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Released in 1963

Chains

Written by Gerry Goffin • Carole King

Last updated on May 21, 2021

Album This song officially appears on the Please Please Me (Mono) LP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1963

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Other songs written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King

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.

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

See all official recordings containing “Chains”

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Chains”

Live performances

“Chains” has been played in 8 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Chains” has been played

See all concerts where “Chains” has been played

Paul McCartney writing

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