"You're Gonna Lose that Girl"

Song: “You’re Going to Lose that Girl”

Album: Help! (1965)

Another from the film and album Help!, John wrote “You’re Going to Lose that Girl” at his home in Webybridge. He sings yet another call-and-response with Paul and George, relating a man’s plan to steal his friend’s girl if he doesn’t start treating her better.

Between the use of call-and-response and the band’s playing around with their newfound interest in four-track recording, the song serves as a sort of bridge between the Beatles of old and the Beatles of…new. In addition to his drumming, Ringo was able to add a track of bongo-playing, giving the song a slight Latin vibe. And whereas producer George Martin would have previously played the background piano, Paul was able to overdub it himself. In fact, in this scene from the film, we see Paul playing the piano—not his bass. 

And speaking of the film, I always loved this clip—with the band arguing about who’s making the buzzing noise that’s interfering with the recording. Spoiler: it’s a chainsaw the baddies use to capture Ringo in hopes of regaining the sacrificial ring he somehow came into possession of.  John’s quip to Ringo is priceless: “It was you buzzin’!  You naughty boy.”