The Beatles performing "I’m Down" live at Shea Stadium New York 15/8/65 "I'm Down" is a song by the Beatles written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon/McCartney) and first released as the B-side to the single "Help!" in 1965. According to critic Richie Unterberger of Allmusic, "I'm Down" is "one of the most frantic rockers in the entire Beatles catalog." The song was influenced by 1950s rhythm & blues artists and some critics see it as a rewrite of Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally", but Unterberger says there are significant differences. Another example of this style song by McCartney is 1964's "She's a Woman", the B-side of "I Feel Fine". The Beatles recorded "I'm Down" on 14 June 1965 in the same session as "Yesterday" and "I've Just Seen a Face". The Beatles recorded the backing track in seven takes. The first of these takes can be heard on Anthology 2, with a quiet organ track and no backing vocals. At the beginning of the Anthology version, McCartney says, "Let's hope this one turns out pretty darn good" in a faux American accent. During the session, particularly between takes one and two, McCartney can be heard repeating the phrase "Plastic soul, man, plastic soul". He later revealed that the phrase, which the Beatles later adapted for the title of their album Rubber Soul, was used by black musicians to describe Mick Jagger. The official release date for the "Help"/"I'm Down" single was 19 July 1965 on Capitol Records in the US and 23 July on Parlophone in the <b>...</b>