“I'm Down” by The Beatles

"I'm Down" went out as the B-side of "Help!" in July 1965, off any album, and it's Paul McCartney doing his best Little Richard, whose "Long Tall Sally" the Beatles kept in their set. The credit reads Lennon-McCartney, but the song is Paul's, and he sings it like his hair is on fire: the words tell of love that isn't returned, yet the performance is a manic, cocksure celebration, which is why some commentators hear a wink of parody in it.

It was cut in June 1965 during the Help! sessions with George Martin producing, and it runs on three chords and nerve, Ringo adding bongos to his drums and John playing a Vox Continental organ, a first for the band, slamming out glissandos with his elbow like Jerry Lee Lewis. It closed their shows on the 1965 and 1966 tours, Shea Stadium included.

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