Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles

Released in 1965

Dizzy Miss Lizzy

Written by Larry Williams

Last updated on March 15, 2016

Album This song officially appears on the Help! (Mono) LP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1965

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Other Larry Williams songs interpreted by McCartney

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.

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

See all official recordings containing “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”

Live performances

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

Latest concerts where “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” has been played

See all concerts where “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2024 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.