Released in 1996
Rip It Up
Written by Robert Blackwell • John Marascalco
Last updated on January 22, 2025
Released in 1996
Written by Robert Blackwell • John Marascalco
Last updated on January 22, 2025
Album This song officially appears on the Anthology 3 Official album.
Timeline This song was officially released in 1996
This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:
The "Get Back / Let It Be" sessions • Day 17
Jan 26, 1969
From Wikipedia:
“Rip It Up” is a song written by Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco. It was first released by Little Richard in June, 1956. Bill Haley and his Comets also released a recording of the song that year. The Little Richard version hit number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart for two weeks and peaked at number 17 on the pop chart. The Bill Haley and the Comets recording reached number twenty five on the Billboard pop singles chart and number four in the UK. Bill Haley and the Comets also performed their version of the song in the 1956 film Don’t Knock the Rock, in which Little Richard also appeared. […]
On January 26, 1969, during the Beatles’ “Get Back” sessions, The Beatles recorded a version of “Rip It Up,“ which was later released as part of a medley with “Shake, Rattle And Roll” and “Blue Suede Shoes” on “Anthology 3” in 1996. However, the three tracks were not recorded as one. They were among a number of rock ‘n’ roll songs played by The Beatles on this day, January 26.
The Beatles performed more “oldies” during the Savile Row sessions than new original material, and three songs from an extended jam on 26 January are presented here, George and John playing electric guitars, Ringo on drums, Paul playing piano and Billy Preston the organ, all with great energy. The first is Rip It Up, with John and Paul sharing the lead vocal. Although recorded by every major rock artist of the 1950s the best known version is Little Richard’s original – it was his fourth great single for the Specialty label, issued in June 1956. […]
From Anthology 3 liner notes
In 2016, Paul McCartney surprised his audience when he played “Rip It Up” during the encore of the 2nd night of the Desert Trip concerts.
When I first saw you
Something stirred within me
You were standing sultry in the rain
If I could've held you
I would've held you
Rip it up and start again
Rip it up and start again
Rip it up and start again
I hope to God you're not as dumb as you make out
I hope to God
I hope to God
And I hope to God I'm not as numb as you make out
I hope to God
I hope to God
And when I next saw you
My heart reached out for you
But my arms stuck like glue to my sides
If I could've held you
I would've held you
But I'd choke rather than swallow my pride
Rip it up and start again
Rip it up and start again
Rip it up and start again
I hope to God you're not as dumb as you make out
I hope to God
I hope to God
And I hope to God I'm not as numb as you make out
I hope to God
I hope to God
And there was times I'd take my pen
And feel obliged to start again
I do profess
That there are things in life
That one can't quite express
You know me I'm acting dumb-dumb
You know this scene is very humdrum
And my favourite song's entitled 'boredom'
Rip it up and start again
I said rip it up and start again
I said rip it up and rip it up and rip it up and rip it up and rip it up and start again
Official album • Released in 1996
3:11 • Outtake • A • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Lead vocal, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Electric guitar, Lead vocal George Martin : Producer Glyn Johns : Recording engineer Billy Preston : Organ
Session Recording: Jan 26, 1969 • Studio Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London
Official album • Released in 2016
3:11 • Outtake • A2016 • Stereo
Paul McCartney : Lead vocal, Piano Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Electric guitar, Lead vocal George Martin : Producer Glyn Johns : Recording engineer Billy Preston : Organ
Session Recording: Jan 26, 1969 • Studio Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London
A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 27th, 1969 - 1 & 2
Unofficial album • Released in 2004
0:30 • Rehearsal • Jan.27 - D1-12 - Rip It Up 26.57P
Session Recording: Jan 27, 1969 • Studio Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London
“Rip It Up” has been played in 1 concerts.
Oct 15, 2016 • USA • Indio • Empire Polo Club
Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012
This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.
The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.
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