Yes It Is

Its subject matter runs to motifs of dialogue, plea and relationship, and the writing is confessional in manner. The clothes motif had already turned up on 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'Matchbox', 2 years before.

'Yes It Is' runs near 76 BPM in E major, and it is a ballad and pop piece end to end. The key moves from E major to A major in the chorus. Whether it was meant or not, the harmony moves F♯m7 → B7 → E → A → D, the same shape 'Honey Pie' takes as Em7 → A7 → D7 → G → C. The meter is 12/8, not the usual four.

Cut in fourteen takes at Abbey Road, with Harrison rocking a volume-tone pedal to produce the swelling, vocal-like lead guitar lines. The Hammond RT-3 was played by George Martin. They reached for the Ludwig Super Classic, Starr's own kit since 1964, and 1965 is the year he reached for it most. Double tracked vocal was used on it, as on 139 of their records. This was the 4th of the 33 songs the Beatles recorded in 1965, and the 73rd of their career.

The song is Lennon's, words and voice. George Martin produces and plays, less common for a Beatles record, with classical guitar among the instruments, which turns up on seven Beatles records in all, such as 'And I Love Her' and 'I'll Be Back'. The electric guitar here is volume-pedal swells, lead, and the backing vocals here are a three-part harmony.

The track was issued as the B-side to UK/US chart-topper Ticket to Ride, and it charted independently in the US at #46. It did not reach an American album until Beatles VI, two months later, with remaining Beatles For Sale tracks plus early Help! tracks and singles. This track was the 2nd of 33 released in 1965, and the 71st they ever made.