Boys

Boys

Written by: Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell
Recorded: February 11, 1963 (Studio 2, Abbey Road Studios, London, England)
Mixed: February 25, 1963
Length: 2:24
Takes: 1
Musicians: John Lennon: backing vocal, rhythm guitar (1958 Rickenbacker 325)
Paul McCartney: backing vocal, bass guitar (1961 Hofner 500/1)
George Harrison: backing vocal, lead guitar (1957 Gretsch Duo Jet G6128T)
Ringo Starr: lead vocal, drums (1960 Premier kit)
Available on: (CDs in bold)

• Please Please Me, (UK: Parlophone PMC 1202, PCS 3042, Parlophone CDP7 46435-2p, US: Capitol CLJ 46435)
• Introducing The Beatles, (US: VeeJay VJLP 1062)
• The Early Beatles, (US: Capitol (S)T 2309), Capitol CDP 0946 3 57498 2 3}

History:

• A favorite of Merseybeat bands, this early girl group classic was originally released as the b-side of the Shirelles' 1960 single "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" (Scepter 1211). It was included in the band's set all the way back to their Cavern Club days as an excuse to get the drummer, then heartthrob Pete Best, to sing a number; when Ringo took over drums seven months before the recording of Please Please Me, it became his anthem. It remains the first Beatles song to feature his vocal.
• This was cut in one take during the "evening session" on February 11, 1963, just after the completion of "Anna (Go To Him)" and just before work began on "Chains."
• Although the song was originally sung by a girl group about the power in a boy's kiss, the Beatles cleverly turned it around so that the lyrics celebrated his girl's reaction to his lips. (In Ringo's old band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, the song would sometimes be sung as a duet between Ringo and future Brian Epstein client Cilla Black.)

Live versions: August 21st, 1964 (Seattle Coliseum, Seattle, WA), August 22, 1964 (Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC), August 23, 1964 (Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA), September 2, 1964 (Convention Hall, Philadelphia, PA), September 3, 1964 (State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, IN)
BBC radio versions: 7 (for the BBC radio programs Saturday Club, From Us To You, Side By Side, and Pop Goes The Beatles)