#92 – If I Needed Someone with Ethan Alexanian (host, Fans on the Run)

Imagine the feeling you’d get when the band that was the inspiration for YOUR band put out a song and told everyone YOUR band inspired that song? Probably a pretty amazing feeling. That’s exactly what happened when The Beatles released the George Harrison-penned “If I Needed Someone“ on Rubber Soul in December 1965. George was quick to give credit to Roger McGuinn and The Byrds for the 12 string riff that propels the song, as it’s a pretty direct descendant of The Byrds’ “The Bells of Rhymney.” It’s also a pretty brilliant piece of stoned cool that, to me, exemplifies sound of Rubber Soul. The final echoes of the 12 string that powered the 64-Beatlemania hits leads the charge one more time on a song that contains big hints of the new direction, a droning sound taken from George’s new interest in Indian music, brilliant 3 part harmonies borrowing a page from the increasingly intricate harmonies of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys (as well as the aforementioned Byrds). It’s a song the Fabs obviously liked too, as they performed it from 65 through the end of their touring career in 1966, making it the only Harrison composition the band ever played live.

Joining us to chat about this song is the one and only Ethan Alexanian, the host of Fans on the Run, the podcast for, by, and about Beatles fans. Ethan joins us to talk brave sartorial choices, fandom, obscure 60s groups, the joy and pain of 12 strings, and more! Ethan loves this song so much he’s almost at a loss for words! Be sure to listen to Fans on the Run anywhere you get podcasts, follow along on ⁠Facebook⁠ or ⁠Instagram⁠, and check out Ethan’s killer artwork at https://ethanalexanian.com