Notable Beatles Giveaways: Introduction
In 1979, EMI released an album called “The Songs Lennon and McCartney Gave Away.” That album has 20 songs, either written by Lennon-McCartney or individually. Therefore, we shall take a close look at other notable Beatles giveaways not included on that album.
Once you read this article, click the link above for more information about that album. It is very informative and lists 20 other songs given to others.
The comprehensive list below shows some other notable Beatles giveaways. Indeed, it shows those songs that other artists released as singles. Some were successful, but others may not have made an impact on the charts.
List of Notable Beatles Giveaways
- I Wanna Be Your Man: This Rolling Stones record gave them their first UK hit, reaching number 12 in the UK charts in 1963.
- Bad To Me: Given to Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas. It enabled that band to get their first UK number-one in 1963. The B-side was another Lennon-McCartney giveaway, “I Call Your Name.”
- Do You Want to Know a Secret: Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas took this song to number one in the UK charts in 1963. The B-side was another Beatles song, “I’ll Be On My Way.”
- I’m In Love: Given to The Fourmost, who released it as a single in 1963. It reached number 17 in the UK charts.
- A World Without Love: This is a Paul McCartney song that he gave to Peter and Gordon. In 1964, they took it to number one in numerous countries, such as the UK, the US, and Canada.
- Like Dreamers Do: Of course, The Applejacks took this Beatles song to number 20 in the UK charts in 1964.
- Sour Milk Sea: This is a George Harrison song given to Jackie Lomax, but his single never charted in the UK or US. However, it got to number 29 in Canada in 1968.
- Thingumybob: This instrumental single by The Black Dyke Mills Band didn’t make any impact in 1968. Their B-side was another Beatles giveaway, “Yellow Submarine” (also an instrumental).
- Come and Get It: This song allowed Badfinger (formerly “The Iveys”) to reach number 4 in the UK charts (1969).
- Goodbye: Of course, Mary Hopkin took this Beatles giveaway to number 2 in the UK charts in 1969. The Beatles “Get Back” prevented Hopkin from getting to number one!
It is nice to see George Harrison give a song away because, at times, it appeared that Lennon and McCartney didn’t take his work seriously enough!
Beatles Versions
The tracks above give links to the artists and their songs, but The Beatles may have recorded them as well. Therefore, we will link to the Beatle Fan Club page (this website). That is, so you can explore the Fab Four’s recordings a little more. Indeed, you can also hear it on their pages.
- I Wanna Be Your Man
- Bad To Me
- I Call Your Name
- Do You Want To Know A Secret
- I’m In Love
- I’ll Be On My Way
- Like Dreamers Do
- Sour Milk Sea
- Thingumybob
- Come And Get It
- Goodbye
- Yellow Submarine
Prolific Songwriters
In the early 1960s, when the Fab Four started out, it was a rough ride for the young starlets. However, despite the setbacks, they knew they had talent and stuck with it. Of course, we are all aware of how Decca refused them a recording contract!
Once The Beatles hit the charts, there was no going back. They became international superstars, and Beatlemania became a universal phenomenon. Furthermore, their music became complex, and they could no longer create it on stage. So, they became a studio band in 1966, preferring the more creative side.
The Beatles, in particular Paul McCartney, became prolific songwriters. Due to their contractual agreements, anything they wrote individually would normally be credited to Lennon-McCartney.
They were so prolific that there was a glut of songs available. This enabled the duo to give surplus songs to other artists. Not only that, but artists would often ask the songwriting duo to write a song for them. In the list above, it looks like Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas took full advantage of this.
Notable Beatles Giveaways: Conclusion
There is no doubt that The Beatles made a massive impact in the world of music. Indeed, without them, our world would be completely different.
The talent of Lennon and McCartney allowed other artists to benefit. Of course, we benefited from the extra dimension that those other artists gave us. So, hats off to the loveable lads from Liverpool.
Take A Listen
Finally, what are your thoughts about these Beatles giveaways? We leave you with a few of the better ones to get your teeth into.
- The Rolling Stones: “I Wanna Be Your Man”:
- Badfinger: Come And Get It: