“The First Ballad I Impressed Myself With”: The Beatles Release ‘And I Love Her’ / ‘If I Fell’ on This Day in 1964
On July 20, 1964 — exactly 61 years ago — Capitol Records released one of The Beatles’ most tender and introspective singles in the United States: “And I Love Her” backed with “If I Fell” (Capitol 5235). Both tracks showcased a softer, more emotional side of the band, with melodies that contrasted the energetic rock and roll hits that had launched Beatlemania just months earlier. Featured on their third studio album, A Hard Day’s Night, these two songs offered early glimpses into the songwriting depth of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, capturing vulnerability, romanticism, and melodic brilliance that would soon define their musical legacy.
“And I Love Her,” sung by Paul McCartney and widely regarded as one of his earliest standout ballads, marked a turning point in his songwriting evolution. “It was the first ballad I impressed myself with,” McCartney later recalled, noting that the song stood out for its subtlety and maturity. The piece was built around a delicate acoustic guitar riff — brought to life with George Harrison’s now-iconic nylon-string solo — and lyrically, it portrayed an understated yet sincere love. McCartney emphasized the importance of the title’s structure: “The ‘And’ in the title was an important thing,” he said. “You were right up to speed the minute you heard it.” Uniquely, the song’s title doesn’t even appear until the second verse and is never repeated — a songwriting risk that paid off.
Though primarily McCartney’s composition, the middle eight (“A love like ours/Could never die…”) has long been a source of debate. In a 1980 Playboy interview, John Lennon claimed he contributed that section, with Beatles publisher Dick James backing this version, recalling that producer George Martin suggested adding a bridge during the recording process. According to James, Lennon and McCartney left the room for a brief moment and returned with the finished section, enhancing the track’s structure. McCartney later refuted the extent of Lennon’s input, stating, “The middle eight is mine… I wrote this on my own. I would say that John probably helped, but he can’t say ‘It’s mine.’”
“And I Love Her” was only performed live once by The Beatles outside the studio — for the BBC’s Top Gear radio show on July 14, 1964. That rare performance was broadcast two days later, making it one of the few live renditions of the track ever recorded. Despite its limited live presence, the single resonated deeply with audiences, reaching #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and standing as a testament to the band’s growing sophistication.
Paired with “If I Fell,” another tender love song penned by Lennon, the single cemented the idea that The Beatles were not just energetic performers but also artists capable of emotional depth and lyrical sensitivity. Lennon would later call “And I Love Her” McCartney’s “first ‘Yesterday,’” hinting at the powerful ballads yet to come. Today, both songs remain beloved for their graceful melodies and earnest simplicity — proof that even in their early twenties, Lennon and McCartney were already reshaping the language of popular music.