Sweet Little Sixteen: Introduction
This recording of “Sweet Little Sixteen” by The Beatles is a cover version. Of course, this was a successful Chuck Berry song that he charted in 1958. Berry’s version reached number 16 in the UK charts, while in America it got to number 2.
In Detail
- Release Date: November 30, 1994 (UK), December 5, 1994 (US)
- Recorded: July 10, 1963
- Genre: Rock and roll
- Studio/Location: Aeolian Hall, London
- BBC Radio Show: Pop Go the Beatles
- Track Duration: 2:21
- Record Label: Apple
- Songwriter: Chuck Berry
- Producer: Terry Henebery
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: vocals, also the rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: bass guitar
- George Harrison: lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find “Sweet Little Sixteen”
You can still buy this song because it is available on the following album:
Sweet Little Sixteen: Background
In short, The Beatles would regularly play cover songs of their favourite rock and roll artists on their live circuits. Even though this was a popular song, the Fab Four only ever recorded it once, on July 10, 1963. This was for their “Pop Go The Beatles” show on BBC Radio, which aired on July 23, 1963. However, there is a bootleg version from their days in the Star-Club, Hamburg, from December 1962.
The “Sweet Little Sixteen” version we get on the “Live At The BBC” album is that from the “Pop Goes The Beatles” radio show. While the lads are playing their instruments with confidence, John Lennon is singing like the rock ‘n’ roller he was. This version is near perfect, so you just have to wonder why they never did it again. In fact, it’s worth buying the album for this recording alone!
With The Beatles being hungry for success, there was no real need to continue with cover versions once they became famous.
Take A Listen
Listen to the following track in order to see how the Fab Four could try their hand at anything. The album version is far clearer, but there is another on YouTube live from the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany. How do you think the boys performed this song? Do you think they should have recorded more cover versions professionally?
