"I'm a Loser"

Song: “I’m a Loser”

Album: Beatles for Sale (1964)

Recorded in eight takes (with no overdubs) in August 1964—on the same day as “Mr. Moonlight” and “Leave My Kitten Alone”—John’s “I’m a Loser” was originally considered for release as a single (until John composed “I Feel Fine,” which was selected over it).   The tune instead appeared on Beatles for Sale (Beatles ’65 in the U.S.) and was regularly played while touring.

Both its overall sound and its lyrical content were influenced by country music (as well as by folk, especially Bob Dylan). The song, in part, marked the beginning of rock and folk coming together in a meaningful way, as well as the shifting of the Beatles into darker musical and lyrical territory. Not a happy track (as its title clearly indicates), “I’m a Loser” was among the first of the Beatles’ grown up love songs, dwelling on the despondency of a tough breakup instead of the euphoria of new love. Fitting nicely with the character of the song, Lennon even dips to a low G during the verses, something he rarely did (as it was a note typically hit only by Baritones or Bass—and Lennon was a Tenor).

An interesting tidbit: the original pressing of Beatles for Sale (in the U.K.) misprinted the title as “I’m a Losser."