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- Album This song officially appears on the Beatles For Sale (Mono) LP.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Aug 14, 1964
Oct 18, 1964
"Beatles for Sale" Session #11
Oct 27, 1964
"Beatles for Sale" Session #12
Nov 04, 1964
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Song facts
From Wikipedia:
“Mr. Moonlight” is a song written by Roy Lee Johnson, best known for being covered by the Beatles on the 1964 albums Beatles for Sale in the United Kingdom and Beatles ’65 in the United States.
Different versions
The first known recording of the song was by blues pianist Piano Red, recording as “Dr. Feelgood and the Interns“. It was released as a B-side of a minor rhythm & blues hit single (titled “Dr. Feelgood“) in 1962. The record became something of a cult favorite among several young British R&B enthusiasts, some of whom would soon go on to become members of well-known bands.
Another emerging beat group, The Hollies, recorded and released their own performance of the same song nearly simultaneously with the Beatles’ version. […]
The Beatles’ version
The Beatles had covered the song in their live act for years before it appeared on record. Their recording features Latin-style percussion, prominent vocal harmonies, and, unusually, an organ solo. John Lennon sings lead, with backing vocals from Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
The Beatles recorded this song two different days in 1964. The first day was August 14, where they recorded four takes (one and four of which appear on Anthology 1). They recorded again on October 18, again in four takes, the last two of which showcased McCartney on Hammond organ.
From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:
- [a] mono 27 Oct 1964.
UK: Parlophone PMC 1240 For Sale 1964.
US: Capitol T 2228 Beatles ’65 1964.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46438 2 For Sale 1987.- [b] stereo [4 Nov 1964 – Edit].
UK: Parlophone PCS 3062 For Sale 1964.
US: Capitol ST 2228 Beatles ’65 1964.[a] fades a little earlier.
Last updated on March 12, 2016
Lyrics
Mr. Moonlight!
You came to me one summer night
And from your beam you made my dream
And from the world you sent my girl
And from above you sent us love
And now she is mine, I think you're fine
'Cause we love you Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight, come again please
Here I am on my knees begging if you please
And the night you don't come my way
I pray and pray more each day
'Cause we love you Mr. Moonlight
And the night you don't come my way
Oh I pray and pray more each day
'Cause we love you Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight, come again please
Here I am on my knees begging if you please
And the night you don't come my way
Oh I pray and pray more each day
'Cause we love you Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight
Mr. Moonlight
Officially appears on
LP • Released in 1964
2:33 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 27, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1964
2:33 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 04, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1964
2:35 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 27, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1964
2:35 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 04, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1995
2:48 • Outtake • C • Takes 1 and 4. The version on Beatles For Sale was a remake, taped at EMI on 18 October, but four unreleased takes were recorded on 14 August, and a combination of One and Four is presented here. The first broke down after John's laudable attempt at the shouted introduction. "Nearly!" commented Paul, a wry smile in his voice, as he encouraged his band mate to have another crack at it. Take 4, only the second complete run-through, lacked the organ track that distinguished the October remake, but George's guitar solo in the bridge proves that experimentation with new and different sounds was now a definite quest.
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 2004
2:35 • Studio version • B2004 • Stereo • 2004 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 04, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 2004
2:35 • Studio version • A2004 • Mono • 2004 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 27, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Beatles for Sale (Mono - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:33 • Studio version • A2009 • Mono • 2009 mono remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Sean Magee :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 27, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Beatles for Sale (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:33 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 04, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 2014
2:33 • Studio version • A2009 • Mono • 2009 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Hammond organ, Harmony vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Percussion
- John Lennon :
- Acoustic rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- African drum, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Sean Magee :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 18, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Recording:
- Oct 27, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Bootlegs
Star Club - Hamburg, Germany - December 1962
Unofficial live
2:20 • Live • The recording date is a guess - all we now for certain is that the Star-Club tapes were recorded between December 18 and 31, 1962.
Beatles For Sale - Studio Sessions - Back To Basics
Unofficial album • Released in 2011
0:11 • Alternate take • Take 1 Stereo
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Beatles For Sale - Studio Sessions - Back To Basics
Unofficial album • Released in 2011
0:15 • Alternate take • Take 2 partial Stereo
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Beatles For Sale - Studio Sessions - Back To Basics
Unofficial album • Released in 2011
2:37 • Alternate take • Take 4 Mono
- Session Recording:
- Aug 14, 1964
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Live performances
“Mr. Moonlight” has been played in 1 concerts.
Latest concerts where Mr. Moonlight has been played
Chester • Riverpark Ballroom • United Kingdom
Aug 16, 1962 • Part of 1962 Liverpool Area Concerts
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