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If You've Got Trouble
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Wikipedia article
"'If You've Got Trouble'" is a song written by LennonMcCartney and recorded by the Beatles on 18 February 1965 with Ringo Starr singing the lead vocal. The song was intended to be Starr's vocal appearance on the 'Help!' album and the 'Help!' film, but the Beatles were not happy with the recording and later chose "Act Naturally" (which is not in the film) instead. "If You've Got Trouble" remained unreleased until 'Anthology 2' in 1996.
Recording
"If You've Got Trouble" was recorded in a session beginning at 6:00pm on 18 February 1965, the fourth day of recording for 'Help!'. It was one of three songs worked on that day, the others being "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" (recorded earlier in the day) and "Tell Me What You See" (recorded in the same evening session).
The backing track for the song was recorded in a single take. Starr then overdubbed a double-tracked vocal, and Harrison added an extra guitar part.
A mono mix of "If You've Got Trouble" was prepared on 20 February 1965. A stereo mix of the song was created for 'Anthology 2', and this mono mix remains unreleased.
Aborted release
"If You've Got Trouble" was prepared for release in 1984 for the 'Sessions' album. Geoff Emerick edited the arrangement, swapping the verses around and knocking around 20 seconds off the running time. After the release of 'Sessions' was blocked by the surviving Beatles, this version was subsequently widely bootlegged until the unedited version was released on 'Anthology 2'.
Critical reception
Music critic Ian MacDonald said the song was "the only unmitigated disaster in the LennonMcCartney catalogue", and criticised its lyrics and melody. Beatles' historian Mark Lewisohn agreed, saying it was "not one of the better LennonMcCartney numbers ... nor was it brilliantly performed." George Harrison stated that "it's the most weird song...it's got stupid words and is the naffest song. No wonder it didn't make it onto anything." AllMusic critic Richie Unterberger gave a more favourable assessment, remarking that "For all its lack of seriousness, 'If You Got Trouble' '[sic]' is hummable, likable, and performed with good-natured spirit."
Cover versions
The song was covered by singer Fabienne Delsol with her group The Bristols, appearing on their 1999 album 'Introducing... The Bristols'.
Although not technically a cover, the Posies' instrumental "Alison Hubbard" (included on the expanded reissue of 'Failure') is built around a copy of the main "If You've Got Trouble" riff.
Personnel
* Ringo Starr double-tracked vocal, drums
* John Lennon rhythm guitar
* Paul McCartney bass
* George Harrison lead guitar
* George Martin producer
* Norman Smith engineer
See also
* "That Means a Lot" another LennonMcCartney song recorded during the 'Help!' sessions that was unreleased
References
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