Album This song officially appears on the Live At The BBC Official live.
Timeline This song was officially released in 1994
From Wikipedia:
“Too Much Monkey Business” is a song written and performed by Chuck Berry. It was released as Berry’s fifth single in September 1956 for Chess Records, and appeared as the third track on Chuck’s first solo LP, After School Session in May 1957, as well as the EP of the same name. The song reached #4 on Billboard magazine’s “Most Played In Juke Boxes” chart, as well as #11 on the “Most Played by Jockeys” and #7 on the “Top Sellers in Stores” charts in 1956.
Recording
“Too Much Monkey Business” was recorded on April 16, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois. The session was produced by the Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil, and backing Berry (vocals, guitar) were Johnnie Johnson (piano), Willie Dixon (bass), and Fred Below (drums).
Cover versions
Elvis Presley recorded a cover of the song during a warm-up at the sessions for Stay Away, Joe and later released the song on Elvis Sings Flaming Star in 1969.
Many British Invasion bands recorded cover versions of “Too Much Monkey Business“. The Beatles recorded their version of the song September 3, 1963, with John Lennon on vocals; it aired on the BBC Light Programme Pop Go the Beatles on September 10. The song was later released on the album Live at the BBC in 1994. The Hollies used the song to open side two of their second LP, In The Hollies Style, in November 1964. The Yardbirds featuring Eric Clapton used the song to open up their performance at the Marquee Club, which was released on Five Live Yardbirds. The Kinks version on their self-titled debut album in 1964 was one of two Chuck Berry songs on the album, the other being “Beautiful Delilah“. The Youngbloods released a version of the song on their 1967 album, Earth Music. Eric Clapton did a cover version of this song on an album of the same name, released in 1984 on Astan records. This album did not chart.
The Beatles version
The Beatles played the song on many of their BBC performances, one of them being included on the Live at the BBC album, which was recorded on September 3, 1963.
Running to and fro
Hard working at the mill
Never fail in the mail
Yeah, come a rotten bill, ow!
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
For me to be involved again
Salesman talking to me
Trying to run me up a creek
Says you can buy it, go on try it
You can pay me next week, ow!
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
For me to be involved again
Blond hair, good looking
Tryin' to get me hooked
Want me to marry, settle down
Get a home, write a book, ow!
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
For me to be involved again
Been to Yokohama
Been a-fighting in the war
Army bunk, army clothes
Army chow, army car, ow!
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
For me to be involved again
Same thing every day
Getting up, going to school
No need to be complaining
My objection's overruled, ow!
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
For me to be involved again
Working in the filling station
Too many tasks
Wipe the windows, check the tires
Check the oil, dollar gas, ow!
Too much monkey business
Too much monkey business
Don't want your botheration
Get away, leave me
Official live • Released in 1994
2:06 • Radio show • L1 • This is the fourth BBC performance of Chuck Berry’s 1956 recording and had been in the Beatles repertoire since 1960.
Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Sep 10, 1963
Live At The BBC (2013 remaster)
Official live • Released in 2013
2:06 • Radio show • L1.2013 • This is the fourth BBC performance of Chuck Berry’s 1956 recording and had been in the Beatles repertoire since 1960.
Paul McCartney : Bass Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Rhythm guitar, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar Guy Massey : Remastering Alex Wharton : Remastering
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Sep 10, 1963
Official album • Released in 2013
1:50 • Radio show • L2
Concert From "Saturday Club" in London, United Kingdom on Jan 26, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 1
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
1:50 • Live
Concert From "Saturday Club" in London, United Kingdom on Mar 16, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 2
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
1:50 • Live
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Jun 11, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 3
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:13 • Live
Concert From "Side By Side" in London, United Kingdom on Jun 24, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 6
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:10 • Live
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Sep 10, 1963
Unofficial live • Released in 2015
1:50 • Live
Concert From "Saturday Club" in London, United Kingdom on Mar 16, 1963
“Too Much Monkey Business” has been played in 5 concerts.
Sep 10, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Jun 24, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Jun 11, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Buckingham • Roxburgh Hall, Stowe School • United Kingdom
Apr 04, 1963 • Part of Spring 1963 UK Tour
Mar 16, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
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