Dizzy Miss Lizzy

Written by Larry Williams

Album This song officially appears on the Help! (Mono) LP.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1965

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions


"Help!" Session #13

May 10, 1965



Other Larry Williams songs interpreted by McCartney


She Said Yeah

Officially appears on Run Devil Run


Slow Down

Officially appears on Long Tall Sally


Bad Boy

Officially appears on Beatles VI (Mono)


Short Fat Fanny

Unreleased song

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Song facts

From Wikipedia:

Dizzy, Miss Lizzy” is a song composed and recorded by Larry Williams in 1958. It shares many similarities with the Little Richard song “Good Golly Miss Molly“.

Williams’ version

Williams recorded the song at Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood, California on February 19, 1958. […]

Cover versions

The song has been covered many times, including, most famously, by the Beatles on the 1965 Help! album (released as “Dizzy Miss Lizzy“). The recording was initially intended for the 1965 American album Beatles VI, along with the Larry Williams cover, “Bad Boy“, recorded by the group on the same day. Paul McCartney has stated that he believes this song to be one of the Beatles’ best recordings. It features loud, rhythmic instrumentation, along with John Lennon’s rousing vocals.

Ian MacDonald criticised the song as “an unprepossessing shambles of ersatz hysteria and jumbled double-tracking“, saying it was “little better” than Williams’ “drab twelve-bar boogie” original. […]

Paul McCartney, in Anthology:

In an out-take I heard recently – recording Dizzy Miss Lizzy – John is saying, ‘What’s wrong with that?’ and George Martin says, ‘Erm… it wasn’t exciting enough, John,’ and John mumbles, ‘Bloody hell,’ – that kind of thing was creeping in a bit – ‘It wasn’t exciting enough, eh? Well, you come here and sing it, then!’ I think that’s just the pressure of work. When you’ve been working hard for a long time, you really start to need a break.

From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:

  • [a] mono 10 May 1965.
    UK: Parlophone PMC 1255 Help! 1965.
    US: Capitol T 2358 Beatles VI 1965.
  • [b] stereo 10 May 1965.
    UK: Parlophone PCS 3071 Help! 1965.
    US: Capitol ST 2358 Beatles VI 1965.
  • [c] stereo 1987.
    CD: EMI CDP 7 46439 2 Help! 1987.

[a] fades a little earlier. [c] has a lot of reverb added to the vocal, making it the most variant of the CD remixes for this album.

Last updated on March 15, 2016

Lyrics

You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy
The way you rock and roll
You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy
When you do the stroll
Come on, come on, come on, come on Miss Lizzie
Love me 'fore I grow too old

Come on, give me fever
Put your little hand in mine
You make me dizzy dizzy Lizzy
Oh, girl you look so fine
Just a rocking and a rolling
Girl I said I wish you were mine

You make me dizzy Miss Lizzy
When you call my name
Ooo, baby
Say you're driving me insane
Come on, come on, come on Lizzy
I want to be your loving man

Come on, give me fever
Put your little hand in mine
You make me dizzy dizzy Lizzy
Girl you look so fine
You're just a rocking and a rolling
Girl I said I wish you were mine

Officially appears on


Beatles VI (Mono)

Official album • Released in 1965

2:51 • Studio versionA • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hohner pianet electric piano
Ringo Starr :
Cowbell, Drums
John Lennon :
Hammond organ, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Double-tracked lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Beatles VI (Stereo)

Official album • Released in 1965

2:51 • Studio versionB • Stereo

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hohner pianet electric piano
Ringo Starr :
Cowbell, Drums
John Lennon :
Hammond organ, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Double-tracked lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Help! (Mono)

LP • Released in 1965

2:57 • Studio versionA • Mono

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hohner pianet electric piano
Ringo Starr :
Cowbell, Drums
John Lennon :
Hammond organ, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Double-tracked lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Help! (Stereo)

LP • Released in 1965

2:57 • Studio versionB • Stereo

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hohner pianet electric piano
Ringo Starr :
Cowbell, Drums
John Lennon :
Hammond organ, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Double-tracked lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Rock 'n' Roll Music

LP • Released in 1976

Studio version


The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl

Official live • Released in 1977

3:37 • LiveL1 • Composite using parts from August 29th and August 30th

George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Mastering, Remix engineer
Voyle Gilmore :
Producer
Wally Traugott :
Mastering

Concert From the concert in Los Angeles, USA on Aug 29, 1965

Session Mixing:
January 1977
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK


Help! (1987 mix)

Official album • Released in 1987

2:57 • Studio versionC • Stereo • 1987 mix

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hohner pianet electric piano
Ringo Starr :
Cowbell, Drums
John Lennon :
Hammond organ, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Double-tracked lead guitar
George Martin :
1987 mix, Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer

Session Recording:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Live At The BBC

Official live • Released in 1994

2:42 • Radio showL2 • ‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’ was one of three Larry Williams songs the Beatles covered on record. Their last BBC performance was produced by Keith Bateson, who had balanced the sound on many of their Pop Go The Beatles and From Us To You sessions.

Concert From "The Beatles (Invite You To Take A Ticket To Ride)" in London, United Kingdom on Jun 07, 1965


Beatles VI (2006 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2006

2:51 • Studio versionB2006 • Stereo • 2006 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hohner pianet electric piano
Ringo Starr :
Cowbell, Drums
John Lennon :
Hammond organ, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Double-tracked lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Ted Jensen :
Remastering

Session Recording:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Beatles VI (2006 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2006

2:51 • Studio versionA2006 • Mono • 2006 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Hohner pianet electric piano
Ringo Starr :
Cowbell, Drums
John Lennon :
Hammond organ, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Double-tracked lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Ted Jensen :
Remastering

Session Recording:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
May 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Bootlegs



The Beatles At The Beeb - Repair

Unofficial live • Released in 2003

3:21 • Live • 30Jul65


A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 6th, 1969 - 3 & 4

Unofficial album • Released in 2004

3:01 • Rehearsal • Jan.06 - D3-09 - Dizzy Miss Lizzie 6.57

Session Recording:
Jan 06, 1969
Studio :
Twickenham Film Studios, London, UK


Help! - Studio Sessions - Back To Basics

Unofficial album • Released in 2011

2:56 • Alternate take • Rs From Take 7 Rock N Roll Music Stereo


Live Anthology VIII (1965)

Unofficial live • Released in 2014

3:18 • Live • New York 1965


Live performances

“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” has been played in 18 concerts.

Latest concerts where Dizzy Miss Lizzy has been played


San Francisco • Cow Palace • USA

Aug 31, 1965 • Evening show • Part of 1965 US tour


San Francisco • Cow Palace • USA

Aug 31, 1965 • 2pm show • Part of 1965 US tour





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