Video: 'If I Fell (Remastered 2009)'

(Thursday, February 27, 1964, 2:30-5:30 p.m. GMT) — The Beatles returned to the studio this afternoon to record John Lennon’s ballad “If I Fell” with Lennon and Paul McCartney singing together into the same microphone.

This three-hour session consisted of 15 takes of the song with all of The Beatles on their usual instruments and singing simultaneously.

In order to get the proper feel, John and Paul insisted on doing the intricate harmonies singing into the same microphone.

The song did evolve as the takes went on, such as Ringo’s heavier drum sound (suggested by producer George Martin) starting from “take three.”

Video: 'A Hard Day's Night (Outtakes Compilation)' (Feb. 27, 1964, at 1:09-1:29)

Two other changes began at “take 11,” which were John’s punchy acoustic guitar introduction and George Harrison’s distinctive 12-string guitar run at the end of the song. “Something like that, you mean?” asked Harrison at the end of the take (probably to George Martin).

Also, apparently John had “an itchy bum” by the end of “take nine,” because he made sure to capture this statement on tape.

“Take 15” ended up being the final take even though it contained a semi-serious flaw at the end of the second bridge. Paul’s voice cracked on the word “vain” to the point that this extremely high note actually cut off. This was easily fixed by double-tracking another vocal part as an overdub for that part of the song.

John also double-tracked his vocals throughout the entire song, which gives their two-part harmony a rich and full sound.