“Besame Mucho” is an early cover version played by The Beatles before they had a record deal. It was captured twice in 1962: at the Decca Records audition on 1 January 1962, and again at EMI Studios on on 6 June 1962. Both recordings feature Pete Best on drums.
The officially released version (on Anthology 1) is the 6 June 1962 EMI recording. The Decca audition performance of “Besame Mucho” remains officially unreleased.
Key Facts
- Decca Audition Recording: 1 January 1962 (unreleased)
- EMI Artist Test Recording: 6 June 1962 (released)
- Studio (Released Version): Studio Two, EMI Studios (Abbey Road), London
- Release Date (Anthology 1): 20 November 1995
- Songwriters: Consuelo Velazquez (music), Sunny Skylar (English lyrics)
- Producers (Released Version): Ron Richards, George Martin
- Engineer (Released Version): Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
- John Lennon: rhythm guitar
- George Harrison: lead guitar
- Pete Best: drums
Where To Find This Track
The officially released studio recording is on the following album:
Besame Mucho: Background And Meaning
“Besame Mucho” is a romantic bolero written by Mexican songwriter and pianist Consuelo Velazquez and published in 1940. The title translates as “kiss me a lot”. The song became an international standard and has been recorded across pop, jazz, and Latin music for decades. Sunny Skylar later wrote English lyrics for many recordings, which helped the song reach far beyond Spanish-language audiences.
Why The Beatles Played It
In the pre-fame years, The Beatles’ live sets in Hamburg and Liverpool relied heavily on covers: rock and roll, R&B, girl-group hits, and older standards that worked in clubs. “Besame Mucho” stood out because it let them do something different on stage: a dramatic melody, a clear lead vocal for Paul, and a chance to inject humour and personality into a familiar tune.
The Beatles also seem to have taken cues from the Coasters’ 1960 version of “Besame Mucho”. The official Anthology notes describe the song as a stage favourite and point to the Coasters’ influence, especially the Part 2 B-side, while noting the Beatles’ own added “cha-cha-boom!” touches.
Decca Audition Recording
On 1 January 1962, The Beatles travelled to Decca Studios in West Hampstead, London, and recorded a full audition set. “Besame Mucho” was one of the songs performed that day, with Pete Best on drums. Decca ultimately passed on signing the group, choosing other acts instead. The Decca audition performance of “Besame Mucho” has circulated unofficially for decades, but it has never received an official release.
EMI Artist Test Recording
On 6 June 1962, The Beatles recorded “Besame Mucho” again during their first session at EMI Studios (Abbey Road). This was an “artist test” session, and it produced four recordings: “Besame Mucho”, “Love Me Do”, “P.S. I Love You”, and “Ask Me Why“. The producers were Ron Richards and George Martin, with Norman Smith engineering.
Anthology 1 (1995) officially released this EMI recording. This take also stands as a key official audio document featuring Pete Best, and the band replaced him with Ringo Starr in August 1962, just weeks after the session.
That makes “Besame Mucho” one of the few officially released recordings by the Beatles’ pre-Ringo line-up, which gives it extra historical value beyond the song itself.
Later Appearance In 1969
The song resurfaced on 29 January 1969 during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions, as the band ran through old favourites and stage standards between takes. A brief performance also appears in the 1970 film Let It Be.
Take A Listen
Try the song out, then join the discussion in the Beatles Forum.
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Sources And References
- The Beatles – Official song page and release details.
- The Beatles – Anthology notes on the song’s stage life and Coasters influence.
- The Paul McCartney Project – Decca audition session context.
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