The Beatles: Co-Written Hits and Hidden Gems
In the iconic story of The Beatles, the band members collaborated closely to create some of the most beloved and timeless songs in music history. Often, these collaborations were not just between pairings, but also involved the entire band bringing unique contributions to the table. Today, we delve into some lesser-known but fascinating instances where one member wrote a song, but it was sung by another.
Secret and Little Help
Two classic examples of such instances are "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" and "With a Little Help from My Friends." Both of these songs were primarily written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney but were sung by George Harrison. "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" was a song intended for Ringo Starr, but its fluidity and charm made it a perfect fit for George, who got a chance to showcase his vocal talents.
Friendship and Songwriting
However, the spirit of cooperation was not just limited to George’s offering. Many of The Beatles' more famous songs were written as complements to Ringo's vocal performances. "Yellow Submarine" and "With a Little Help from My Friends" were both penned for Ringo, with John and Paul specifically designing them as “Ringo type of songs.” Hunter Davies, in his capacity as the Beatles' biographer, recalls the moment when they wrote "With a Little Help from My Friends," noting that they met to craft something special for Ringo.
A Hard Day’s Night
Further cementing the idea of each member of the band lending their talents, "I’m Happy Just to Dance with You" was also co-written by Lennon and McCartney for George Harrison to sing in the 1964 film "A Hard Day’s Night." The duo designed the song around a specific chord progression, making it easy to adapt to George’s style and bringing out his playful energy.
The Count: 13 More Instances
Counting the number of instances where one Beatle wrote a song for another, the tally comes to 13. Each of these instances showcases the collaborative spirit that defined The Beatles. Some notable collaborations include:
Songs from Ringo: "I'm the Greatest," "Six O'Clock," "Photograph," "Sunshine Life for Me," and "Cookin' in the Kitchen of Love". Songs from Goodnight Vienna: "Goodnight Vienna." Songs from Stop and Smell the Roses: "Grow Old with Me," "Pure Gold," "Attention," "Private Property," and "Wrack My Brain."Ringo Starr's 45 rpm single "It Don't Come Easy," originally credited only to himself, has been officially changed to include George Harrison as a co-composer, marking a 14th instance where a co-written song was recorded by a former bandmate. This change not only recognizes the true collaborative nature of the song but also adds another layer to the band’s rich history of music creation.
In conclusion, the collaborative nature of The Beatles cannot be overstated. These instances of co-written songs sung by fellow band members highlight the band’s unique ability to bring out the best in each other, leading to some of the most memorable moments in music history.