Why \u201cAnna\u201d Mattered to John Lennon ❤️<\/h2>
\u201cAnna (Go to Him)\u201d was a personal favorite of John Lennon\u2019s\u2014significant praise from a Beatle who was already developing his own songwriting voice. The song had become part of The Beatles\u2019 early live repertoire, meaning it was road-tested and audience-approved before they ever entered the studio. 🎤<\/p>
The song\u2019s appeal likely lay in its emotional complexity. Arthur Alexander\u2019s original told the story of a man selflessly telling the woman he loves to return to her former boyfriend\u2014a narrative of painful sacrifice and mature love. For Lennon, who was beginning to explore emotional vulnerability in his vocal performances, \u201cAnna\u201d provided the perfect vehicle. It wasn\u2019t just another rock and roll cover; it was a genuine soul ballad that required emotional authenticity. 💫<\/p>
The Original: Arthur Alexander\u2019s Soul Masterpiece 🎹<\/h2>
Written and originally recorded by Arthur Alexander, \u201cAnna\u201d was released as a single by Dot Records on September 17, 1962. The song was based on Alexander\u2019s real-life relationship with his girlfriend (later wife) Ann, and the attempts by her wealthy former boyfriend to win her back. Interestingly, Alexander\u2019s biographer Richard Younger notes that while Alexander himself had been unfaithful in marriage, in the song he cast himself as the abandoned lover\u2014an artistic reversal of reality.<\/p>
The song became a modest hit, reaching #68 on the pop charts and #10 on the R&B listings. Music critic Dave Marsh rated it as one of the top 1001 singles of all time, praising its \u201cgently swinging rhythm\u201d and tough, syncopated drumming by Nashville drummer Kenny Buttrey. Marsh even suggested that Lennon may have learned to sing ballads like \u201cIn My Life\u201d by listening to Alexander\u2019s performance. 🌟<\/p>
Critic Richie Unterberger called \u201cAnna\u201d \u201cone of the great early soul ballads,\u201d noting its distinctive \u201cloping groove\u201d that sat somewhere between mid-tempo and slow ballad territory. The song featured Floyd Cramer\u2019s memorable piano phrase that would later be translated to guitar by George Harrison in The Beatles\u2019 version. 🎼<\/p>
Fun fact: Despite the song\u2019s title, the actual lyric throughout is \u201cgo with<\/em> him\u201d rather than \u201cgo to<\/em> him.\u201d And regarding the extra syllable in the title? Alexander simply said, \u201cit just fit better than Ann.\u201d 😊<\/p> On February 11, 1963, The Beatles recorded \u201cAnna (Go to Him)\u201d in just three takes at EMI Studios, with Take 3 becoming the master. The session was part of the marathon recording day that produced much of their debut album. The track was later remixed on February 25. ⚡<\/p>The Beatles\u2019 Recording Session 🎙️<\/h2>
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