The Beatles – Songs Released in 1964
Songs released by The Beatles in 1964, listed alphabetically. The Beatles released two official UK albums in ’64 – A Hard Day’s Night & Beatles For Sale. You’ll see below that while Paul McCartney was writing some great songs during this period, John Lennon was the bigger creative force in 1964. As things would move forward this would begin to equal out and in some years McCartney would write more of The Beatles songs than Lennon did.
1. “A Hard Day’s Night”
Written and sung by John Lennon, this is one of the Beatles most famous early songs, partly because it’s also the title for their influential movie of the same name also released in 1964. It was of course also the name of the accompanying album which holds the distinction of being the only Beatles album to include only Lennon/McCartney originals. It was The Beatles 3rd album and a big step forward for the band. “A Hard Day’s Night” was a #1 single both the US & the UK.
2. “And I Love Her”
Written (mostly) and sung by Paul McCartney. This was one of The Beatles best early ballads. It was a #12 single in the US.
3. “Any Time at All”
Written and sung by John Lennon.
4. “Baby’s in Black”
A true Lennon/McCartney track (co-written & co-sung.) It’s somewhat unique in that it’s in 3/4 time (or “waltz” time.) Most Beatles (and rock/pop songs in general) are in 4/4 time.
5. “Can’t Buy Me Love”
Written and sung by Paul McCartney. #1 single in both the US and the UK.
6. “Eight Days a Week”
Like “A Hard Day’s Night” this title came from something Ringo Starr would say that wasn’t quite right but Lennon liked the sound of it and took it for a song. It was a #1 in the US and it was also a real Lennon/McCartney collaboration (rather than one in name only.)
7. “Every Little Thing”
Written by Paul McCartney but John Lennon was the lead singer. This is quite unusual as in most Beatles songs the lead singer was also the primary songwriter except in the case of Ringo Starr (and also George Harrison in the early years) who usually sang covers or Lennon/McCartney songs.
8. “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby”
This was a cover. Written by Carl Perkins and sung by George Harrison.
9. “Honey Don’t”
This is another Carl Perkins cover. This one was sung by Ringo Starr.
10. “I Call Your Name”
Written & sung by John Lennon. This was on a UK EP and today can only be found on the Past Masters Volume One.
11. “I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party”
Written & sung by John Lennon.
12. “I Feel Fine”
Written & sung by John Lennon. This was a single only release (not on any album) and can today be fund on The Beatles 1 and on the Past Masters Volume One. It reached #1 in both the US & the UK. It’s well known for the way it opens with guitar feedback which is an early sign of The Beatles coming experiments in the studio.
13. “I Should Have Known Better”
Written & sung by John Lennon.
14. “If I Fell”
Written & sung by John Lennon. A good example that McCartney was not the only balladeer of the Lennon/McCartney team.
15. “I’ll Be Back”
Written & sung by John Lennon.
16. “I’ll Cry Instead”
Written & sung by John Lennon. Along with being included on the A Hard Day’s Night album, it was released as a single in the US. It hit #25 on the US singles charts.
17. “I’ll Follow the Sun”
Written & sung by Paul McCartney. Actually originally written when McCartney was only a teenager in 1959.
18. “I’m a Loser”
Written & sung by John Lennon. The songs’ self depreciating lyrics were an early sign of the Beatles beginning to mature as lyricists.
19. “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You”
Written by John Lennon and sung by George Harrison.
20. “Kansas City”/”Hey, Hey Hey Hey”
This was a cover sung by Paul McCartney. The song(s) are credited to Lieber/Stoller/Penniman and was made famous by Little Richard (Penniman.)
21. “Komme Gib Mir Deine Hand”
Yes, you read that correctly. This was a German version of the mega hit “I Want to Hold Your Hand” which was released as a single in Germany. It can be heard today on Past Masters Volume One.
22. “Long Tall Sally”
Another Little Richard cover sung by Paul McCartney. The song is credited to Blackwell/Johnson/Penniman (Little Richard.) It was on a UK EP release. It can be found today on Past Masters Volume One.
23. “Matchbox”
Another Carl Perkins cover. This one was sung by Ringo Starr. It was released as a single in the US and reached #17 in the charts. Like all of the other early singles/EP releases that were not included on any UK albums, it can be heard on Past Masters Volume One.
24. “Mr. Moonlight”
This is a cover of a song written by Roy Lee Johnson. It was sung by John Lennon.
25. “No Reply”
A true Lennon/McCartney composition, although Lennon was the lead songwriter/singer.
26. “Rock and Roll Music”
A Chuck Berry cover. Sung by John Lennon.
27. “She’s A Woman”
Written & sung by Paul McCartney. It was the b-side to “I Feel Fine” and can be heard on Past Masters Volume One.
28. “Sie Liebt Dich”
The German version of “She Loves You.” Can be heard on Past Masters Volume One. Actually charted at #97 on the US singles charts despite being in German.
29. “Slow Down”
A Larry Williams cover. Sung by John Lennon. Can be heard on Past Masters Volume One.
30. “Tell Me Why”
Written and sung by John Lennon.
31. “Things We Said Today”
Written and sung by Paul McCartney.
32. “What You’re Doing”
Written and sung by Paul McCartney.
33. “When I Get Home”
Written and sung by John Lennon.
34. “Words of Love”
A Buddy Holly cover. Sung by Lennon & McCartney.
35. “You Can’t Do That”
Written & sung by John Lennon.