Drive My Car - Who Played Lead?

[randyz]

My local talk radio station has lately taken to playing a loop of 'Drive My Car' during traffic reports. It starts with "Baby, you can drive my car, Beep-Beep, Beep-Beep Yeah!" and then continues for about a minute looping the guitar solo over and over again. I must say that hearing the lead so many times has given me a new appreciation (and not burned me out as I would have expected) for it.

Like most people, I used to think that George played 99% of the lead guitar parts on Beatle recordings. Of course now we know that Paul was playing many of the lead bits, starting notably during the 'Help!' sessions with 'Ticket To Ride'. On 'Revolver' he played a phenomenal lead on George's 'Taxman'. By 'Sgt. Pepper' he was playing killer leads on songs like the title track and 'Fixing A Hole'. This leads me to question whether it was George or Paul playing the solo on 'Drive My Car'.

Does anybody know the answer?

PS - Although everyone knows that Ringo was the best guitarist in the group, that's the wrong answer this time.

[tennis_nick]

I also used to think it was Paul who played the lead for the longest time, until I heard something I hadn't caught. the last lick is played entirely with a slide, which I believe plops it well into George territory.

[Scastles]

Good question, Randy. Candidly, I could hear the lead, and opening riff, going either way, Harrison or McCartney. I lean more to George though, on style and what sounds like slide work. The song was pretty much all Paul's (from a composition standpoint), but I sure can't be definitive, and I haven't read or heard anything saying who did it one way or the other. Pretty much would figure McCartney was on the piano, as well as the bass. In the final analysis, I haven't been much help in your quest. Great song though.

[simer4001]

I also used to think it was Paul who played the lead for the longest time, until I heard something I hadn't caught. the last lick is played entirely with a slide, which I believe plops it well into George territory.

I don't think George was really into slide until the late 60's. Maybe the Recording Sessions book has some info.

[tennis_nick]

I also used to think it was Paul who played the lead for the longest time, until I heard something I hadn't caught. the last lick is played entirely with a slide, which I believe plops it well into George territory.

I don't think George was really into slide until the late 60's. Maybe the Recording Sessions book has some info.

He plays slide on Run For Your Life which is also on Rubber Soul, so I don't think it makes logistical sense

[randyz]

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I too considered the slide-playing, but Paul was adding rudimentary slide parts to 'Help!' songs like 'Another Girl' and the fade-out of 'Ticket To Ride' just months before 'Drive My Car' was recorded. When was George first recorded playing with a slide? I recall reading that Paul used the handle of a drum stick or brush to achieve his slide sound. There are things about the 'Drive My Car' solo that sound like both Paul and George, and that's what keeps nagging me everytime I hear a traffic report...

[tennis_nick]

I don't recall hearing a slide on Ticket to ride or Another girl, what I do hear alot is what i believe to be 1 step bends that are pretty quick, that's how I always played them anyhow, I can't say what really went down in that studio.

If anything, I'd say it was George's playing, but with Paul on tight reigns as to how it was to be played ( which Paul and George Martin often seemed to do to George)

[simer4001]

I also used to think it was Paul who played the lead for the longest time, until I heard something I hadn't caught. the last lick is played entirely with a slide, which I believe plops it well into George territory.

I don't think George was really into slide until the late 60's. Maybe the Recording Sessions book has some info.

He plays slide on Run For Your Life which is also on Rubber Soul, so I don't think it makes logistical sense

Hmm. I thought George's love for slide didn't come about until 1969.

[Scastles]

Kinda have to side with Nick, about 'instruction'. I can easily see McCartney in the 'play it this way' role.

I looked in the Recording the Beatles book and the Beatles Recording Sessions book. Nada. No mention of who really did what.

[tennis_nick]

I don't think George was really into slide until the late 60's. Maybe the Recording Sessions book has some info.

He plays slide on Run For Your Life which is also on Rubber Soul, so I don't think it makes logistical sense

Hmm. I thought George's love for slide didn't come about until 1969.

I recall 69 being about the time he realised it was one of the only way he could really stand out again as a guitarist, but he was playing slide much earlier as the recordings will show.

[soundmasterg]

I've read in several places over the years that Paul played the slide lick in Drive My Car, but I can't recall where. Personally I do think Paul played it.

Greg

[Scastles]

McCartney played the lead guitar solo, although Harrison composed the guitar riff which underpins the verses. McCartney doubled this figure an octave lower on the bass.

~ excerpt from Ian McDonald's book, Revolution in the Head, The Beatles Recordings in the Sixties.

[gregga41]

Hey Randy, a local radio station here in Melbourne has used exactly that same "Drive my car" loop for years on their traffic reports. There is something" McCarmey-ish about the lead, good to see others picked up on it as well!

[randyz]

Yep, I thought it sounded like Paul. As George Martin says, "All You Need Are Ears".

[gregga41]

"McCarmey-ish"!!!!!???? ...........TAXI!