It's one of the most famous and mysterious chords in pop music history - the opening chord to A Hard Day's Night, The Beatles single released on this date in 1964. The song became #1 everywhere that had record charts at the time - UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, as did the album of the same name and the movie was both a critical and popular hit.
The song sounded different and more sophisticated than the previous Beatle songs. Here it is with its distinctive opening chord.
Figuring out what was played on that chord was a source of dispute for years. Below is a 2014 account by Randy Bachman based on his visit to Abbey Road studios where Giles Martin, son of George Martin, played the original tapes. Bachman was guitarist for The Guess Who (No Time, American Woman, These Eyes) and later Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Taking Care of Business, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet).
I really enjoy listening to Bachman's explanation because he is such a fan himself and his excitement and enthusiasm is engaging.
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