The Beatles recorded ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’, Elvis Presley’s debut single, for the fifth edition of the Pop Go The Beatles radio show.

It was recorded on 2 July 1963, and first broadcast on 16 July. The Beatles performed the song at Maida Vale Studios in London, along with versions of ‘There’s A Place’, ‘Carol’, ‘Soldier Of Love’, ‘Lend Me Your Comb’, ‘Clarabella’, ‘Three Cool Cats’, ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’, and ‘Ask Me Why’.

‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ was written and first performed by blues singer Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup. Presley’s version was recorded on 5 July 1954, and released in Memphis by Sun Records on 19 July.

The Beatles recorded none of Presley’s songs at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios. It is likely that they wanted to distance themselves from Presley, after they found fame, to establish themselves as fresh faces.

However, the BBC sessions gave them a chance to perform a number of cover versions which they wouldn’t otherwise perform. The BBC version is mostly faithful to Presley’s original, though with an additional guitar solo – George Harrison doing his best Scotty Moore impression.

I liked him best around 1956, when he was young and gorgeous and had a twinkle in his eye; when he had a sense of humour, plus that great voice. He was an incredible vocalist. Try and do it sometime – we all have – and he is still the guv’nor.

Although The Beatles performed around 30 of Presley’s songs between 1957 and 1962, only three were recorded.

The Live At The BBC collection contains all three: along with ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’, there are versions of ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)’ and ‘I Forgot To Remember To Forget’.

Paul McCartney recorded a solo version of ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ in 1987, which was released the following year on Choba B CCCP.

Lyrics

Well that’s all right mama
That’s all right with you
Yeh that’s all right mama
Just anyway you do

That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do

Well mama she done told me
Papa done told me too
Said son, that gal you’re fooling with
She ain’t no girl for you

That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do

Whoa!

I’m leaving town baby
I’m leaving town for sure
Then you won’t be bothered with me
Hanging round your door

That’s all right
That’s all right
Yeah that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do

Well that’s all right mama
Yeah that’s all right with you
That’s all right mama
Just anyway you do

That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do

Da da, dee dee dee dee dee
Da da, dee dee dee dee
Da da, dee dee dee
I need your loving
That’s all right
Well that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Yeah that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do


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