RECORD COLLECTING MONTHLY MIX 07: The Beatles In '64
Exploring the Beatles' 1964 Output through Diverse Covers
When it comes to the Beatles, their influence spans across generations and genres. The iconic Liverpool quartet’s impact on music is immeasurable. In this edition of Record Collecting Monthly Mix we delve into a collection of Beatles tracks, from their two prominent UK releases from 1964, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Beatles For Sale’, featuring artists who brought their own flair to these timeless classics.
In 1964, the Beatles were continuing their meteoric rise to international stardom, solidifying their status as the undisputed leaders of the Cultural Revolution known as Beatlemania. The year kicked off with the historic arrival of the Fab Four in the United States in February, marking the beginning of the British Invasion. The Beatles' appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" drew an unprecedented 73 million viewers, instantly making them household names across America. As they embarked on their first world tour, the Beatles' infectious energy and catchy tunes ignited an unparalleled frenzy among fans, resulting in scenes of mass hysteria at every venue they graced.
Following their unprecedented success in the United States, the Fab Four embarked on an ambitious tour that took them to key destinations across Europe, Asia, and Oceania. From the iconic performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles to the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, the Beatles left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions, solidifying their status as not just a musical act but as cultural ambassadors shaping the zeitgeist of the 1960s. They cemented their popularity with the release of a film, “A Hard Day’s Night”, and in a very busy year, recorded an exclusive message in October to give away to their fans via their fan club at Christmas.
The year 1964 stands as a pivotal moment in the Beatles' journey, marking the beginning of a cultural phenomenon that would redefine the landscape of popular music and leave an indelible mark on the world.
1. "Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand" - The Beatles Preceding their World tour, the boys recorded outside England for the only time, when a trip to a Paris studio created the German version of ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’. Along with ‘Sie Liebe Dicht’, it showcased their ability to connect with fans around the globe.
2. "A Hard Day's Night" - Supremes Diana Ross and The Supremes bring a soulful twist to this Beatles classic, infusing it with their signature Motown sound. The Supremes' rise to fame in the 1960s mirrored the Beatlemania phenomenon.
3. "I Should Have Known Better" - Mary Wells Known as the "Queen of Motown", Mary Wells adds her own touch to this beloved track. Her journey began in a Detroit talent show, going on to becoming one of Motown's first major stars.
4. "If I Fell" - Reparata and The Delrons Known in the UK for their hit "Captain Of Your Ship," Reparata and The Delrons bring a fresh perspective to this heartfelt Beatles ballad..
5. "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" - Anne Murray The Canadian songstress Anne Murray takes on this cheerful Beatles tune, showcasing the global reach of the Fab Four's music. Murray's over 40 year career has earned her four Grammy’s and countless other awards for her undoubted talents.
6. "And I Love Her" - Julio Iglesias Latin sensation Julio Iglesias infuses romance into this Beatles classic. His journey from a professional footballer to a renowned singer mirrors the diverse backgrounds of those who found inspiration in the Beatles.
7. "Tell Me Why" - Me And Them Covering a lesser-known Beatles track, Me And Them add their own flavour to ‘Tell Me Why’, not to be confused with Van Morrison’s Them, this Barnsley based, London band released this cover in Spain and Japan in 1964 before disbanding the following year.
8. "Can't Buy Me Love" - Ella Fitzgerald The legendary jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald lends her enchanting voice to this Beatles hit. Fitzgerald's groundbreaking jazz career and the Beatles' pop pedigree create a cross-genre appeal converging in this captivating rendition.
9. "Any Time At All" - Bryan Adams Canadian rock icon Bryan Adams puts his stamp on this energetic Beatles track. Adams recorded this track for his 2014 classic covers album ‘The Tracks Of My Years’.
10. "I'll Cry Instead" - Joe Cocker Known for his soulful interpretations, Joe Cocker brings raw emotion to this Beatles song. Releasing this track as his first single in 1964, the session featured Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) on guitar.
11. "Things We Said Today" - Cliff Richard British pop legend Cliff Richard adds his flair to this contemplative Beatles track. Recorded two years after the original at Abbey Road studios, the song featured on his ‘La-La-La-La-La’ EP.
12. "When I Get Home" - The Brotherhood When Paul Revere and the Raiders split in 1968, Levin, Volk and Smith recorded this track for their second album for release the following year.
13. "You Can't Do That" - Nilsson Harry Nilsson's interpretation of this Beatles rock number showcases his versatility. Nilsson's first hit as a performer, cleverly worked in no fewer than 18 references to other Beatles songs within the multi-layered vocals of the track.
14. "I'll Be Back" - Barbara Dickson Barbara Dickson's soulful rendition adds depth to this contemplative Beatles piece. Recorded for her 2006 tribute album of Beatle’s covers ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change My World’.
15. "No Reply" - The Beatles Returning to the source, we revisit the original Beatles track. "No Reply" exemplifies the band's ability to seamlessly blend rock and folk influences, setting the stage for future generations of musicians.
16. "I'm A Loser" - Marianne Faithfull Marianne Faithfull infuses her unique style into this introspective Beatles track. Appearing as the closing track for her eponymous debut album in 1965, Faithfull released her ‘other’ debut album ‘Come My Way’, an album of Folk songs, on the same day.
17. "Baby's in Black" - The Applejacks The Applejacks recorded their version of “Baby’s In Black” for the charity album in 1965 by The Lord’s Taverners, featuring the top Decca artists of the time including The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones.
18. "Rock & Roll Music" - Chuck Berry A master of rock and roll, the Beatles paid homage to Chuck Berry with their rendition of "Rock & Roll Music". Berry's influence on the Beatles was highlighted on their ‘Beatles For Sale’ album.
19. "I'll Follow The Sun" - Judy Collins Judy Collins' gentle touch transforms this Beatles track into a folk masterpiece. Although recording covers since the early 60’s, it wasn’t until 2007 that she recorded an entire album of Beatles’ tracks, including this classic.
20. "Mr. Moonlight" - The Hollies The Hollies recording of “Mr Moonlight” came a few months before the release of The Beatles version. Another of the British Invasion bands that stormed America in the early 60s, the Hollies' success alongside the Beatles reflects the collaborative spirit of the 1960s music scene.
21. "Kansas City" - Little Richard Little Richard, a pioneer of rock and roll, adds his electrifying energy to the original version of the Beatles cover written by Lieber and Stoller. Actually a 2-song medley with “Hey Hey Hey Hey” written by Little Richard.
22. "Eight Days A Week" - Procol Harum Procol Harum's rendition adds a touch of progressive rock to this Beatles favorite. The recording featured on their 1975 release ‘Procol’s Ninth’.
23. "Words Of Love" - Buddy Holly Originally released by Doo-wop group, The Diamonds, Holly wrote this song in 1957 and it became a firm live favourite with Lennon and McCartney in their early days, but it wasn’t until 1964 that they recorded the song for their ‘Beatles For Sale’ album.
24. "Honey Don't" - Carl Perkins Written by the legendary Carl Perkins, Ringo Starr sung lead vocals on the album recording of this track shortly before the album’s release in December ’64. Starr joined Perkins on stage in 1985 to perform the song and again recreated the event in the George Harrison tribute in 2002.
25. "Every Little Thing" - Yes Prog-rock pioneers Yes take on this Beatles track, infusing it with their intricate musicality. Appearing on their debut album, it was one of just two covers on their 1969 release.
26. "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" - Rosanne Cash Rosanne Cash, daughter of country music legend Johnny Cash, brings her country roots to this Beatles classic. Her interpretation took Lennon and McCartney to the top of the US Country Chart for the only time in 1989.
27. "What You're Doing" - The Beatles Returning to the Beatles' original, "What You're Doing" represents the band's continued evolution. Not liked by McCartney himself, the song has never been performed live by him, or the band, and became “a bit if a filler” for the album, being the last recorded track for it.
28. "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" - Johnny Cash The Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash, adds a country twang to this Beatles hit. Another track written by Carl Perkins, he backed Cash on this recording from the 90s, that was eventually released on his 2003 album ‘Unearthed’.
29. "I Feel Fine" - Jose Feliciano Jose Feliciano's soulful interpretation of "I Feel Fine" showcases the universal appeal of the Beatles' music. The Beatle’s original became their 6th Number One in America’s Billboard chart in 1964 and became the 5th highest selling single of the 60s in the UK.
30. "She's A Woman" - The Beatles Returning to the Beatles' original catalogue, "She's A Woman" was the b-side to “I Feel Fine” and features the first Beatles reference to drugs in a song.
31. "Another Beatles Christmas Record" - John Paul George And Ringo Closing out our monthly mix is a festive treat from the Fab Four themselves. “Another Beatles' Christmas Record”, is filled with humour and camaraderie, and followed the first “Beatles Christmas Record” a year earlier.
In this diverse collection of Beatles-related tracks, we witness the ever-expanding impact of the Fab Four on musicians across genres and generations. Each cover, from Motown to progressive rock, pays tribute to the timeless quality of the Beatles' music and the rich tapestry of artists it has inspired. As artists continue to explore the intricacy of these iconic tunes, the Beatles' legacy remains as vibrant and influential as ever.