The Beatles - Eight Days a Week - Guitar Cover

A great beginner guitar song for acoustic and electric guitar players! “Eight Days a Week” is fairly straightforward, but recreating the nuances in John’s strumming and George’s chord smacks make for a great lesson in two guitar arranging!
Recorded on October 6, 1964, the basic rhythm takes had John on his Gibson J-160E acoustic and George on his Gretsch Tennessean. The Beatles were experimenting with introductions to “Eight Days a Week”, at this point variations of harmonized/unison “Oohs” and acoustic guitar. It wasn’t until October 18 that the classic 12 string Rickenbacker fade-in intro was recorded and edited onto the rhythm track (Take 6).
John’s acoustic guitar powers “Eight Days a Week”, and he varies his strumming pattern throughout. I tried to recreate his slight variations in my video. During the intro, he stacattos the ends of the D and E chords and plays an 8th note transition to the verse during the final D chord. He then strums on the beats for the first D chord of the verse, then strums a syncopated E7. This is the only E7 chord John plays in the song, the rest being basic E chords. Pay close attention to the embellishments and accents John adds to his strumming throughout the song. For example, the E chord at (0:15) sees an added “dada dada”, while he accents the lower half of most of his B minor chords on the “and of 2” (0:21).
During the final A chord of the first bridge, John strums an A7, just hinting at the 7th note (G) at the tail end of the chord (1:14) instead of strumming it throughout. In the second bridge, John plays the entire A7 during the whole measure (1:56). He also plays some muted eight notes at (2:04) during the 4th beat of the D chord.
George’s Gretsch uses the middle pickup position and begins the song with triplet D note octaves. He adds an F# at (0:05) during the intro. For much of the rest of the song, he plays a syncopated chord part. This consists of him upstroking the chord followed by a light tap of the root note. The root note sometimes gets lost in the full band mix. An interesting note, during early takes of “Eight Days a Week”, Paul can be heard telling George to “Try and play that fingerstyle”. George then plays the syncopated phrase with his fingers, producing a softer, slightly awkward sound. Paul then replies with “Might be better”. However, the sharp attack on George’s guitar in the final recording indicates that he switched back to a pick.
Another notable aspect of George’s performance is his use of the volume knob to create swells. He had tried doing this earlier in 1964 when recording “Baby’s in Black”, but was unable to play and swell at the same time. John had to control the volume knob while George played during an overdub. In “Eight Days a Week”, George seems to have gained control of these swells and is able to do them while playing. The swells can be heard during the end of the verses (i.e. 0:48) and during the Bm chord in the bridge (1:47) pulsing on the beat. On occasion, he swells the volume while the chord is being strummed, other times he strums the chord then swells in the volume. I recreated these nuances in my performance for you to hear more clearly.
George prefered playing an E7 during the verses, the only time he plays a regular E is at (0:15) and (0:28). Notice the slides he sometimes adds to the low G note (i.e. ). Likewise, he occasionally strums the open strings as a transition from the D chord to the E7 (i.e. 0:16). He also does this during the A chord in both bridges (i.e.e 1:43). At the end of each bridge, he slides from the G chord to the A chord (1:55).
During the outro, George’s triplet octaves get crazy and very syncopated (2:35). About halfway through the E chord, George pauses for a split second and then rapidly plays the octaves. When learning this song, I considered the options available to create this sound that involved both the open D and 3rd fret B string playing at once. On of these as to do George’s hybrid picking style where the pick and middle finger play together. However, the high D note plays so rapidly that it would be impossible to pick that fast with the middle finger. This led me to believe that George muted the G string and strummed the D, G, and B strings together with his pick. His Gretsch part then ends with the octave Ds played together.
Description continued in the pinned comment below!
Instruments Used:
John Lennon Rhythm Guitar: Gibson J-160E Standard
George Harrison Lead Guitar: Gretsch G5120
George Harrison Lead Guitar: Rickenbacker 360/12C63
Amp: Vox AC15C1

[@mattiboo]

The Rickenbacker 12 string guitar part also has its nuances. First, the tone in the intro is slightly different than that in the outro. The intro is a more open while the outro is a little more biting. I adjusted the blender knob to reflect these differences in tone, something that George may have done when recording the two sections back in 1964. For the intro, the blender knob was rolled slightly more toward the neck pickup than the outro, which was primarily bridge pickup. At (0:05) in the intro, the A to B notes are played straight, as opposed to the hammer-ons heard the other times. He then follows that with a strum of the Dsus4 chord on the first beat of the verse (0:06). During the intro, George sticks to playing only the G, B, and E strings while in the outro, he strums the D, B, b, and E strings for a fuller sound. He even includes the A string during the G chord at (2:35)!

[@lajvs]

Can you do paperback writer next?

[@nannen2973]

Could you please do paperback writer or rain?

[@TurboGibby-bh8bu]

Great Job! Where did you get the guitars from?

[@TurboGibby-bh8bu]

Great Job!

[@ziricgames3470]

mattiboo please to the next video can you play im a loser or hey jude please

[@PillsBuryDoughBoy_]

Can you please do Paperback Writer?

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

I second that opinion

[@DRguitar918]

Andy Aleman ohmygodyes

[@LegoDonut18]

Andy Aleman Men

[@ABCFORKIDSCOMEDIAN1998]

Can you do It Won't be Long

[@ryan.oconnor]

The acoustic guitar on this song has always been one of my favourite John performances!

[@livingroomset2084]

I'm so glad you remade this.

[@magneto7930]

Um...why?

[@FKMDC]

@@magneto7930 its better

[@trevorganoe748]

Reading your descriptions and watching and listening to your performances makes me feel humbled by the sheer amount of work and research you put into all of your videos to cover these seemingly simple but beloved songs. Rock on, man.

[@mattiboo]

Thank you!

[@mosesrys]

You should try Lady Madonna or Hey Bulldog

[@matthewfinnegan4482]

You should do there first song In Spite Of All The Danger

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

Yes that would be great

[@ronanfitzgerald7524]

Matthew Finnegan *their

[@abatista78]

I challenged you with “It’s All Too Much”.

[@jessechalif2428]

i would love to see that

[@panchido]

We don't do that here. Be gentle, please.

[@magneto7930]

With a few exceptions, that song is pretty much the same all the way through it. What's the point?

[@abatista78]

Its All Too Much is a psychedelic song like raga or drone indian music, but complex with 2 guitars, played by Paul. George played organ on that.

[@futebolrocknroll3220]

Oh, I need your love, babe Guess you know it's true Hope you need my love babe Just like I need you Hold me, love me, hold me, love me I ain't got nothing but love, babe Eight days a week Love you every day, girl Always on my mind One thing I can say, girl Love you all the time Hold me, love me, hold me, love me I ain't got nothing but love, girl Eight days a week Eight days a week I love you Eight days a week Is not enough to show I care Ooh I need your love, babe Guess you know it's true Hope you need my love babe Just like I need you Hold me, love me, hold me, love me I ain't got nothing but love, babe Eight days a week Eight days a week I love you Eight days a week Is not enough to show I care Love you every day, girl Always on my mind One thing I can say girl Love you all the time Hold me, love me, hold me, love me I ain't got nothing but love, babe Eight days a week Eight days a week Eight days a week

[@OffsetSolidmusic]

It's so cool to see how you're playing has improved over the years. Especially now, since Eight Days a Week was the first cover you did on KZbin, wasn't it? Plus, the tone and playing for George's part was spot on.

[@mattiboo]

Yes, Eight Days a Week was my very first video on KZbin! I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the progression over the years!

[@41knots20]

You do an outstanding job doing Beatles covers! Well done!

[@geofidgette]

In my opinion, best Beatles song ever

[@bstrouble]

I’m almost done mastering this song. It’ll be my 4th song I’ve learned on the guitar.

[@mattiboo]

Fantastic! This is a great strummer for new guitarists!

[@PillsBuryDoughBoy_]

Strange because I recently started to listen to this song and you already made a cover about it. Awesome!! Also I love your channel

[@justaaccount8738]

Lucy in the sky with diamonds!!!!

[@guilhermevideira1]

Do "She Said She Said", please!

[@manymoreno2798]

please "you've got to hide your love away"

[@lamartin5042]

Awesome! Thanks so much, I am always so excited for these!

[@dylanscott838]

great like always Mattiboo! i use your covers so often when i’m learning Beatles songs. always a pleasure to watch your videos, keep up the great work!

[@joakma2221]

Great 👌🏻

[@jacklowe1129]

good to see your back and with a great beatles song and cover

[@vrenan99]

Awesome, as usual

[@paolandicho5993]

As usual,a great cover from mattiboo!Keep up the good work and more power to your channel! I love the Beatles!

[@mattiboo]

Thank you, Pao!

[@deview123]

Wow, that was so great. I love the sound of a rickenbacker guitar. I have a Hofner 1964 500/1 violin bass, a Gretch electromagnetic copy of the white falcon and a Rickenbacker 4003 fireglo stereo bass. Love them all.

[@mattiboo]

Cool collection! Rickenbackers have some of the most unique sounds, don't they!

[@deview123]

mattiboo yes they do. I always enjoyed Chris Squire from the group Yes.

[@vladimirblade.r]

Let it Be

[@Gustavo-bi4hv]

This channel is a hiddem gem. You're so talanted, bro! Amazing.

[@milonepablo]

i love that song is a wonderfull cover thank you

[@moistnugget1178]

really good keep it up, you’ve got the best Beatles covers on KZbin

[@roome6630]

I've been waiting for your video

[@TheBeatleguy10]

Would definitely like to hear a cover of Real Love!

[@abatista78]

Hi Mattiboo! A challenge for you: 12 Bar Original (guitars), I’m Only Sleeping (acoustic and reverse guitars), It’s All Too Much (guitars), Strawberry Fields Forever (all guitars, exclude Mellotron slide). Congratulations mate. Your beatle guitar work is very fine. All the best. Adriano from Irati-Brazil.

[@beatlesguitarcovers2296]

Thanks! Watching this was helpful indeed! Thanks a lot for putting much effort into this!

[@dlennonp]

Glad to see another cover! Keep up the great work mattiboo!

[@Smoke_dragon]

Your my favorite KZbind thank you so much for the great beatle content love the guitars

[@Willlbone]

yeah dude, do a cover of rain

[@cathanmccann1769]

Yeah I Agree with you

[@shoemymymymy5228]

Full band cover would be great

[@allexaty5768]

love your videos :)

[@DansandoaTV]

Awesome!

[@daycoroyals6069]

Can you do "The End"? I think it would be great to hear you pull off those solos!

[@TELEthruVOXx]

Loving ur channel

[@justinsimmonds9670]

allways inspired me

[@MountSellout77]

As always, great job! It sounds like I'm listening to the real record! Your covers are the best! By the way, one quick question. Have you ever thought about getting another Gretsch guitar like the Country Gentleman or Tennessee Rose? Or maybe even a Duo Jet to cover some stuff from Please Please Me? Just wondering. Once again fantastic job!

[@mattiboo]

I haven't thought that really, as the Gretsch G5120 is a fantastic guitar. I get all of the tones I want out of it and don't really see the need to have another Gretsch.

[@TheCrusader1000]

Wow spot on lad. All the best from Liverpool kidda

[@angelheadedhipster2214]

Fantastic as usual mate. UK

[@alexisjeanne1293]

I absolutely love your playing!! Ever thought of covering Queen? If you don’t mind me asking, how do you learn the songs just like the studio recording? Do you use any kind of chord book or website? I’ve been looking for tutorials and tabs and so on that sound like the original but can’t find any. Thx

[@mattiboo]

By listening to the studio recording! No chord books or websites, it's all done through listening and replicating on the guitar.

[@alexisjeanne1293]

mattiboo Wow! That’s very impressive, thanks!

[@No55442]

Very good

[@_swedishmeatballs_8412]

One of the best

[@ryanbeckett9077]

Can you do “In My Life”

[@austinsmith2796]

Love it like always my man! Keep up the great work. Let me know about that custom pedal too!

[@gavinkattar9208]

Mattiboo it sounds great I always like watching your covers. What are planning on getting for your next guitar. I think you should get a Country Gentlemen to get that great, clean authentic sound.

[@Ahmad96Alexander]

Mantap soul. This truly makes my morning

[@mattiboo]

I am very glad to hear that!

[@daycoroyals6069]

You should do The End, that would be great to hear you pull off those killer solos!

[@destinyagent8166]

Hey, I have a small question for you. What are some of the shops where you buy your clothes? I mean, they’re so awesome! Especially the shirt on Money and I Want To hold Your Hand is mindblowing. Also, great guitar playing as always!

[@mattiboo]

Thank you! My clothes are from many stores, including Pretty Green, Atom Retro, Steinmart, Marshalls, etc. The shirt you mentioned is a Perry Ellis.

[@kogen800]

fantastic!!

[@dlennonp]

Great video! Can you do Paperback Writer?

[@gdawg1585]

You should have wore the Shea Stadium jacket great cover tho!

[@mistermoonlight1719]

Excellent!! But hey.. I'm looking forward to the "pepper tone" if you're still planning on making some. (: all the best man, love the covers.

[@TheCrazyGeeksYT]

wow yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees welcome back matiboo :)

[@huersads1482]

Play "A taste of honey" and "there's a place" by The Beatles, please.

[@nelsonpaezmontz3152]

Can you do Helter Skelter

[@IzzyTush]

Very good job !

[@miguelangelherrerasantilla1609]

excellent sound!

[@kevinsilva8381]

Thank you can you do Helter Skelter

[@davidwiggins8377]

Will you ever do a review or something of the ul730 pedal you made

[@tommasomanfredi94]

What program do you use?

[@fernandofranca3921]

GREAT VIDEO!

[@JakubRoszczyk]

Great cover! Sounds so good :)

[@tonjametanoia]

Great

[@twobear6155]

very good. envy your guitar collection

[@dustel22]

Deberias de hacer tutoriales;)

[@elijah.rb71]

I love your videos! Do you think you could do cover of I’m Only Sleeping or I Want To Tell You? If you could that would be amazing. Also where do you get your shirts because they’re awesome😂

[@austinelijah]

You should put vocals in all of you Beatles covers. It would sound so good

[@kevingreenberg4281]

Your incredible! Is there a chance you'd ever do The Long and Winding Road? Thats probably one of my favorites

[@ackermannnikodemus9779]

Well done 👍

[@stevenadams1795]

Hey mate! Did Lennon and Harrison use flat wounds on their J160Es?

[@gamerbrosnx5639]

The Beatles - Rain cover please

[@babysmurf3160]

Can you do more with the rickenbacker 325c58?!

[@janjancsd]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@utub1473]

Please do And I Love Her!

[@TurboGibby-bh8bu]

What are the guitars you have?

[@bent1386]

Hey mattiboo can you play the lead guitar for twist and shout

[@black_monarch]

Could you tell me please, what strings have you on Rick 325с64 ,namely their the thickness of the?

[@mattiboo]

I have not put my own strings on the RIc 325C64, but I can tell that they are not the 13 gauge heavy strings. They feel mostly like 10s.

[@mrmidget44698]

PLEASE DO RAIN. Just discovered your channel and watched every video. Please do rain

[@lewisbons2503]

can you do I've just seen a face or I'll be back?

[@timbird4652]

Can you please make a cover of: Revolution 1 from the white album?!

[@justfelix6171]

I think probably the most interesting thing to see you decipher is either Rain or Paperback Writer...I've tried but there's alot in there. I'd like to see you give it a try please.

[@juke699]

Really liked your cover with the low background recording, allows your playing to stand out...

[@mattiboo]

I'm glad you like that! My mixes attempt to highlight the guitars, allowing John's and George's nuances to be heard.

[@Numero-ob8ux]

the best

[@GTAV-rw4dt]

Hi mattiboo i love your channel

[@ladyretro]

Great Matti!

[@beatleboy71]

What kind and gauge of strings you using on the J160e? Nickel? Bronze?

[@utub1473]

How do you record your videos? I really want to do bass covers, but I want to record them the same way you do as it works just great! Could you tell me?

[@aidenemerson8545]

Hi, I was wondering what strings you use on your J-160e? it sounds just like what lennon's always did!

[@ater508]

How are you doing it, that UMG isn't blocking your films?

[@behthellama2380]

Hey if you don’t mind me asking where can I get this and how much the j-160

[@c.h.s9022]

Hey Matt, out of all of the guitars you have, do you have a favorite? In terms of look, sound, or playability? Still love your vids.

[@mattiboo]

My 1989 MIJ Fender Stratocaster has been my go-to for the past few years. I love the wide range of sounds it can get with the 5 way switch and its neck feels the most comfortable to me (perhaps because I play it so much!). Recently, though, I have been enjoying the sunburst Casino Elitist for the woody overdrive sounds it achieves.

[@c.h.s9022]

Thanks. I don’t play guitar, yet, but i also like the Strat’s design and tone range, from listening to it. Your Casinos (both sunburst and sanded) have a unique sound i find cool. I also like the Rikenbacker 312 bright, jangly sound.

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

Ha, this was posted on my birthday

[@kokozz2754]

Please, make You've Got to Hide Your Love Away cover!

[@coZyLos]

What strings do you use for the J? And how do you achieve that "jangly" tone in John's guitar?

[@oscaralho6288]

I Love you, i love your chanel