| "From a Window" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas | ||||
| from the album From a Window | ||||
| B-side | "Second to None" | |||
| Released | 17 July 1964 | |||
| Recorded | 29 May 1964 Abbey Road Studios |
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| Genre | Beat music | |||
| Label | Parlophone | |||
| Writer(s) | Lennon–McCartney | |||
| Producer | George Martin | |||
| Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas singles chronology | ||||
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"From a Window" is a song written by Paul McCartney,[1] attributed to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, which was recorded by Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas. It was the sixth and final Lennon–McCartney composition that was given to Kramer.[2]
Kramer recorded the song on 29 May 1964 at Abbey Road Studios.[3] George Martin produced the session, which was attended by Lennon and McCartney.[4] McCartney can be heard at the very end of the song, harmonizing on the final word.[2]
"From a Window" was released as a UK single on 17 July 1964: its peak that August at #10 represented an abrupt drop in popularity for Kramer & the Dakotas whose previous chart history comprised four Top 5 hits, two of them #1's.[2] The follow-up to "From a Window": "It's Gotta Last Forever", fell short of the UK Top 50; the subsequent "Trains and Boats and Planes" at #12 punctuated Kramer & the Dakotas' two year UK chart career in the summer of 1965.
In the US - with "I'll Be on My Way" serving as B-side - "From a Window" reached #23 in October 1964; Kramer & the Dakotas' fourth US Top 40 hit in a five month period, it was also their last.[5]
Chad & Jeremy recorded "From a Window" in a December 1964 New York City recording session produced by Jimmie Haskell; the track was featured on the February 1965 album release Chad & Jeremy Sing For You. World Artists Records issued the track as a single that June; by then Chad & Jeremy had more current releases on Columbia Records but their version of "From a Window" received enough regional attention to register on the Billboard Hot 100 at #97.
Billy J. Kramer's version of "From a Window" was included on the 1979 compilation album The Songs Lennon and McCartney Gave Away.[6] A cover version by Graham Parker served as the title track to the 2003 album From a Window: Lost Songs of Lennon & McCartney.[7]
Recordings of "From a Window" as The Beatles may have performed it are available on the 1989 album by Bas Muys entitled Secret Songs: Lennon & McCartney[8][9] and on the 1998 release It's Four You by the Australian tribute band The Beatnix.[10][11]