Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am interested in that Beatles' 12-String song that you find to be most unique and why. For me it is "I call your name". From the opening 12-String Riff to the innovative work in the chorus this is truly a classic. But the 12-String instrumental is, for me, the crowning touch.

For me the ultimate 12 string Beatle tunes are:

You can't do That
If I needed Someone
What You're Doing
If I fell

Of course I also like all 12 string tunes in the Byrds 1st four albums!

I also enjoy the very end of "You Were on my Mind" by The We Five

ANd lastly the end of AHDN! Looking forward to the DVD release!

I think the twelve string work on these tracks is amazing:

- What's The New Mary Jane (take 82)
- You Know My Name, Look Up The Number
- Revolution # 9 (take 3 - left channel)

OK, I lied...

Peter, I agree with you on "I Call Your Name" but I also really like both: "You Can't Do That" and "If I Needed Someone".

...and to be a complete slug, I'll second the Byrds catalog - of which I've had "We Have Ignition" from the box set in the car cd player for about three days now.

I've always been partial to "I Should Have Known Better". I especially like the 12-string that George plays during the bridge.

How 'bout this one:

"And Your Bird Can Sing"-- the alternate take off of 'Anthology 2'--there is some neat 12 string work on this version, and it is the LAST SONG the Beatles ever used the Rickenbacker 12 on, recording or otherwise.

John - I don't know if the Ricky survived into the final take. If it did, its pretty buried in the mix, but AYBCS ought to be on the list anyway just because it should be on ANY list of amazing songs by these guys...

Gary, you're absolutly correct. IMO it didn't make the 're-make' that made it on the album, but what they had goin' on during this version would have been really cool if it had made it to the end..

It is to my knowledge the very last time they tried to use a Rick 12 on a record, though.

What about"Dear Prudence"???

Don, I always thought that was Lennon doubling himself; what guitar(s) he's using on the recording I can't recall at the moment..maybe someone else will chime in.

Rob Taylor's "Beatles To A T" video really nails Dear Prudence and apart from the Casino on the electric parts I seem to recall this as being a six string acoustic - which I think at the time (Rishikish) would have been a Martin, no?

I find George's work on "Ticket to Ride" and "I Need You" to be my favorite examples of the Ricky, along with, of course, "A Hard Days Night." I think it's very unusual to hear a volume pedal on a 12 string, certainly at that time, and his playing on "I Need You" gave the song a very noble quality, contrasted against John's nylon string rhythm.

Tom: Thanks for these comments. You really have me thinking about these two songs. They have always been favourites of mine as well. I need to go listen to them more closely.