the Concert for George in November 2002. Its inclusion provided a rare departure from the concert's program of the best-known songs from Harrison's career as a Beatle and a solo artist. Petty and his band played the song in a style that Ian Inglis recognises as typical of the Byrds, whose initial sound was inspired by the Beatles, particularly Harrison's use of 12-string Rickenbacker guitar. Inglis describes Petty's interpretation as "an uncannily accurate reconstruction" of the Byrds' mid-1960s style, with a "clipped vocal delivery" reminiscent of Roger McGuinn, harmony singing, "chiming" guitars, and a slower tempo than on the Beatles' recording. Former Journey vocalist Steve Perry covered "I Need You" on his 2018 album Traces. Perry said that the Beatles had recorded a bossa nova-like version but had not done justice to the song, which deserved to be "a bigger sort of R&B pocket thing". He recalled that he sought approval from Olivia Harrison, Harrison's widow, before releasing his interpretation and was relieved when she told him, "George would have loved this version." Personnel George Martin kept notes during the session that documented the unusual arrangement, which was: George Harrison – double-tracked lead vocal, classical guitar, twelve-string lead guitar John Lennon – harmony vocal, snare drum Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass guitar Ringo Starr – acoustic guitar percussion, cowbell Notes References Sources External links Full lyrics for the song at the Beatles' official website BFI photos from the location filming for Help! Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' performance of "I Need You" at the Concert for George, November 2002 1965 songs The Beatles songs Songs written by George Harrison Song recordings produced by George Martin Songs published by Northern Songs Tom Petty songs