"Baby's in Black"

"Baby's in Black" is a song by The Beatles, co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and released in the United Kingdom on Beatles for Sale and in the United States on Beatles '65.

Composition

AMG described the song as "a love lament for a grieving girl that was perhaps more morose than any previous Beatles song." The song has a 6/8 time signature with a moderate tempo that makes it sound like 3/4 (waltz-time).

Recording

The Beatles recorded "Baby's in Black" on 11 August 1964, the first song recorded for Beatles for Sale.

Lennon and McCartney sang their vocal parts simultaneously through the same microphone. This was done at their own insistence in order to achieve a closer feel to the performance. McCartney was subsequently contacted by their music publisher in 1964 inquiring as to which melody line was the main tune (i.e. Paul's higher or John's lower melody). McCartney later said that he told the publisher they were both the main melody.

Live performances

The Beatles performed "Baby's in Black" live during their appearances from late 1964 until their last tour in 1966, and usually as the third song in their set after "Rock and Roll Music" and "Long Tall Sally." McCartney said they introduced the song by saying, "'And now for something different.' ... We used to put that in there, and think, 'Well, they won't know quite what to make of this, but it's cool.'"

In 1996, a live version of "Baby's in Black" was released as a B-side to the second (and last but one) Beatles "reunion" single, "Real Love."

"Baby's In Black" was also performed at The Beatles' 1965 concert at Shea Stadium.

Personnel

* John Lennon – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
* Paul McCartney – vocals, bass
* George Harrison – lead guitar
* Ringo Starr – drums

Cover versions

* In 1965, the Charles River Valley Boys covered "Baby's in Black" on their album of Beatle covers, Beatle Country.
* Rubén Blades covered the song (in English) on his 1992 Grammy-nominated album Amor Y Control.
* Country band Flynnville Train covered the song on their 2007 debut album.
* Natascha Corrigan inserts refrains from the song into her cover of another Beatles tune, "Yes It Is."

Album: Beatles for Sale
Released: 4 December 1964
Recorded: Abbey Road, 11 August 1964
Genre: Country rock
Length: 2:02
Label: EMI, Parlophone, Capitol
Writer: Lennon/McCartney
Producer: George Martin

Wikipedia