WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!
Welcome to day 19 of Feb Fab Faux Four. Are you having fun yet?
We’re spinning the wheel in the other direction and going back in time to another tune the Beatles covered.
Today’s number is a rockabilly song often credited to Carl Perkins; however, it been brought to light that Carl’s song is actually based on a 1936 song of the same name written by singer/songwriter Rex Griffin. Griffin’s song didn’t really go anywhere and Carl Perkins’ 1957 release achieved widespread popularity. Lucky Carl Perkins! The Beatles covered the song in 1964.
The Beatles recording was first released as the final track on “Beatles For Sale” in the United Kingdom late in ’64 and as the concluding track on the North American album “Beatles ’65”. The remake by the Beatles features a false ending which means the final musical phrase (not vocals) repeats itself after the song seems to have stopped; this false ending does not appear in the Carl Perkins version.
Here is Carl Perkins with his 1957 recording of “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”.
🪲
And from 1964, here’s “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby” by the Beatles featuring George Harrison on lead vocals. George was a life-long fan of Carl Perkins; it was a thrill for him to actually meet and perform with Carl.
There’s not a damn thing wrong with a George Harrisong!
As a diehard George fan, I love everything he ever did and believe the quality of his his solo work after the Beatles split is better than anything the other three produced. In this remake, George’s vocals were processed with the STEED effect; I doubt I’ll be able to explain this process with great clarity so I’m leaving it highlighted if you’d like to read about it.
Carl Perkin’s rockabilly recording is great but my vote goes to George and the boys.
Before I close this page out, here is a bonus track …. the original 1936 recording of Rex Griffin’s “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”. Enjoy this very unusual and different arrangement.
I’m back tomorrow with what became a huge hit for one of the Beatles during his solo career. Join me to see which song it is.
See you on the flip side. 😎
NAR©2024
PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
this is a track I never heard before, not the original, nor the beatles cover of it! It is good though, I like the way it sounds!
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Yeah, this is a real doozy … especially the original. This is the type of music you either love or hate … no two ways about it.
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I have to say, this is one of the only The Beatles recordings I never really liked! Each to their own!
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It’s a little hokey, I admit. I can name a few Beatles songs I never cared for: Maxwell’s Silver Hammer, Revolution #9, You Know My Name just to name a few.
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Beatles…Rex’s version is a real hoot though!
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I still love the Beatles version. A great post, Nancy!
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Thanks, KK. Me too!
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I love the sound of the ’36 recording 😉
However, all said and done, I’ll give this one to the Beatles.
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It’s unique; yodeling is def a lost art and most people would prob prefer it stay lost 😂
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That it is. Bah… Not I 😉
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I never realised the song was that old! Yoddle oldle dee
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Neither did I. It was a surprise to find the vid on YT.
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I like the Beatles version the best, but I’m really glad you included the Rex Griffin recording. Would have sounded great performed by the Soggy Bottom Boys!
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Hahaha and ye haw!! 😂
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The Beatles made improvements on this Carl Perkins song by adding harmonies and speeding it up slightly and that worked. Like Fandango, I didn’t listen to the Rex version, but I think he changed some of the lyrics.
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He changed a lot more than that! If you can get beyond the yodeling, you’ll see! 😂
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My vote goes to…..Rex. I think it’s a disgrace that Carl and the Beatles chickened out of yodelling 🤣
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😂 It’s a lost art
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It should be brought back. It would improve Mariah Carey’s records a lot.
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Close one, but I’ll give the edge to The Beatles on this one over Carl Perkins. As far as Rex Griffin’s recording, I stopped listening after he yodeled at the beginning.
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As is your right. I took one for the team and listened to the whole thing. 😎
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