"I'll Cry Instead"

Song: “I’ll Cry Instead”

Album: A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

“I’ll Cry Instead” is a Lennon tune recorded for the A Hard Day’s Night soundtrack.  Although director Richard Lester ultimately decided to use “Can’t Buy Me Love” in the sequence, John wrote “I’ll Cry Instead” for the band’s breakout scene in the film. And while it wasn’t used in the original film, the 45 release was listed as “From the United Artists Picture, A Hard Day’s Night.” Plus Walter Shenson’s 1981 re-release of the film includes the tune over a redone opening sequence that includes a retro-style photo collage (see the promo for the film below).

Cynthia Lennon—John’s first wife—has said that the song reflects Lennon’s frustration during that period,  gaining tremendous fame but losing the freedom of his youth.