Welcome to the HouseoftheHits.com Original Presentation • THE BEATLES: Under The Influence – Part 4
- The final set of 6 of the 24 original versions of songs by American artists, and the 6 cover versions officially recorded by The Beatles.
- Each original song is paired with the corresponding Beatles cover version.
- Part 4 contains one bonus track, for a total of 13 songs.
- 58 songs in the 4-part presentation!
- Links to Parts 1, 2 & 3 are found at the bottom, just before the credits.
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What ‘Officially Recorded’ means: The Beatles recorded 12 commercial studio albums, 17 non-album singles and 13 EP’s (Extended Players) for their UK parent record label Parlophone. The cover versions presented here are among those releases. Studio outtakes, studio bootleg versions, live performances, live performance bootleg versions, etc. are excluded.
What ‘Original’ means: Usually, it means the first recorded version of the song – but not necessarily. Some of their cover recordings are not of the true original. Rather, it’s the first version of the record The Beatles heard, learned and performed live, and ultimately recorded.
Note: Part 4 includes one true original recording.
What ‘Under The Influence’ means: First, it’s the title of a long-out-of-print import CD I’ve had for over 20 years – and which sparked the idea for this presentation.
In the CD booklet’s liner notes, Roy Carr of the UK music publication Vox, further explains –
“In their formative days it was not uncommon for practically every working (UK) group to establish their reputation as crowd-pullers, not so much for their own songs (often the low point of most acts) but in their ability to scout obscure U.S. material and personalize it to the point where certain songs then became synonymous with the groups who’d covered them.”
And during their formative period, The Beatles were no exception, with a long list of American Top 40 rock’n’roll songs and adult standards in their live performance repertoire.
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Here’s some great insight into the manner in which their manager, Brian Epstein and the group often found American records to record, from George Harrison in Beatles Anthology –
“Brian had a policy of buying at least one copy of every record that was released (for his NEMS record shop). If it sold, he’d order another one, or five or whatever. Consequently he had records that weren’t hits in Britain, weren’t even hits in America. Before going to a gig we’d meet in the record store, after it had shut, and we’d search the racks like ferrets to see what new ones were there… Devil In His Heart by The Donays and Barrett Strong‘s Money were records that we’d picked up and played in the shop and thought were interesting.”
Ultimately, they, Epstein and producer George Martin decided upon 24 songs – all from ‘across the pond’ in origin – which they considered strong enough performances by them to record.
Also, good material was needed to supplement the limited number of polished self-compositions available for inclusion on their first four 14-track Parlophone albums.
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If you’re of an age whereby you remember the concurrent phenomena of Beatlemania and the British Invasion, then I’m quite certain all two dozen Fab Four cover versions are quite familiar to you.
However, several of the originals are perhaps not as well known.
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Song Presentation: Arranged alphabetically, and all are in crystal clear HD audio.
Dates: Directly above every song’s player are the dates on which the album, EP or single was released, and correspond with the accompanying sleeve graphics. Both are chronologically arranged from left to right.
Mono/Stereo: If the original version is in mono, the corresponding Beatles cover recording will also be mono – ditto for stereo.
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THE PERTINENT ALBUMS
[By Record Label]
Please Please Me
With The Beatles
Long Tall Sally
[4-Track EP]
Beatles For Sale
Meet The Beatles!
The Beatles’ Second Album
Something New
Beatles VI
Beatlemania! With The Beatles
[Mono Only]
Twist And Shout
[Mono Only]
Something New
Beatles VI
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[Note] Some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices.
A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be needed for optimal enjoyment.
THE SONGS
[In Alphabetical Order]
ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
Chuck Berry and his Combo
[Mono]
Actually, I’d like to thank Chuck for showing up today for the gig here at HouseoftheHits … and for not quibbling over performing for free! 😎
May.1956
http://youtu.be/YepNK-iwCFU
[REPLAY]
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ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
The Beatles
[Mono]
The Beatles covered Chuck Berry’s records more than any other artist, in both live performances and recordings, between 1957 and 1966. On this one, George Harrison shows he could rock out with the best of them, with near-perfect double-tracking on his vocals, and outstanding work on the axe!
Nov.22.63 [UK] • Nov.25.63 [CA] • Apr.10.64 [US]
http://youtu.be/IoqAzgqz35A
[REPLAY]
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SLOW DOWN
Larry Williams
(B-side of Dizzy, Miss Lizzy)
[Mono]
NO slowing down on this one – either by Larry or The FF …. pure American rock’n’roll at its very best! The Beatles’ cover version of the single’s A-side, Dizzy, Miss Lizzy, is heard in Part 2.
Mar.1958
http://youtu.be/KCpdS0u9Un4
[REPLAY]
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SLOW DOWN
The Beatles
[Mono]
This cover of Larry’s original reminds me of the stereo LP version of the title track from their first album, Please Please Me, which includes a couple of vocal fluffs. Here, on Slow Down, it’s most apparent during the line “But now you’ve got a boyfriend down the street”)
Despite that, of all the Beatles’ covers on which John Lennon sings lead (and as you’re seeing, they’re numerous), many believe Twist And Shout is his finest performance. But for me, from its sheer energy alone, this one’s right up there. Outstanding rock’n’roll!
Jun.19.64 [UK][EP] • Jul.20.64 [US][CA]
http://youtu.be/sXLJTcFdnGo
[REPLAY]
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TILL THERE WAS YOU
Peggy Lee
(Cover Version)
[Stereo]
Not the true original. Several versions preceded it – and I have them all. But, do you really want to hear the first version by Eileen Wilson from 1950? Or later covers by Nelson Riddle w/ Sue Raney from 1957? Maybe Anita Bryant‘s 1959 cover? I think we’ll pass on all of them, except for this minor cover hit in the UK by American Peggy Lee in 1961 – the version covered by the Fab Four.
Mar.1961
http://youtu.be/0GfAGL0QxHI
[REPLAY]
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TILL THERE WAS YOU
The Beatles
[Stereo]
Paul McCartney recounts why he and the boys chose to record Till There Was You –
“I had an elder cousin, Elizabeth Danher, now Robbins. She was quite an influence on me … Betty would play me records like Peggy Lee’s Fever. Peggy Lee did Till There Was You as well. I didn’t know that was from the musical The Music Man until many years later. This led me to songs like A Taste Of Honey and things which were slightly to the left and the right of rock’n’roll.”
A nice ballad from Macca, but I’ve always favored the songs on which he rocks! – I Saw Her Standing There, All My Loving, Long Tall Sally, I’m Down, etc.
Nov.22.63 [UK] • Nov.25.63 [CA] • Jan.20.64 [US]
http://youtu.be/0Frq0l7QQd0
[REPLAY]
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TWIST AND SHOUT
The Isley Brothers
(First Cover Version)
[Stereo]
Once again, not the first recording of Twist And Shout (see below), but the version covered by The Beatles.
It’s a great hit single from this trio of siblings from Cincinnati, OH – and this one’s in true stereo! Check out the funky 9-note sax riff on the left channel. It’s first introduced during the horn section’s mid-song bridge, and then heard throughout to the end.
Jun.1962
http://youtu.be/3cBwSW71TKk
[REPLAY]
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TWIST AND SHOUT
The Beatles
[Stereo]
You likely know the story about John Lennon recording the entire vocal track in just two takes!
Beatles producer George Martin relates the circumstances in The Beatles Anthology –
“I knew that Twist And Shout was a real larynx-tearer and I said, ‘We’re not going to record that until the very end of the day, because if we record it early on, you’re not going to have any voice left.’ So that was the last thing we did that night. We did two takes, and after that John didn’t have any voice left at all. It was good enough for the record, and it needed that linen-ripping sound.”
And I believe it – John IS ripping out his vocal chords. Off the charts!
Mar.22.63 [UK] • Jan.10.64 [US] • Feb.3.64 [CA]
http://youtu.be/kMFjX-JlY40
[REPLAY]
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TWIST AND SHOUT
The Top Notes
(Original Version)
[Mono]
The true original recording of Twist And Shout – and another rarity from the HouseoftheHits.com vault.
This Philadelphia rhythm and blues combo had been together 11 years prior to recording Twist And Shout, and, it’s an obscure song from the early resume of work from famed record producer, “Mr. Wall Of Sound,” Phil Spector .
This is a GREAT rock’n’roll record! And the wailing sax is outstanding in this version also – the guy’s blowing his lips right off his face!
1961
https://youtu.be/-7rurZqTLO8
[REPLAY]
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WORDS OF LOVE
Buddy Holly
[Mono]
I could listen to Charles Hardin Holley all day!
Jun.1957
http://youtu.be/S5ofcZKPGO0
[REPLAY]
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WORDS OF LOVE
The Beatles
[Mono]
The band took their name directly from Buddy’s back-up band’s name, The Crickets. First considered was Beetles, then Beatals, finally settling on Beatles because it contained the word “beat.” Consequently, they became The Silver Beatles for their first tour in Hamburg, Germany. After returning, they shortened it to just The Beatles.
In their early performing days, The Beatles did several of Buddy’s records, so I’m surprised they didn’t record more of his songs than just this one. John’s double-tracked vocal harmonies are almost haunting. He really had Buddy’s voice down.
Dec.4.64 [UK] • Jun.14.65 [US][CA]
http://youtu.be/uv6-AQ_R7M4
[REPLAY]
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YOU’VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME
The Miracles
(Extended Version)
[Stereo]
Motown original recording number three, and one of the smooth early hits from the group who’s founder/songwriter/vocalist has been called “America’s greatest living poet” – the incomparable William “Smokey” Robinson. This is a special extended version of YRGAHOM that’s :21 longer than the hit single.
Nov.1962
http://youtu.be/YTbbo5CodRY
[REPLAY]
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YOU REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME
The Beatles
[Stereo]
The Beatles became aware of You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me through imported records from America arriving in Liverpool – again, mostly at manager Brian Epstein‘s NEMS music shop. Prior to recording it, the group subtilely amended the first word of the title to “You.”
Nov.22.63 [UK] • Nov.25.63 [CA] • Apr.10.64 [US]
http://youtu.be/vMKWt_lpEfM
[REPLAY]
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And that wraps up the HouseoftheHits.com Original Presentation • THE BEATLES: Under The Influence.
4 installments, 24 American originals, 24 Beatles covers, 10 bonus tracks, 58 songs in all.
For me, these Original Presentations are labors of love, and I hope you find enjoyment from reading and listening!
And, if you’re a fan of The Beatles, there are more Original Presentations of the Fab Four in the weeks and months ahead!
RMH
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Others Installments
PART ONE
PART TWO
PART THREE
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THE BEATLES: Under The Influence – Part 4
Written by
Rick Murray Hunter
Produced by
HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Production Assistant
Tony Busbridge
Additional Production Assistance
Chris Mahan
Consultant
Dick Rosemont
Music Source
The Music Vault from
HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Research
Rick Murray Hunter
Research Assistance
Beatles Bible
Skyline Mastering
Tom Daly
Top 40 Music on CD
Pat Downey
The Originals Project
Dick Rosemont
Record Research of the
Billboard® Hot 100 (eBook Editions)
Joel Whitburn
Record Label & Sleeve Graphics
Courtesy of 45cat
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A special thanks to Sequel Records (UK) and their 1992 CD – UNDER THE INFLUENCE: The Original Versions of the Songs The BEATLES Covered (NEX CD 226). Not only was it my source for high-quality audio on the obscure titles, but also the compilation on which this presentation is based.
