Song: Yes It Is
Album: Beatles VI (US) and as the 'B-side' of Ticket To Ride (US & UK), 1965
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O-wmVqFD4w (Take 14);
http://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/yes-it-is/
http://www.beatlesebooks.com/yes-it-is
Tempo: 12|8
Style: Slow-moving melodic ballad
Tuning: Standard
Chords:
EADGBe
022100
A X02220
242222
X24242
XX0212
X46654
X46654
X24432
244222
244322
466544
(Lead swells over)
If you wear red tonight,
Remember what I said tonight.
For red is the colour that my baby wore,
And what is more, it's true.
Yes it is.
Scarlet were the clothes she wore,
Everybody knows I'm sure.
I would remember all the things we planned,
Understand, it's true,
Yes it is, it's true.
()
Yes it is.
BRIDGE 1:
I could be happy with you by my side.
If I could forget her,
But it's my pride.
Yes it is, yes it is, (Ah, ah-h)
Oh, yes it is, yeah. (Ah, ah-h)
Please don't wear red tonight,
This is what I said tonight.
For red is the colour that will make me blue,
In spite of you, it's true.
Yes it is, it's true,
Yes it is, it's true.
BRIDGE 2:
I could be happy with you by my side.
If I could forget her,
But it's my pride.
Yes it is, yes it is, (Ah, ah-h)
Oh, yes it is, yeah. (Ah, ah-h)
Please don't wear red tonight,
This is what I said tonight.
For red is the colour that will make me blue,
In spite of you, it's true.
Yes it is, it's true,
Yes it is, it's true.
CODA:(Solo lead swell)
[End]
NOTES:
1. Tuesday, 16th February, 1965
Studio Two: ... 5.00-7.00pm. Recording: 'Yes It Is' (takes 1-14). Studio Two: 7.00-10.00pm. Recording:
'Yes It Is' (SI onto take 14). P: George Martin. : Norman Smith. 2E: Ken Scott/Jerry Boys. ...The
final song of the day, which took five hours to record, was 'Yes It Is', an exquisite and intricate
three-part harmony ballad written by John and sung by John, Paul and George in a style reminiscent
of 'This Boy'. 'Yes It Is' was not selected for the film soundtrack in preparation, nor was it
Included on what was to become the Help! album. Instead it appeared merely as the -side of the
Beatles' next single, 'Ticket To Ride', such was the group's embarrassment of songwriting riches.
Predominant again was George Harrison and his tone pedal guitar. It took 14 takes to perfect the
rhythm track and then three hours for John, Paul and George - all singing live - to get the harmony
to everyone's satisfaction. This was recorded as an unnumbered overdub onto take 14. In previous years
it would have become take 15. - Mark Lewisohn, 'The Beatles Recording Sessions', 1988 EMI Records Ltd.
2. An interesting footnote is 'Yes It Is', Take 13. A solo and slightly 'Goon-ish' effort by
John Lennon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ5nhyYShtM.