SONGBOOK
DAY TRIPPER/WE CAN WORK IT OUT
A-side:
Day Tripper (Lennon-McCartney)
A-side:
We Can Work It Out (Lennon-McCartney)
Released: 3 December 1965 (Parlophone)
Highest chart position: 1
Weeks in chart: 12 (5 at number 1)
FAB FACT
As recording for their new album got underway, John and Paul were ‘forced’ to write a single quicksmart. Musically inspired by Otis Redding, who later recorded his own version in 1967, ‘Day Tripper’ was mostly written by John. His lyrics satirised the London swingers who dabbled in a bohemian lifestyle but didn’t commit to its radical outlook.
FAB FACT
‘Day Tripper’ was scheduled to be the next Beatles single until, a few days later, Paul brought in the words and music to ‘We Can Work It Out’. John added the 16-bar middle, though it was George Martin’s idea to change its tempo from the rest of the song.
FAB FACT
‘We Can Work It Out’ was then earmarked as the A-side, much to John’s chagrin. He continued to argue that ‘Day Tripper’ should be the next single, so it was decided that both songs would be promoted as a double A-side. It went on to become The Beatles’ fastest-selling single in the UK since ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’. Over in the US, ‘We Can Work It Out’ reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, while ‘Day Tripper’ peaked at number five.