Chains (Cookies song)
| "Chains" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Cookies | |
| from the album Chains | |
| Released | November 1962 |
| Format | 7" single |
| Genre | |
| Writer(s) | Gerry Goffin/Carole King |
| "Chains" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Chains" is a song composed by the husband-and-wife songwriting team Gerry Goffin and Carole King and originally recorded (but not released by) The Everly Brothers. In 1962 it was a hit for Little Eva’s backing singers, The Cookies (#17 U.S. Pop, #7 R&B),[1] and later covered by English rock group The Beatles.
Contents
The Beatles' version
The single by the Cookies was a popular cover song for Liverpool bands after its release in November 1962,[2] and was included briefly in the Beatles' live sets.[3] They recorded it on February 11, 1963 in four takes (the first having proven to be the best)[4] for inclusion on their British debut, Please Please Me.[5] Lennon played the introduction on harmonica.[4] Music critic Ian MacDonald criticized the Beatles' performance, writing that it was "slightly out-of-tune" and "lacked spontaneity."[3] George Harrison sings the lead vocal on the Beatles' version; and, as the fourth track from the group's first album, it represents the first time many fans heard Harrison singing lead on a commercially released song.
They played the song live on a number of BBC radio shows, including Side by Side, Here We Go and Pop Go the Beatles (though none of these performances were included on the 1994 compilation Luve x3& Luve Simple at the BBC, it was eventually released on the 2013 compilation On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2).[2]
Personnel
Cookies' version
- Earl-Jean McCrea - lead vocals
- Margaret Ross - backing vocals
- Dorothy Jones - backing vocals
- Eva Boyd - backing vocals
Beatles' version
- George Harrison – lead vocals, lead guitar
- John Lennon – rhythm guitar, harmonica, harmony vocals
- Paul McCartney – bass, harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr – drums
Engineered by Norman Smith
Notes
References
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