One of two medleys on John Lennon’s 1975 album Rock ‘N’ Roll, ‘Bring It On Home To Me/Send Me Some Lovin” combined songs by Sam Cooke and Little Richard.
‘Bring It On Home To Me’ was released by Sam Cooke in 1962, and reached number three in the US charts. In the United Kingdom it became more famous after being covered by The Animals in 1965, when it peaked at number seven. Lennon was also familiar with Otis Redding’s recording, made with Carla Thomas.
Little Richard’s ‘Send Me Some Lovin” was the b-side of his 1957 single ‘Lucille’, which reached number 21 in the US and number seven in the UK.
‘Bring It On Home To Me’ is one of my all-time favourite songs and, in fact, I have been quoted as saying I wish I had written it. I love it that much, and I was glad to be able to do it. ‘Send Me Some Lovin” is a similar kind of song and it was done originally by Little Richard – again, one of my favourites – and also by Buddy Holly.
Lennon’s 1970 song ‘Remember’, from the album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, contained a couplet adapted from the opening lines of Sam Cooke’s song: “If you ever change your mind/About leaving it all behind”.
The backing vocals on Lennon’s version of ‘Bring It On Home To Me’ were by Klaus Voormann, whom Lennon had befriended during The Beatles’ Hamburg days. Voormann created the artwork for the Revolver album, and played bass guitar on a number of Lennon’s solo and Plastic Ono Band recordings.
John surprised me by asking me to sing the harmony on ‘Bring It On Home’. One take, and John said, ‘Thank you very much’ – it was good enough. He was very quick with everything.
An alternative version of the medley was released on the 1998 box set John Lennon Anthology, which lacked the backing vocals, horn overdubs and guitar solo.
A recording of ‘Send Me Some Lovin” was attempted during the sessions for Some Time In New York City in 1972. A series of late night rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions were performed, but ‘Send Me Some Lovin” broke down as Lennon’s backing band Elephant’s Memory were seemingly unfamiliar with the song.
Paul McCartney recorded a version of ‘Bring It On Home To Me’ for his 1988 album Choba B CCCP. He also sang lead vocals on a recording which appeared on the 2006 Al Jarreau and George Benson album Givin’ It Up.
