Cry For A Shadow: Introduction
“Cry For A Shadow” is a Beatles’ instrumental track that is on their 1995 album, “Anthology 1.” But when they recorded this number, their name was The Beat Brothers. This is because, at the time, they were the backing group for Tony Sheridan in Hamburg, Germany.
This track was the A-side of a UK single in 1964, but they recorded it in 1961. Obviously, this was before Ringo Starr joined the band. Although this track appears on the “Anthology 1” album, its B-side, “Why,” doesn’t.
In Detail
- Release Date: March 27, 1964 (Single) November 20, 1995 (Anthology 1)
- Recorded: June 22, 1961
- Genre: Instrumental rock
- Format: 7-inch single (A-side) (B-side being ‘”Why”‘) (UK) (B-side for North America) (also album track)
- Track Duration: 2:20
- Record Label: Polydor (Single), Apple, Capitol
- Songwriter: Harrison/Lennon
- Producer: Bert Kaempfert
Performers And Instruments**
- George Harrison: lead guitar
- John Lennon: rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: bass, yell
- Pete Best: drums
** Because this track is from 1961, Ringo Starr had not yet joined The Beatles.
Where To Find “Cry For A Shadow”
Indeed, it is possible to find the song on the following releases:
Cry For A Shadow: Background
Originally called “Beatle Bop,” “Cry For A Shadow” is one of those early Fab Four recordings that is a must for all Beatlemaniacs, or indeed any historical music collector. Another reason why collectors should have this track is because it is the first Beatles composition on a record pressing. It is also the only Beatles track to have the credit going to Harrison-Lennon.
“In Hamburg, we had to play so long; we actually used to play Apache… But John and I were just bullshitting one day, and he had this new little Rickenbacker with a funny kind of wobble bar on it. And he started playing that off, and I just came in, and we made it up right on the spot.”
George Harrison
Guitar Player Magazine (interview from 1987)
Although it was the A-side of the British single, in North America it was the B-side. This is because, across the pond, they preferred the instrumental track to be the B-side. Interest in this single only came about once The Beatles became a household name. Hence the difference between the recording date and the release date.
This instrumental rock piece is in a style similar to that of the British group The Shadows. Obviously, George Harrison and John Lennon clearly admired the then-biggest British instrumental rock & roll group, and the influence shines out.
Indeed, the guitar licks are typical of Hank Marvin (the founding member of The Shadows) at the time. There is also a resemblance to the famous Jet Harris yell in the middle eight.
With the track being an instrumental, there are no lyrics, but there are faint cries from the band members. These screams and yelps are basically wordless vocals, similar to what we see in their other instrumental from 1967, “Flying.”
Recording Studio
The Beatles recorded “Cry For A Shadow” on June 22, 1961, in the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Hamburg, Germany. At that time, they also had the name of The Beat Brothers and were the backing band for Tony Sheridan. During this recording session, they also recorded “Ain’t She Sweet.”
The Beatles were hungry for success, and they knew they had talent, but there were many hurdles to jump first. In fact, it was only when manager Brian Epstein came along that The Beatles got a mention.
“Although we did Ain’t She Sweet and the instrumental Cry For A Shadow without Sheridan, they didn’t even put our name on the record.”
George Harrison
Anthology
“Cry For A Shadow” follows track 11, “Ain’t She Sweet,” on the 1995 “Anthology 1” album, where credit goes to “The Beat Brothers.” Also on that album is what many believe is the first Beatles’ single, “My Bonnie.” This single, credited to Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers, has the B-side, “The Saints.” It was a single release in Germany in October 1961.
Take A Listen
Please leave us a comment once you hear the instrumental below.
