• Composition Credits: Lennon-McCartney
• Recording Dates: 7, 8, 11 April; 18 May; 17 June 1966
• Producer: George Martin
• Recording Engineer: Geoff Emerick
• Release Dates: 5 August 1966 (UK), 8 August 1966 (US)
• Available on:
  • Album: Revolver
  • Compilation: Anthology 2
• Personnel:
  • Paul McCartney: Vocals, Bass
  • John Lennon: Rhythm Guitar
  • George Harrison: Lead Guitar
  • Ringo Starr: Drums, Tambourine
  • George Martin: Organ
  • Eddie Thornton, Ian Hamer, Les Condon: Trumpet
  • Alan Branscombe, Peter Coe: Tenor Saxophone

About The Song

The second track recorded for the Revolver album, following ‘Tomorrow Never Knows,’ was ‘Got To Get You Into My Life,’ a pop song influenced by Motown and penned by Paul McCartney.

John Lennon held a particular admiration for the lyrics of ‘Got To Get You Into My Life,’ interpreting them as a reference to LSD.

Once again, it’s Paul’s creation. In my opinion, that was one of his finest compositions because the lyrics are excellent, and I didn’t write them. You see? When I say he could craft lyrics with effort, here’s proof. It essentially describes the experience of taking acid. I believe that’s what he’s conveying. I can’t be certain, but I think it was a result of that.

John Lennon All We Are Saying, David Sheff

Contrary to Lennon’s interpretation, McCartney later clarified that the song was actually about marijuana.

‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ was composed when I had just been introduced to pot. I had been a fairly straight working-class guy, but when we started with pot, it seemed quite uplifting to me. I didn’t struggle with it, and to me, it was literally mind-expanding. So ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ is truly a song about that; it’s not directed at a person. It’s essentially about pot, expressing, “I’m going to do this. This is not a bad idea.” So, it’s essentially an ode to pot, similar to someone else composing an ode to chocolate or a fine claret.

Paul McCartney Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

The recording process for ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ was a meticulous one. The Anthology 2 album features a version from the first day’s recording, April 7, played on a harmonium, sounding quite distinct from the final arrangement on Revolver.

The following day, The Beatles experimented with a different arrangement, eventually settling on the rhythm track. On April 11, they added a guitar part, but the song remained untouched until May 18.

On that day, they incorporated the distinctive brass and woodwind parts, along with two lead vocal parts, tambourine, and organ. The Beatles enlisted two members of Georgie Fame’s group, The Blue Flames, known to Lennon and McCartney from the London club scene. Eddie Thornton and Peter Coe, along with other freelance jazz musicians, contributed.

The Beatles aimed for a definite jazz feel, with Paul and George Martin taking the lead. Although there was no written score, Paul sat at the piano, demonstrating what he wanted, and they played with the rhythm track in their headphones. After a few attempts to get the feel right, John Lennon, in the control room, suddenly rushed out, raised his thumb, and exclaimed, ‘Got it!’ George Harrison got somewhat involved, but Ringo sat in the corner playing draughts.

Peter Coe The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

A final guitar overdub was made on June 17, 1966, and mono mixes were produced on the same day.