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, tambourine
Paul McCartney: bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Available on:
A Hard Day's Night
Originally intended for the A Hard Day's Night soundtrack, I'll Cry Instead was replaced by Can't By Me Love at the request of director Richard Lester. It was restored for an opening collage sequence during the film's 1986 reissue.
I wrote that for A Hard Day's Night, but Dick Lester didn't even want it. He resurrected Can't Buy Me Love for that sequence instead. I like the middle-eight to that song, though.
Playboy, 1980
Written by John Lennon, the lyrics for I'll Cry Instead hint at the misogyny which Lennon would more explicitly reveal in Run For Your Life. His confessions of insecurity, meanwhile, would later be explored in the likes of Help! and You've Got To Hide Your Love Away.
His wife Cynthia later described such songs as reflecting "the frustration he felt at that time. He was the idol of millions, but the freedom and fun of the early days had gone."
The music, meanwhile, was influenced by country and western, a genre The Beatles, and in particular Ringo Starr, were fans of.
In the studio
I'll Cry Instead was recorded on 1 June 1964. During the same afternoon session The Beatles also recorded Matchbox and Slow Down.
The Beatles attempted I'll Cry Instead in two parts, Section A and Section B, which were edited together on 4 June. The first part took six takes, the second just two.
Related articles:
- Tell Me Why
- John, George and Ringo attend the première of Richard Lester's The Knack (And How To Get It)
- Recording: Matchbox, I'll Cry Instead, Slow Down, I'll Be Back
- Filming: A Hard Day's Night
- Recording: A Hard Day's Night
Again MacDonald is wrong. John played the tambourine during his vocal overdub.
Do you think that the longer version of I'll Cry Instead was made on June 4 1964?
They were edited together on that day, yes. The longer version (normally heard on the US Capitol releases) is still a combination of parts A and B, but with an extra verse left in that wasn't included in the UK version.
I think an extra verse on I'll Cry Instead is from one of the takes the Beatles recorded. Right, Joe?
Sounds like a precursor of "Run for Your Life" to me.
I just love how John sings minor thirds (although not just quite! more something like blue notes) over the major chords in the verses.
I wish the early longer version of I'll Cry Instead which is 2:04 was released in worldwide, especially the United Kingdom.
Is this the first `country-rock' song ever? Your thoughts please.
Great song. I love George's Carl Perkins like solo.John's voice is good. one of my favorites.