I’m Looking Through You (Lennon/McCartney)
U.S. version false start
I’m Looking Through You contains one of the most significant differences between the original UK release version and the U.S. release version. The stereo version contains two false starts. The original release of The Capitol Albums Vol. 2 contained the false starts on the mono version, indicating that fold down mixes were used on the mono version rather than the original mono mix, as the false starts do not appear on the original mono mix. The set was later corrected with the correct mixes.
Quotes
“As is one’s wont in relationships, you will from time to time argue or not see eye to eye on things, and a couple of the songs around this period were that kind of thing. This one I remember particularly as me being disillusioned over her commitment…She went down to the Bristol Old Vic quite a lot around this time. Suffice it to say that this (song) was probably related to that romantic episode and I was seeing through her façade. And realizing that it wasn’t quite all that it seemed. I would write it out in a song and then I’ve got rid of the emotion. I don’t hold grudges so that gets rid of that little bit of emotional baggage. I remember specifically this one being about that, getting rid of some emotional baggage. ‘I’m looking through you, and you’re not there!’” – Paul McCartney
“I knew I was selfish. It caused a few rows. Jane went off and I said, ‘OK then. Leave. I’ll find someone else.’ It was shattering to be without her. That was when I wrote ‘I’m Looking Through You.” – Paul McCartney
“We usually talked more about music and records (than instruments). But I did ask Ringo about ‘I’m Looking Through You’ and that tapping percussion sound on it. He told me that I was privy to a great secret, that he just tapped on a pack of matches with his finger.” – Barry Tashian, lead guitarist and vocalist of the group The Remains
Personnel
- Paul McCartney – lead vocals, bass guitar
- John Lennon – harmony vocal, acoustic guitar
- George Harrison – lead guitar, tambourine
- Ringo Starr – drums, matchbox, Hammond organ
Release history
- Rubber Soul (1965)
- Anthology 2 (1996) [first version]
- Anthology Highlights (2011) [take 1]
