Today we start catching up with all the songs--mostly singles--that we've missed along the way. "I'm Down" was written by McCartney and released as a B-side to "Help!" in 1965.
Wikipedia states that "according to critic Richie Unterberger of Allmusic, ''I'm Down' is "one of the most frantic rockers in the entire Beatles' catalog.'" I have to agree; Paul's screaming earnestness as he asks, "How can you laugh when you know I'm down?" might be the best aspect of the song. The guitar is absolutely killer, too. As an homage to Little Richard, and this is an idea that no one really agrees about ("no one" meaning Ian MacDonald and Richie Unterberger), it definitely works.
Finally, an interesting tidbit from our friendly neighborhood Wikipedia:
At the beginning of the Anthology version, McCartney says, "Let's hope this one turns out pretty darn good" in a faux American accent. During the session, particularly between takes one and two, McCartney can be heard repeating the phrase "Plastic soul, man, plastic soul". He later revealed that the phrase, which the Beatles later adapted for the title of their album Rubber Soul, was used by black musicians to describe Mick Jagger.
Not sure if that's a compliment or a statement of fact. :P
That's it for today... See you tomorrow!
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Heard It Tally: 50
Songs Completed: 201
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