If I Needed Someone " is a song by the English rock band the Beatles , written by George Harrison , the group 's lead guitarist . It was released in December 1965 on their album '' Rubber Soul '' , except in North America , where it appeared on the 1966 release '' Yesterday and Today '' . The song reflects the reciprocal influences shared between the Beatles and American band the Byrds . On release , it was widely considered to be Harrison 's best song to date . A recording by the Hollies was issued in Britain on the same day as '' Rubber Soul '' and peaked at number 20 on the national singles chart . Harrison wrote the song for Pattie Boyd , the English model whom he married in January 1966 . The lyrics convey an ambivalent tone , however , and have invited interpretation as a message to a casual love interest . Harrison based the song 's jangly guitar riff on a riff used by Roger McGuinn in the Byrds ' adaptation of " The Bells of Rhymney " . " If I Needed Someone " features prominent three-part harmony vocals and Rickenbacker twelve-string electric guitar – the instrument that the Byrds had adopted to replicate Harrison 's sound in the 1964 film '' A Hard Day 's Night '' . The song 's use of drone and Mixolydian harmony also reflected Harrison 's nascent interest in Indian classical music . Following its inclusion in the set list for the Beatles ' 1965 UK tour , it became the only Harrison composition performed live by the group
1965 UK tour
The Beatles' 1965 UK tour
If I Needed Someone