Mr. Write's Page

The Beatles were, let’s face it, a musical and cultural phenomenon. From the time they emerged in the early 1960s, they out-wrote and out-performed everyone else in the business. Even if Beatles music isn’t your cup of tea, you have to acknowledge their amazing talent as songwriters and performers.

With me, of course, it’s personal. I was 17 when The Beatles burst on the scene. I grew up on Beatles music. I followed their careers and antics in real time over the years.

I could go on, but I wrote a post earlier this year that covered the subject pretty well.

My personal preference is for early Beatles tunes. At that stage, the lads were fresh, enthusiastic, and natural. And, as evidenced below, they weren’t above writing sentimental love songs. A mushy tune about romance is fine with me, if the song and performance have merit.

“If I Fell” is typical of the early love ballads from The Beatles. It tells the sad story of a fellow on the rebound, rejected by a girl he still loves deeply. It’s a beautiful song, performed with superb vocals and harmony.

John Lennon said this tune was his first attempt at a love ballad. Clearly, he had the knack.  

If I Fell

By The Beatles, 1964
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

If I fell in love with you,
Would you promise to be true,
And help me understand.
‘Cause I’ve been in love before,
And I found that love was more
Than just holding hands.

If I give my heart
to you,
I must be sure,
From the very start,
That you
would love me more than her.

If I trust in you,
Oh, please,
Don’t run and hide.
If I love you, too,
Oh, please,
Don’t hurt my pride like her,
‘Cause I couldn’t stand the pain,
And I
would be sad if our new love
was in vain.

So I hope you see
that I
Would love to love you,
And that she
will cry
When she learns we are two,
‘Cause I couldn’t stand the pain,
And I
would be sad if our new love
was in vain.

So I hope you see
that I
Would love to love you,
And that she
will cry
When she learns we are two,
If I fell in love with you.