Not a Second Time

Chapter Seven

Whoa-ah, -whoa-ah!

Paul and I shared a single microphone with John for the chorus. It was only part of the song where it needed back-ups. John would be staying with the mike near his mouth though. He was the main vocals.

I got a whole lot of things to tell her

When I get home.

I left them two and went to my place and kept playing the lead in the instruments. I had to make a prominent sound like Ringo on the back. John’s strumming and Paul’s bass were still in their arms but playing them weren’t really that necessary since aside from John, Paul had to harmonize with most of John’s singing.

Come on, I’m on my way,

‘Cause I’m a-gonna see my baby today;

I’ve got a whole lot of things

I’ve gotta say to her.

Then it was back to the chorus. I did no adlib in this song- it was close to the beat of a rock n roll and the chords were pretty much similar. I found the song repetitive though it was a nice one. We did the refrain once and the chorus again and it was the end.

The room went bright and through the glass window of the mixing room George Martin raised his hand, indicating that the recording of the song was over.

I yawned and sat on my guitar’s amplifier.

John and Paul started talking, still holding their guitar and bass.

“Look who didn’t sleep so well last night.” I heard Ringo said as he sat on his feet and looked at me. “What happened to you?”

John probably heard this, he stopped talking to Paul and butted in. “My goodness. This Harrison lad had been doing something else that kept him awake, did you George?” He ruffled my head before went grinning at Ringo. “Hey I thought Pattie was away. Tell me you didn’t wank all alone or hit on with some girl in an alley outside a pub.”

I flung a bad stare at John. I didn’t have the energy to care about what he said. Paul came to ogle, asking what the matter was. I waited for George’s warning but he seemed not to bother even though he saw us talking in the precious recording room. He was busy talking with Buckley and I sensed they were having a problem with something. Technical problems maybe? Maybe they heard a problem with the record we just made. He didn’t tell us anyway. I sure hoped the problem weren’t us or me particularly. I arrived twenty minutes late but I wasn’t the tardiest. We couldn’t start without George and we waited for ten more minutes. Eppy wasn’t around so George was left alone to take care of everything. Buckley was there to help him.

“Here Geo, have a cigar.” Paul handed me his box of Marlboro Lights. “Just to wake your senses up.”

Aye, I became so careless I forgot to bring mine. I took a piece from Paul’s and I let him light it for me. Menthol wasn’t really my favorite I liked the Reds better but Paul had a different taste. I took a drag and fumed the smoke through my nose. “Thanks.” I said to him but still feeling rather drowsy.

“Will you tell us happened now eh?” Paul asked worryingly.

John grabbed two sticks from Paul. He gave one to Ringo who laughed along a little with him and one to himself. “’Ey Macca, thanks for sponsoring!” He winked at Paul and went to light his and Ringo’s cigarette.

“Yeah right.” Paul rolled his eyes then he went to me and continued to ask. “George, really. What happened?”

I put the guitar down and stood up from my old position. “I overslept. I came home pretty late last night.”