Clarabella

Song facts

From Wikipedia:

“Clarabella” is a pop song composed by Frank Pingatore and recorded by the Jodimars (a group made of former members of Bill Haley & His Comets) in 1956. Today, it is best known for being recorded by the Beatles for the radio programme “Pop Go the Beatles” on 2 July 1963, which was broadcast on the 16th of that month. It was released commercially on compact disc much later, on the 1994 compilation album Live at the BBC, although years earlier a similar rendition by Billy Preston (who would later work with the Beatles on their later recordings) was performed on a 1965 episode of Shindig!. […]

In Live At The BBC liner notes:

In the Beatles’ set list since 1960, this obscure favourite of Paul’s was originally recorded in 1956 by the Jodimars – refugees from Bill Haley’s Comets.

From The Beatles Bible:

In contrast to the slower, Elvis-style original, The Beatles’ version of Clarabella was a souped-up rocker, complete with the first recorded outing for Paul McCartney’s Little Richard impersonation.

Although it was never recorded by the group for EMI, McCartney has suggested that the song was put forward as a possible cover version. Talking about the songs recorded for the BBC, he said:

“I think we probably played them all to George [Martin] and said, ‘How about this one?’ Clarabella was one.” – Paul McCartney, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

Last updated on January 30, 2016

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