"I've got blisters on my fingers!": Who said it?

Many people believe that Ringo is the one who exclaims those immortal words at the end of "Helter Skelter". Can't recall where, when, or from whom... but, I know I've had to argue against this theory on more than one occasion. So, I figured I'd take it up with all of you to see what you think.

I do not agree with the claim that it is Ringo's voice we hear. No, it is John that we hear at the end of "Helter Skleter". I submit the following items of "key evidence" to back my thoery:

1.) Ringo generally would not have had a vocal mic set-up during "Helter Skelter". The three primary vocalists - Paul, John and George - would have been the only ones up at a mic.

2.) I play guitar AND drums... and you don't get blisters from playing the drums. On the other hand, those steel guitar strings will do a number on your fingers regardless of how seasoned a player you may be.

3.) Immediately following the exclamation, we hear some guitar strings being struck. To my trained ear, they sound a lot like they're coming from John's hollow-bodied Epiphone Casino.

4.) The most telling item of evidence: It simply sounds more like John(!). Particularly the words, "my fingers!"

Thoughts? Additional "clues"? Contradictions?

I think its Ringo

It sounds like Ringo

Ringo's even said a few times it was Ringo.

For a long time I thought it was Ringo, but now I'm pretty sure it was John.

... God bless him, must have been drunk at the time he claimed to be the one who said it.

It was definitely Ringo.

John had been playing guitar for at least 10 years when the White Album was recorded. By that time his fingers would have calloused up up hard due to the many, many concerts and gigs they performed throughout 1963-1966.

Ringo would have had a mic set up - he must have had one during the recording of Don't Pass Me By. I'm sure I've seen a vocal mic hanging over his kit in photos and in the LIB movie.

Plus it sounds really, really like him.

I've been playing the guitar for over 20 years, and my fingers still get chewed up pretty good when playing for extended periods of time.

If "Helter Skelter" went on and on for as long as it ellegedly did, then John's fingers would certainly have been pretty chewed.

This is one of those Beatle puzzles. But, I am sticking to my "John" theory for the reasons I listed.

Seems these folks can't agree, either:
http://www.soundopinions.net/forum/l...php/t1864.html

http://www.wavsource.com/snds_2005-1...s/blisters.wav

From Storytellers:
GUY IN AUDIENCE: "At the end of 'Helter Skelter,' was it you or John who said 'I've got blisters on my fingers'?"
RINGO: "It was me." (crowd cheers) "I'VE GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!!"

It always sounded like John to me.

The real question, of course, is who said "she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah," at the end of "All You Need is Love."

Paul sang the first bit, then John joined in for the second part when the camera started zooming in on him.

I always thought it was Paul for the longest time...

But, it's John. You can even see him singing it in the footage.

I've been playing drums in rock groups for about 10 years now, and my hands and fingers can get tore up if i'm really jamming hard. Helter Skelter sounds like the kind of song that would tear my hands up from extended play. I think it's Ringo.

I've known it was Ringo for many years. In fact I even heard Ringo say that it was him from some other source too. It wasn't the source that was posted here, but it was some where else. I think maybe I heard it from The Beatles Anthology documentary somewhere?

Originally Posted by 62hofner

I always thought it was Paul for the longest time...

But, it's John. You can even see him singing it in the footage.

It's John.... no denying that amazing voice!


As for the Ringo question.... originally I thought it was john but it's Ringo.....and I'll use the same reasoning.... no denying that voice

Growing up I always thought it was Ringo, but now I believe it's John.

It's Ringo on Helter Skelter. You can so tell.

And on All You Need is Love, it's Paul and John.

John! John! John! John! (while stamping feet).

LOL!

I was kidding, guys. Everyone knows it was George on both.

Ringo confirmed