#66: I Don't Want To Spoil The Party

Written by: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Released: December 4, 1964
Appears on: Beatles For Sale
Lead vocal: John 


"I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" is like the reject of the opening trilogy of Beatles For Sale. It's a song about rejection, much like the first three songs on the record, but this time, it's in public and at a party. I always think that when something like that happens it public, it's more embarrassing. 
This song reflects that. 
The reason why it's placed so far removed from those songs, too, is pretty obvious. Could you imagine a Beatles record opening with four straight songs about rejection? Thankfully, the Beatles and George Martin were smart enough not to have us sit through that. (Not that it would be torture of course...I think we all agree that if the Beatles released a song of two-minutes of coughing, the Beatles would be coughing better than anyone else.)
Anyway, I like "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party", especially John's really subdued vocal. I mean, he just sounds disappointed. There's also a great harmony vocal by Paul. 
Also, as John's last song, this really represents the end of John's dominance as 'head' songwriter. From now on, Paul's contributions will be as important as - and as many as - John's. 


In the US, Capitol held the song back for Beatles VI and was first used as the B-Side to "Eight Days A Week" in the US.