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The Beatles Albums- I’m A Loser

Song Lyrics

I’m A Loser

I’m a loser
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to beOf all the love I have won or have lost
there is one love I should never have crossed
She was a girl in a million, my friend
I should have known she would win in the endI’m a loser
And I lost someone who’s near to me
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to be

Although I laugh and I act like a clown
Beneath this mask I am wearing a frown
My tears are falling like rain from the sky
Is it for her or myself that I cry

I’m a loser
And I lost someone who’s near to me
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to be

What have I done to deserve such a fate
I realize I have left it too late
And so it’s true, pride comes before a fall
I’m telling you so that you won’t lose all

I’m a loser
And I lost someone who’s near to me
I’m a loser
And I’m not what I appear to be

Song History and Facts

I’m A Loser

Written by: John Lennon (100%)
(credited as Lennon-McCartney)
Recorded: August 14, 1964 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: August 14, October 26 and November 4, 1964
Length: 2:31
Takes: 8
Musicians:
John Lennon: lead vocal (double-tracked), acoustic rhythm guitar (1964 Gibson J160E), harmonica (Hohner)
Paul McCartney: harmony vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead guitar (1962 Gretsch 6119 “Tennessean”)
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig), tambourine
Available on: (CDs in bold)

  • Beatles For Sale, (UK: Parlophone PMC 1240, PCS 3062; Parlophone CDP 7 46438 2)
  • Beatles For Sale (EP), (UK: Parlophone GEP 8931)
  • Beatles ’65, (US: Capitol (S)T 2228, Capitol CDP 
  • There were several influences contributing to the composition of this song, which John wrote some time in the summer of 1964. On the one hand, it was a reaction to the worship the Beatles were already receiving on the world stage, tied to Lennon’s own insecurities; added to this was the influence of Bob Dylan, who Lennon had been listening to since at least the winter of 1963.
  • The final piece in the puzzle was journalist Kenneth Allsop, who met John on March 23, 1964 and told him that he rather wished Lennon’s lyrics were as personal as his recently-published first book, In His Own Write, and not always about young romance. A hurt Lennon, determined to prove Allsop wrong, wrote “I’m A Loser” soon after. (The song does deal with a broken relationship on its surface level, however.)
  • John specifically used the word “clown” in the song after hearing Dylan use it, which he has said he never otherwise would have done. The inspiration for that, assuming John only heard Dylan’s recorded output, would have been 1963’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.”
  • This song was recorded cleanly, in eight takes, with no rearrangement whatsoever, at the second session for Beatles For Sale, just before work began on their cover of “Mr. Moonlight.”
  • John sings a low G note in this song, the lowest note he could hit (with difficulty). The only other existence in the Beatles canon of John attempting a low G is the last “going down” of “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” (though he does hit it in harmony during the “somebody new” bridge of “Love Me Do”).
  • “I’m A Loser” was considered a candidate for the band’s next single, but pulled in favor of “I Feel Fine” after that song was written.

Known live versions:
December 24 and 26, 28-31, 1964; January 1-2, 4-9, 11-16, 1965 (Odeon Cinema, London, for Another Beatles Christmas Show)
June 20, 1965 (Palais Des Sports, Paris, France)
June 22, 1965 (Palais d’Hiver, Lyon, France)
June 24, 1965 (Velodromo, Milan, Italy)
June 25, 1965 (Palazzo Dello Sport, Genoa, Italy)
June 27-28, 1965 (Teatro Adriano, Rome, Italy)
June 30, 1965 (Palais Des Fetes, Nice, France)
July 2, 1965 (Plaza De Toros De Madrid, Madrid, Spain)
July 3, 1965 (Plaza de Toros Monumental, Barcelona, Spain)

BBC radio versions: 3 (for the BBC radio programs Top GearSaturday Club, and The Beatles (Invite You To Take A Ticket To Ride))
Trivia:

  • Singer Jackie DeShannon is often cited as having heard John write “I’m A Loser” on a plane between tour stops, but that’s impossible, as she didn’t join the group on tour until August 1964, after the band had already recorded the song. It’s possible she merely heard John playing the finished song.
  • The Beatles debuted this number on an episode of ABC-TV’s Shindig!, which often traveled to London to present British bands performing live. Paul can be seen in the footage forgetting the line “I’ve lost someone who’s dear to me,” prompting a smirk by John. However, Paul can be seen mouthing the words off-mic, as if to remind John of the words, as well.
  • This song was mistakenly labeled “I’m A Losser” on initial pressings of Beatles For Sale.
    Covered by: The Buckinghams, Camper Van Chadbourne, The Eels, Marianne Faithfull, Vince Guaraldi, Doug Kershaw, Lost Dogs, Sum 41         Thanks to About.Com

 

I’m A Loser Guitar Chords and Tabs

 

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