Saturday 6 November 1965 · Recording session · Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road · By Beatles Fabdom
The Beatles returned to Paul McCartney’s “I’m Looking Through You” on 6 November 1965, recording a new version for Rubber Soul. Working in Studio Two at EMI Studios with producer George Martin and engineer Norman Smith, they taped two new backing-track takes and added overdubs to the second.
The session ran from 7pm until 1am. The new takes were numbered 2 and 3, continuing the numbering from the first recording on 24 October. Take 3 received the additional work, but this version was also set aside.
Session facts
| Date | Saturday 6 November 1965 |
|---|---|
| Song | I’m Looking Through You |
| Writer | Paul McCartney, credited to Lennon–McCartney |
| Album project | Rubber Soul |
| Location | Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London |
| Producer | George Martin |
| Engineer | Norman Smith |
| Session hours | 7pm–1am, ending early on 7 November |
| New backing-track takes | Takes 2 and 3 |
| Overdubbed take | Take 3 |
| Outcome | First remake, superseded by the recording begun on 10 November |
From the October recording to the first remake
The Beatles had first recorded “I’m Looking Through You” on 24 October 1965. That day’s work produced Take 1, including the overdubs needed to build a complete version.
The October performance differed from the eventual album arrangement and lacked its familiar “Why, tell me why” bridge. It was later released on Anthology 2 in 1996.
On 6 November, the band began again rather than continuing to add parts to the October tape. The new recording was faster, bringing the song closer to its later form without producing the performance selected for the LP.
Takes 2 and 3
The six-hour evening session produced two backing-track takes, numbered 2 and 3. Take 3 was selected for further work.
The session records list organ and guitar overdubs on that take, followed by two lead-vocal overdubs. McCartney sang the lead vocal, building the double-tracked vocal part over the new instrumental recording.
| Stage | Recorded work |
|---|---|
| Take 2 | New backing track for the first remake |
| Take 3 | Second backing-track attempt of the evening, selected for overdubs |
| Take 3 overdubs | Organ and guitar, followed by two lead-vocal passes |
Although the new version received these additional parts, The Beatles remained dissatisfied. The finished Rubber Soul recording would come from a further remake later in November.
The route to the album master
The group returned to the song on 10 November and recorded Take 4, the backing track used for the released version. Further overdubs followed during the session dated 11 November, with mixing on 15 November.
The song’s recording history therefore spans three separate approaches: the original Take 1 on 24 October, the first remake on 6 November, and the second remake begun on 10 November.
| Date | Work |
|---|---|
| 24 October 1965 | Original version, Take 1, later released on Anthology 2 |
| 6 November 1965 | First remake, takes 2 and 3; overdubs added to Take 3 |
| 10 November 1965 | Second remake, Take 4, providing the album backing track |
| 11 November 1965 | Further overdubs on Take 4 |
| 15 November 1965 | Mono and stereo mixing |
| 3 December 1965 | British release of Rubber Soul |
Paul McCartney’s song on Rubber Soul
“I’m Looking Through You” was written by McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. Its lyrics concern a relationship in which the other person seems to have changed, and McCartney associated the song with Jane Asher.
On the British Rubber Soul album, it appears as the third track on side two, between “Girl” and “In My Life”. The original UK album contained fourteen songs.
Explore the Rubber Soul album guide and complete British tracklist for the wider recording and release story.
Studio Two at EMI Studios
The 6 November session took place in Studio Two at EMI Studios, the complex now known as Abbey Road Studios. George Martin produced the recording, with Norman Smith as engineer.
The studio address is 3 Abbey Road, St John’s Wood, London NW8 9AY. The map identifies the recording complex where the work took place.
Open Abbey Road Studios in Google Maps. Read our Beatles guide to Abbey Road Studios for more about the group’s work there.
Explore the Rubber Soul collection
Browse the Rubber Soul collection for designs connected with the album.
The Rubber Soul ukulele carries a purple-and-orange design based on the album’s lettering.
The green Rubber Soul album T-shirt features the album-cover photograph and orange title.
Frequently asked questions
What did The Beatles record on 6 November 1965?
They recorded the first remake of I’m Looking Through You, making takes 2 and 3 and adding overdubs to Take 3.
Where did the session take place?
In Studio Two at EMI Studios, 3 Abbey Road, London, with George Martin producing and Norman Smith engineering.
How long did the session last?
It ran from 7pm until 1am, ending early on 7 November.
Was Take 3 used on Rubber Soul?
No. The album master was based on Take 4, recorded on 10 November and completed with further overdubs.
When was the first version recorded?
On 24 October 1965. That version was later released on Anthology 2 in 1996.
When was Rubber Soul released in Britain?
On 3 December 1965.
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