Hello Little Girl: Introduction

“Hello Little Girl” is a song by The Beatles that is also on their 1995 album, “Anthology 1.” The song was also part of their Decca audition tape.

In Detail

Release Date: November 21, 1995
Recorded: January 1, 1962
Track Duration: 1:40
Studio: Decca audition tape in mono

Performers And Instruments**

John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass guitar
George Harrison: lead guitar
Pete Best: drums

** Ringo Starr was yet to join The Beatles, so the line-up includes Pete Best on drums.

Where To Find “Hello Little Girl”

You can still buy this song on the following album:

Anthology 1 (1995)

Hello Little Girl: Background

Written by John Lennon in 1957, this became his first composition, but credit goes to the songwriting partnership of Lennon and McCartney. The Beatles recorded “Hello Little Girl” on New Year’s Day in 1962 as part of their Decca audition tape. However, as we know, Decca rejected the band. Indeed, they signed Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead.

“That was actually my first song. [Singing] ‘When I see you every day, I say mmm hmm, hello little girl.’ I remember some Thirties or Forties song which was [singing] ‘You’re delightful, you’re delicious and da da da. Isn’t it a pity that you are such a scatterbrain?’ [Laughing] That always fascinated me for some reason or another. It’s also connected to my mother. It’s all very Freudian. She used to sing that one. So I made Hello Little Girl out of it.”
John Lennon
All We Are Saying, David Sheff

Of course, being a John Lennon number, they would sing this often in the late 1950s. This was when the band had the name “The Quarrymen,” long before Ringo Starr came into the band.

Hello Little Girl: The Fourmost

In 1963, the Merseybeat was in full swing, and The Beatles were progressing fast, so they had no time for this song any more. They stopped singing it at their gigs as well, so two other Merseyside groups recorded it at Abbey Road Studios. The producer for both was George Martin, of course.

Gerry & The Pacemakers recorded their version after The Fourmost. After listening to both demos, they chose The Fourmost’s version for the single release. As a result, they got to number 9 in the charts.

“Unfortunately, the words aren’t too wonderful. They’re a bit average, but the Fourmost were eager to have a hit, and they were very good friends of ours.

They were more of a comedy group, a really very funny cabaret act, and when it came to making a record and being serious on a TV show, they always laughed and giggled—they were always having such a laugh, it was very difficult for them. They just weren’t the kind of guys who were going to get a major hit. I tried a few times.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

Meanwhile, Gerry & The Pacemakers recorded Mitch Murray’s song “I Like It,” which got to number one in the charts. This was the follow-up to another of Murray’s compositions, “How Do You Do It” which also got to number one.

“Hello Little Girl” is one of those songs that The Beatles “gave away” to other performers, but there are a boatload of others.

Recording Studio

The Beatles didn’t record this song at EMI Studios, but their failed Decca audition version is now available on their 1995 album, “Anthology 1.” However, there is a bootleg available from a 1960 home demo featuring Stuart Sutcliffe on bass. But the quality is not as good as their Decca version.

Take A Listen

Finally, please leave us your opinions below.