The Beatles - What Goes On Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who wrote 'What Goes On' by The Beatles?

   'What Goes On' was written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr). This song marks Ringo Starr's first-ever composing credit with the Beatles.

2. When was 'What Goes On' recorded and released?

   'What Goes On' was recorded in one take with overdubs during a late-night session on November 4, 1965. It was released in the UK on December 3, 1965, as part of the album Rubber Soul. In the US, it was released as the B-side to 'Nowhere Man' on February 21, 1966.

3. Why is Ringo Starr's contribution to 'What Goes On' significant?

   Ringo Starr's contribution to 'What Goes On' is significant because it earned him his first songwriting credit with the Beatles. He humorously noted that he only wrote about five words for the song and hadn't done much since.

4. Was there an earlier version of 'What Goes On' before its release on Rubber Soul?

   'What Goes On' dates back to March 1963 when it was considered for recording but ultimately set aside in favor of another song. A demo version from that period exists but wasn't used until its resurrection for Rubber Soul in November 1965.

5. How did critics react to 'What Goes On' compared to other tracks on Rubber Soul?

   'What Goes On' received mixed reviews from critics. Some viewed it as a weaker track compared to others on Rubber Soul. Beatles writer Kenneth Womack called it arguably the weakest track on the album, while Richie Unterberger from AllMusic found it an enjoyable if lightweight addition.

6. Are there any notable production details for 'What Goes On'?

   'What Goes On' features distinctive guitar work by George Harrison and a soulful bass line by Paul McCartney. The recording session included engineers Norman Smith, Ken Scott, and Graham Platt under producer George Martin. An interesting production note is that Harrison’s Gretsch Tennessean guitar gets muted during the last two bars of the mono mix due to an engineering oversight.