Bad Boy: Introduction

“Bad Boy” is a song that The Beatles covered and is on their 1966 album “A Collection of Beatles Oldies.” However, the song appears on their 1988 album, “Past Masters,” too.

In Detail

• Recorded: May 10, 1965
• Release Date: December 10, 1966 (UK) and June 15, 1965 (US)
• Studio: Abbey Road, London, England
• Genre: Rock and roll
• Track Duration: 2:21
• Record Label: Parlophone, Capitol, Apple
• Songwriter: Larry Williams
• Producer: George Martin
• Engineer: Norman Smith

Performers And Instruments

• John Lennon: lead vocals, rhythm guitar, also the organ
• Paul McCartney: bass, as well as the electric piano
• George Harrison: double-tracked lead guitar
• Ringo Starr: drums, also the tambourine

Where To Find “Bad Boy”

You can still buy the song on the following albums:

Bad Boy: Background

Written and recorded by Larry Williams, “Bad Boy” became a single release together with the flip side “She Said Yeah.” Although the song never got into the top 40.

The Beatles covered “Bad Boy,” but not the flip side. However, The Rolling Stones and The Animals did. But it’s clear that Paul McCartney wanted to.

“Me and John [Lennon] particularly loved Larry Williams…Bony Moronie…John did ‘Slow Down’…I was always going to do ‘She Said Yeah'”.

Paul McCartney
Run Devil Run (1999 album notes)

“Bad Boy”, together with “Slow Down” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy,” are are all Larry Williams’ songs which the Fab Four recorded. The Beatles would often sing cover songs as part of their live act in the early 1960s and this song was no exception. The Beatles’ rock and roll version is also more upbeat than the offering from Larry Williams.

Bad Boy: Recording Studio

The Beatles began recording “Bad Boy” on May 10, 1965, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 8.00 p.m.–11.30 p.m. session. The band recorded 4 takes that day, with take 4 becoming the master rhythm track suitable for overdubbing. On the same day, they also recorded 7 takes of “Dizzy Miss Lizzy.”

The original idea was to release “Bad Boy” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” to the North American market only, but that didn’t quite work out. This is because, in the UK, to help plug the gap over the Christmas period in 1966, it became a part of the compilation album “A Collection of Beatles Oldies.”

This was 19 months after recording the song. Of course, “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” became part of the 1965 album “Help!“

On the 1966 album “A Collection of Beatles Oldies,” “Bad Boy” sits on side 2 after track 1, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and before “Day Tripper.” Meanwhile, on the 1988 album “Past Masters,” it sits on disc 1 after track 15, “She’s A Woman,” and before “Yes It Is.”

Take A Listen

Once you listen to the song, please give us your thoughts below.