Released 26 April 1963 Writer(s) Lennon–McCartney | Length 1:40 Producer(s) George Martin | |
A-side "Do You Want to Know a Secret(UK) From A Window (US)" Label Parlophone (UK)
Imperial (US) | ||
"I'll Be on My Way" is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, which was first released on 26 April 1963 by Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas as the b-side of their single "Do You Want to Know a Secret", a song also written by Lennon–McCartney. The single reached number two in the UK charts while "From Me to You" by the Beatles was occupying the number 1 position. According to Lennon, the song was written by McCartney: "This was early Paul." The Beatles, featuring Lennon and McCartney, recorded a version of the song, first released in 1994 on the Live at the BBC compilation.
Contents
Background
In 1980 Lennon said "that's Paul on the voids of driving through the country."
"I'll Be on My Way" is considered to be the first song that Lennon and McCartney "gave away", and the Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas' version of the song is included on the EMI album The Songs Lennon and McCartney Gave Away.
In 1963, the Beatles and Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas were both acts managed by Brian Epstein, with George Martin as their producer.
The song may have been influenced by the musical and lyrical style of Buddy Holly. The persona forces a happy-go-lucky view on his break-up to make himself feel better, similar in character to Holly's 1959 song "It Doesn't Matter Anymore". The song was recorded at BBC Paris Theatre, London
Recording
This song was recorded by the Beatles on 4 April 1963 at the BBC Paris Theatre, London, and broadcast on the BBC radio show Side by Side on 24 June 1963. This is the only known recording of "I'll Be on My Way" by the Beatles; it features joint lead vocals by McCartney and Lennon, and can be heard on the Beatles' album Live at the BBC, where it is the only previously unreleased original song.