Additional Coverage:
In 1965, around the same time The Beatles released their hit “Day Tripper,” John Lennon recorded a demo for an unfinished song titled “Little Girl.” This previously unheard track was finally made public for the first time on October 2.
The recording had been a closely guarded secret, unknown even to the most devoted Beatles fans until earlier this year, according to Beatles historian Kevin Howlett.
Included in the special edition of The Beatles’ Rubber Soul album, the 2-minute and 17-second demo features Lennon’s raw vocals accompanied only by his acoustic guitar. The song’s lyrics are simple and heartfelt: “Little girl, I’ve come to say that this has been a lovely day/I love youuuuu,” with the chorus blending “la la la”s and repeated “I love you”s.
Giles Martin, son of the legendary Beatles producer George Martin, shared his thoughts with MOJO magazine, noting that the demo “shows you where Lennon was at the time.” He described it as a straightforward pop song, one that might have fit on Lennon’s later Double Fantasy album after he had come full circle creatively. Martin also pointed out the subtle hint of Lennon’s evolving perspective, suggesting the singer was beginning to question the simplicity of such tunes.
This newly released glimpse into Lennon’s creative process offers fans a rare and intimate look at a song that might have been, capturing a moment in time during one of rock’s most iconic eras.