A lot of bands learn their trade by playing other people’s songs, and early on The Beatles did the same. “A Shot of Rhythm and Blues” is one of their best R&B covers from that period, powered by John Lennon’s lead vocal and the band’s tight, live-sounding swing.
It was written by Terry Thompson and first recorded by American singer Arthur Alexander. The Beatles never made a finished Abbey Road studio master of the song for a 1960s release, but they did keep it in their live repertoire and recorded it for BBC radio in 1963. The band later chose the best-known version for the official album Live at the BBC.
Key Facts
- Song type: Cover (BBC performance)
- Written by: Terry Thompson
- Original artist: Arthur Alexander (released as the B-side of “You Better Move On”)
- Official Beatles release: Live at the BBC (1994)
- Album release (UK/US): 30 November 1994 (UK) / 6 December 1994 (US)
- Approx. track length (album timing): 2:15
- Style: Rock and roll / rhythm and blues
- Label: Apple
- Lead vocal: John Lennon
- Producers (credits): Terry Henebery (BBC session) / George Martin (album producer and compiler)
- Album placement: Track 9 on the 1994 tracklist (after “Young Blood“, before “Sure to Fall (In Love With You)“)
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass guitar
- George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find “A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues”
If you want the officially released Beatles version, it appears on:
Note: this is a BBC performance, so you will also see it credited with its BBC show/broadcast details on many track listings. That matters because The Beatles never made a finished EMI studio master of “A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues” for a 1960s release. For collectors, the BBC recording is therefore the key official Beatles version.
Background: From Arthur Alexander To The Beatles
Arthur Alexander’s records were a goldmine for British beat groups, and “A Shot of Rhythm and Blues” became a staple on the Merseybeat circuit. It drives as an R&B number on blues changes, and it throws out a chorus built for a packed room: when the groove hits, you move.
The Beatles clearly loved that kind of material. Alongside this song, they also performed other Arthur Alexander favourites, including:
Paul later described how important records were to them in those years: the B-sides and lesser-known R&B tracks were part of their “currency”, and they worked those songs into their set whenever they could.
BBC Recording History
The Beatles recorded “A Shot of Rhythm and Blues” three times for BBC radio in 1963, each time with Lennon on lead vocals.
- 1 June 1963: recorded at BBC Paris Theatre, London, for Pop Go The Beatles (broadcast 18 June 1963)
- 17 July 1963: recorded for Easy Beat (a performance in front of a live audience)
- 1 August 1963: recorded at the Playhouse Theatre, Manchester, for Pop Go The Beatles (broadcast 27 August 1963) – this is the performance used on Live at the BBC
These BBC takes capture why the song suited them: it is fast, direct, and built for a band that had done its hours on stage.
Take A Listen
If you would like to discuss this track with other fans, please continue the conversation on the Beatles Forum.
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Sources And References
- The Beatles – official song page
- Wikipedia – Live At The BBC track listing
- Mark Lewisohn – session and broadcast reference
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