Recorded - October 18, 1964
Released - November 23, 1964 (US), November 27, 1964 (UK)
#1 for weeks of December 26, 1964, and January 2 and 9, 1965.
It's amazing just how much a band can progress in less than one year. Your average rock band might take three years to release their second album, and even then, the sound might be identical to their first. The Beatles on the other hand were about to put out their fourth album in less than two years, Beatles For Sale. Already there was a notable progression from their debut album. Released as a standalone single, "I Feel Fine" was The Beatles' most innovative #1 hit yet. That innovation that has made the song so legendary? Electric guitar feedback in the song's introduction.
Now, feedback wasn't anything brand new and The Beatles were not the first ones to utilize it in their music. The Who were among the few who experimented with it during their live shows during 1964. However, The Beatles might be among the first if not, the first to use it on one of their studio recordings. Their usage of it actually was by accident: John had let his guitar lean on the amplifier while it was still plugged in. The resulting feedback was met with glee from The Beatles who instantly wanted it on their recording.
Recorded during a marathon session in which roughly half of the Beatles For Sale songs were put to tape, "I Feel Fine" was meant from day one as a single and it shows. The song is very rooted in blues and R&B with a reoccurring guitar riff and some of Ringo's most impressive drumming yet. The bridge of the song offers a key and tone change with some impressive harmony vocal parts.
At the beginning of 1964, The Beatles were just about to become the next big thing, by year's end, they were by far the biggest band in the world. The endless touring, press conferences, recording two albums plus one film, and lack of privacy, were starting to get to the foursome. They ended this year physically exhausted, knowing that the next year would be just as strenuous. Although The Beatles may have suffered, their music did not. Each subsequent single and album kept on raising the bar with new sounds and nonstop experimentation.
Final Verdict - An innovative and nice bluesy Beatles song. Already the sound is very removed from their earliest work, and full of great instrumentation and vocals. You'll feel fine for sure after listening to this song.
Coming Up Next - 1964 Reflection.
Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock and I feel fine -
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