Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 24 October; 6, 10, 11 November 1965
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 3 December 1965 (UK), 6 December 1965 (US)
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
John Lennon: harmony vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
George Harrison: guitar, tambourine
Ringo Starr: drums, organ, percussion
Available on:
Rubber Soul
Anthology 2
I'm Looking Through You was inspired by a disagreement between Paul McCartney and Jane Asher, and was written at her family home in Wimpole Street, London, where McCartney had his own room in which to compose and sleep.
I wrote quite a lot of stuff up in that room actually. I'm Looking Through You I seem to remember after an argument with Jane. There were a few of those moments.
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
A number of McCartney's songs of this time, including We Can Work It Out and You Won't See Me, were based upon his relationship with Asher.
As is one's wont in relationships, you will from time to time argue or not see eye to eye on things, and a couple of the songs around this period were that kind of thing. This one I remember particularly as me being disillusioned over her commitment. She went down to the Bristol Old Vic quite a lot around this time. Suffice to say that this one was probably related to that romantic episode and I was seeing through her façade. And realising that it wasn't quite all that it seemed. I would write it out in a song and then I've got rid of the emotion. I don't hold grudges so that gets rid of that little bit of emotional baggage. I remember specifically this one being about that, getting rid of some emotional baggage. 'I'm looking through you, and you're not there!'
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
In his 1968 authorised biography of The Beatles, Hunter Davies recorded McCartney's thoughts while he and Asher were still together. McCartney alluded to the fact that he found it hard to commit to one person, though acknowledged that his harsh words in song were inspired by hurt.
My whole existence for so long centred around a bachelor life. I didn't treat women as most people do. I've always had a lot around, even when I've had a steady girl. My life generally has always been very lax, and not normal.
I knew it was selfish. It caused a few rows. Jane left me once and went off to Bristol to act. I said OK then, leave, I'll find someone else. It was shattering to be without her.
The Beatles, Hunter Davies
In the studio
The Beatles first attempted to record I'm Looking Through You on 24 October 1965. They spent nine hours perfecting the song; onto the rhythm track, recorded in a single take, they overdubbed lead and backing vocals, handclaps, maracas, organ and electric guitar.
This first version was released in 1996 on Anthology 2. Aside from different instrumentation, it lacked the 'Why, tell me why' section, was slower than the final version, and contained two bluesy instrumental passages.
The group remade the song on 6 November, recording a faster version in two takes. However, it wasn't until 10 November that they hit upon the final arrangement used on Rubber Soul.
The Beatles recorded the rhythm track in one take, and later overdubbed vocals and an organ, the latter played by Ringo Starr. Ringo also created a percussive sound by tapping a box of matches with his fingers. The song was completed the following day with vocals and handclaps.
Related articles:
- You Won't See Me
- Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand
- Recording: Tomorrow Never Knows
- Hold Me Tight
- Recording, mixing: The Word, You Won't See Me, Girl, Wait, I'm Looking Through You
Backing track:
1) drums (Ringo), bass (Paul), acoustic guitar (John), tambourine (George)
Overdubs:
2) McCartney's lead vocal
3) McCartney's double-tracked vocal with Lennon singing harmony plus handclaps (on laps?)
4) Hammond organ (Ringo) plus Harrison's "dirty" Casino guitar
The 'handclaps' were actually the sound of Ringo tapping on a box of matches, according to Barry Tashian of The Remains.
The Remains were one of the support acts on The Beatles' last tour, and Tashian wrote a book, Ticket To Ride, about it. In the book he recounts how Ringo explained to him what the sound was.
Warning: This text may seem that Paul wasnt taking serously the relationship, but it isn´t true. He was really in love in Jane, and she was each day more away from him. He suffered for her.
And Paul plays the lead guitar in this song.
Hello.
I'm looking for informations: who played lead guitar in this song? Who played the guitar riff first heard at O:29, is he George or Paul?
I think it's George.
Why Ringo's playing organs? It's quite unusual.
I guess he got bored with the drums!
No really....I think this is one of those Paul "One-man band" songs in which Macca played all of the instruments. I think Ringo playing the organ was something Paul did to keep Ringo from pouting! 
Thats not very nice, but it is funny.
That's always mystified me, too (the decision to employ Ringo on organ). Even if John or Paul were unavailable (for whatever reason), surely George Martin would've been the most likely candidate? Weird. Maybe none of them could master that (l)one chord that Ringo plays throughout!
Another thing: Both the organ and the lead guitar have a pretty distorted tone. I wonder if they used the same fuzzbox that Paul used for "Think For Yourself"?
The song sounds like it is in the key of G#.
The acoustic guitar has a sound associated with open chords. It sounds like the acoustic guitar chords were played using the standard open G, C and Em ones, but 1/2 step up.
Can someone confirm whether the track was sped up after recording, or if a capo behind the first fret was used?
I don't know about actual recording, but when I play it I use a capo on the first fret.
I must say that I doubt that Ringo plays the organ on this song. I cannot hear any trace of an organ sound on the song. It is supposed to be played on the same channel as the lead guitar.
I think that this is an internal Beatles hoax. They did some things like this because they thought that people were taking things to seriously. So I think that they just added that line saying Ringo plays the organ, and then they had a laugh.
Maybe Ringo sat at the organ or even played something on it. But i don't think is was ever recorded, I think it is very inaudible on the record. On the CD you hear even better.
Hm, I'm pretty sure that is an organ (Lowrey?) in there accompanying the guitar. It sounds just like a single two-or-three finger chord, really screechy and distorted - possibly played through a fuzzbox? Very close to John Cale's "Sister Ray" tone, 2 years ahead of time.
Okay, I've listened again and that's definitely an organ in there, far right channel, same as the electric guitar. Just two quick staccato stabs doubling the guitar lick that recurs throughout the song. Listen to the earlier "Anthology 2" version to better hear the organ part: It's the same, yet with a totally dissimilar, clean tone, and the guitar part is completely different. (Also, I think the organ (or organs?) may be something other than a Hammond, but I'm far from certain.)
I agree with you. I've listened carefully to the Rock Band multitracks, and there's definitely an organ in there. I'm not sure it's a Hammond, though, so I've amended the article.
People were not taking the Beatles seriously at this time.
At least as far as the adults were concerned.
There was only occasional reading into Beatles lyrics such as Norweigan Wood.
After Revolver it was open season.
Makes sense to have Ringo play the organ part since it's function is purely percussive, not melodic.
I often wonder whether this song sowed one more of the seeds of the break up.
Norman Smith's comments about how he sensed a dramatic shift apart in The Beatles between Help and Rubber Soul got me thinking this.
The others hated the multiple takes on Obladi Oblada and I suspect that didn't come out of nowhere.
Despite the huge volume of books about the breakup of The Beatles, I don't think there's yet been one that really does a good job. All seem to basically start with The White Album & Yoko but I think 1965 is a far better place to start (if not earlier) - LSD, Yesterday, and comments like Norman Smith's.
Ringo taps on a box of matches in this song. A year and one-half earlier, he sings lead on the song "Matchbox". An amusing coincidence!