Written by: Johnson-Penniman-Blackwell
Recorded: 1 March 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 19 June 1964 (UK), 10 April 1964 (US)
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
John Lennon: rhythm guitar
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
George Martin: piano
Available on:
Past Masters
Live At The BBC
Anthology 1
This McCartney-led romp through Little Richard's rock 'n' roll classic was recorded in a single take during the sessions for A Hard Day's Night.
The song was originally released by Little Richard in March 1956, and was a staple of The Beatles' live set from 1957 right up to their final show in San Francisco in 1966 - the most enduring of any of their songs.
Little Richard was one of the all-time greats. The first time I heard him a friend of mine had been to Holland and brought back a 78 with Long Tall Sally on one side, and Slippin' And Slidin' on the other. It blew our heads - we'd never heard anybody sing like that in our lives and all those saxes playing like crazy.
Anthology
The group had played with Little Richard in England and Hamburg during the early 1960s, and McCartney was especially proud of his ability to mimic his hero's vocal delivery.
One of the things I didn't like about the film Backbeat is that they gave Long Tall Sally to the John character. I was not amused. I always sang that: me and Little Richard.
Anthology
Long Tall Sally was taped in the midst of the sessions for the A Hard Day's Night album. It is possible that the song was considered for inclusion in the film, possibly during the live finale, but was deemed to be surplus to requirements.
In the UK it was first released as the lead song on the Long Tall Sally EP. The US heard it two months earlier, on The Beatles' Second Album.
The Beatles included Long Tall Sally during Around The Beatles, a TV show for the ITV network filmed on 19 April 1964. The version can be found on Anthology 1.
An earlier radio version, recorded on 16 July 1963 and broadcast on 13 August, was included on Live At The BBC. The Beatles recorded six other versions of Long Tall Sally for BBC radio between 1 April 1963 and 17 July 1964.
In the studio
The Beatles recorded Long Tall Sally in a single take on 1 March 1964. Having played it so often live, they simply had no need to record it twice.
During the same session, which lasted from 10am to 1.30pm, the group also completed I'm Happy Just To Dance With You and I Call Your Name.
Lyrics
I'm gonna tell Aunt Mary 'bout Uncle John
He said he had the misery but he got a lot of fun
Oh baby, yeah now baby
Woo baby, some fun tonight
I saw Uncle John with Long Tall Sally
He saw Aunt Mary coming and he ducked back in the alley
Oh, baby, yeah now baby
Woo baby, some fun tonight
Well Long Tall Sally she's built for speed
She got everything that Uncle John needs
Oh baby, yeah now baby
Woo baby, some fun tonight
Well, we're gonna have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight
Ooh, everything's all right
Have some fun tonight
Have some fun
Yeah, yeah, yeah
We're gonna have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight
Everything's all right
Have some fun tonight
Yeah we'll have some fun
Some fun tonight
John plays the first lead break, George the second.
Thanx mate, I was wondering that same thing!
The song is also performed on "Beatles at Hollywood Bowl".
Elvis Presley also sang this song--but his interpretation has definitley not the same freshness nor charm as Little Richard's or Paul McCartney's.
The Beatles version of Long Tall Sally is simply amazing, from Paul's vocal to George's guitar solo. The piano playing in the background is nothing to sneeze at either. And in one take too!