“I’m Down” is a song by the Beatles written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney) and first released as the B-side to the single “Help!” in 1965.
The Beatles recorded “I’m Down” on 14 June 1965 in the same session as “Yesterday” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face”.
The Beatles recorded the backing track in seven takes. The first of these takes can be heard on Anthology 2, with a quiet organ track and no backing vocals. At the beginning of the Anthology version, McCartney says, “Let’s hope this one turns out pretty darn good” in a faux American accent. During the session, particularly between takes one and two, McCartney can be heard repeating the phrase “Plastic soul, man, plastic soul”. He later revealed that the phrase, which the Beatles later adapted for the title of their album Rubber Soul, was used by black musicians to describe Mick Jagger.
Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 14 June 1965
Released: 23 July 1965 (UK), 19 July 1965 (US)
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
John Lennon: backing vocals, rhythm guitar, organ
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, bongos
Available on:
Past Masters
Anthology 2
How to play “I’m Down”
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www.howtoplaybeatles.com/completemusic
I’m Down – Lyrics
You tell lies thinking I can’t see
You can’t cry ’cause you’re laughing at me
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
I’m down (down) (down on the ground)
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
How can you laugh when you know I’m down?
(How can you laugh) when you know I’m down?
Man buys ring, woman throws it away
Same old thing happen every day
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
I’m down (down) (down on the ground)
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
How can you laugh when you know I’m down?
(How can you laugh) when you know I’m down?
We’re all alone and there nobody else
She will still moan, “Keep your hands to yourself”
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
Oh babe, I’m down (down) (down on the ground)
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
How can you laugh when you know I’m down?
(How can you laugh) when you know I’m down?
Wowow!
Carry on, John!
Whoo!
Baby, you hear me?
Oh, baby, you know I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
I guess I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
I’m down on the ground (down) (I’m really down)
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
Ah, baby, I’m upside-down (down)
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (down)
I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
Oh, baby, I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
I’m feeling upside-down (down) (I’m really down)
Ooh, I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
Baby, I’m down (down)
Yeah
Oh, baby, I’m down (down)
Yeah, baby, I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
Well, baby, I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
Well, baby, baby, baby (down) (I’m really down)
Oh, baby, I’m down (down) (I’m really down)
I’m down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, yeah (down, down)
Oh, down, down (down)…