Recording: Any Time At All, Things We Said Today, When I Get Home

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Three songs for the non-soundtrack side of the A Hard Day’s Night LP were recorded today: ‘Any Time At All’, ‘Things We Said Today’, and ‘When I Get Home’.

The first of the day’s two recording sessions took place from 10am to 1.15pm. ‘Any Time At All’ was the first to be recorded: seven takes of the rhythm track and vocals were taped, but the song was temporarily left unfinished, with the middle eight needing more work.

A Hard Day's Night single artwork - Netherlands

‘Things We Said Today’ proved less complicated to record, taking just three attempts to complete. Take one was a false start, but the second take formed the basis of the released song. A third take saw a second vocal track by Paul McCartney, plus tambourine and piano parts.

The afternoon session began at 2.30pm and ended at 5.45pm. The Beatles recorded ‘When I Get Home’ in 11 takes before returning to ‘Any Time At All’. The song was completed in four takes, with the addition of the middle eight, piano and guitar, and a vocal part by McCartney.

Page last updated: 30 June 2022

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