This Boy

This Boy

Written by: John Lennon (100%) (credited as Lennon-McCartney)
Recorded: October 17, 1963 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: October 21, 1963
Length: 2:11
Takes: 15
Musicians: John Lennon: lead vocal, rhythm guitar (Gibson 3160E)
Paul McCartney: lead vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: lead vocal, lead guitar (Gretsch 6122 "Country Gentleman")
Ringo Starr: drums (Ludwig)
First released: November 29, 1963 (b-side of "I Want To Hold Your Hand") (UK: Parlophone R5084)
Available on: (CDs in bold)

• Past Masters Volume 1, (UK: Parlophone CDP 7 90043 2, US: Capitol CDP 7 90043 2)
• Meet The Beatles, (US: Capitol (S)T 2047, CDP 7243 8 66875 2 4}
• Four By The Beatles, (US: Capitol EAP 2121}

History:

• An attempt by John to write in the style of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles -- note the rhythmic similarities to Smokey's "You Really Got A Hold On Me."
• The first song to feature lead vocals from John, Paul and George, harmonizing at once.
• It's been reported (but never confirmed) that John wrote the song about his mother, Julia, who was often physically beaten by her common-law husband, John Dykins (the "That Boy" of the title).

Live versions: October 13, 1963 (for the BBC program Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium), December 2, 1963 (for the BBC program The Morcambe and Wise Show), January 16, 1964 (Olympia Theatre, Paris, France), February 11, 1964 (Washington Coliseum, Washington, D.C), February 12, 1964 (Carnegie Hall, New York), February 16, 1964 (Deauville Hotel, Miami, FL, for broadcast on The Ed Sullivan Show), June 4, 1964 (K.B. Hallen Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark), June 12-13, 1964 (Centennial Hall, Adelaide, Australia), June 15-17, 1964 (Festival Hall, Melbourne, Australia)
BBC radio versions: 2 (for the BBC radio programs From Us To You and Saturday Club)
Trivia:

• An instrumental version of this song, renamed "Ringo's Theme (This Boy), was used during Ringo's famous "walkabout" scene in the film A Hard Day's Might (1964).

Covered by: Tom Baxter, David Bowie, Sean Lennon, George Martin, Delbert McClinton, The Nylons