I Want To Hold Your Man

September-October 1963 was a busy period for the songwriting duo Lennon-McCartney. Amongst the songs composed in that period, I Wanna Be Your Man and I Want To Hold Your Hand take a special place.

I Wanna Be Your Man is pure erotic energy, and this more then compensates for the lack of melody or chord structure. On the other hand, I Want To Hold Your Hand is the first major Lennon-McCartney song, of the quality that earned them a place amongst the greatest composers of all time.

Two very different songs, and yet there are also many striking similarities:

- both start with the 'break' sequence, giving the songs a kick-start (and confusing the listener about the key the song is played in)

- both contain 'strange' chords (not a simple major or minor chord). This was really adventurous songwring in popsongs in 1963 !

- lyrics are - very...- similar; In short, both lyrics express a desire to have sex with the singer's partner. Of course, in 1963 this was described in a more roundabout way, but the message is the same.

- the desired partner remains anonymous in both songs; strikngly, we learn absolutely nothing about this attactive partner, not even his/her gender; it's all about the singer's feelings.

Although both songs are clearly true Lennon-McCartney collaborations, it is clear that Lennon took major responsibiity for the lyrics. It even contains the first 'Lennonism' in "...something, I think you'll understand'. 47 years later, we still don't know hat the 'something' is.....

Since Lennon usuallly wrote his lyrics straight form the heart & soul, these songs may well express Lennon's state of mind at that time; focus on physical love, not caring too much who his partner of the day was. The greatest fun aspect is that these songs reached incredible heights of popularty in the ultra puritan US of 1963/4 !