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- Album This song officially appears on the Please Please Me (Mono) LP.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
"Please Please Me" album session #1
Feb 11, 1963
"Please Please Me" album session #3
Feb 25, 1963
Other songs written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Officially appears on Live At The BBC
Officially appears on Live At The BBC
Unreleased song
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Song facts
From Wikipedia:
“Chains” is a song composed by the Brill Building 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), and later covered by English rock group The Beatles.
The Beatles’ version
The single by the Cookies was a popular cover song for Liverpool bands after its release in November 1962, and was included briefly in the Beatles’ live sets. They recorded it on February 11, 1963 in four takes (first has been proved to be the best) for inclusion on their British debut, Please Please Me. Lennon played the introduction on harmonica. Music critic Ian MacDonald criticized the Beatles’ performance, writing that it was “slightly out-of-tune” and “lacked spontaneity.” 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 Live at the BBC, it was eventually released on the 2013 compilation On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2).
From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:
[a] mono 25 Feb 1963.
UK: Parlophone PMC 1202 Please Please Me 1963.
US: Vee Jay VJLP 1062 Introducing 1963.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46435 2 Please Please Me 1987.[b] stereo 25 Feb 1963.
UK: Parlophone PCS 3042 Please Please Me 1963.
US: Vee Jay VJSR 1062 Introducing 1963.[b1] stereo remixed from [b] 1965, by Capitol.
US: Capitol ST 2309 The Early 1965.[b2] mono made from [b] 1965, by Capitol.
UK: Capitol T 2309 The Early 1965.
Last updated on May 21, 2021
Lyrics
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains
And they ain't the kind that you can see
Whoa, oh, these chains of love got a hold on me, yeah
Chains, well I can't break away from these chains
Can't run around, 'cause I'm not free
Whoa, oh, these chains of love won't let me be, yeah
I wanna tell you, pretty baby
I think you're fine
I'd like to love you
But, darling, I'm imprisoned by these
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains
And they ain't the kind that you can see
Oh, oh, these chains of love got a hold on me
Please believe me when I tell you
Your lips are sweet
I'd like to kiss them
But I can't break away from all of these
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains
And they ain't the kind that you can see
Whoa, oh, these chains of love got a hold on me, yeah
Chains, chains of love...
Officially appears on
LP • Released in 1963
2:23 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
EP • Released in 1963
2:23 • Studio version • A
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1963
2:23 • Studio version • B • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1965
2:27 • Studio version • B2 • Mono • Mono made from [B]
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1965
2:27 • Studio version • B2 • Stereo • Stereo remixed from [B]
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
The Early Beatles (2006 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2006
2:27 • Studio version • B2.2006 • Stereo • 2006 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
The Early Beatles (2006 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2006
2:27 • Studio version • B2.2006 • Mono • 2006 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Please Please Me (Mono - 2009 remaster)
CD • Released in 2009
2:23 • Studio version • A2009 • Mono • 2009 mono remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Please Please Me (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:23 • Studio version • B2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Bass, Vocals
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Lead guitar, Vocals
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- A.B. Lincoln :
- Second engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Feb 11, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Feb 25, 1963
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 2013
2:22 • Live • L4
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Sep 17, 1963
Bootlegs
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 1
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
1:40 • Live • L1
Concert From "Here We Go" in Manchester, United Kingdom on Jan 25, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 2
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:23 • Live • L2
Concert From "Side By Side" in London, United Kingdom on May 13, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 3
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:41 • Live • L3
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Jun 25, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 7
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:35 • Live • L4
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Sep 17, 1963
Unofficial live • Released in 2015
1:38 • Live
Concert From "Here We Go" in Manchester, United Kingdom on Jan 25, 1963
Live performances
“Chains” has been played in 8 concerts.
Latest concerts where Chains has been played
Jun 25, 2012 • United Kingdom • London • Somethinelse studio • TV show
Sep 17, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Jun 25, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
May 13, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Bradford • Gaumont Cinema • United Kingdom
Feb 02, 1963 • Part of Winter 1963 Helen Shapiro Tour
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