The Beatles recorded a version of ‘The Sheik Of Araby’, a vaudeville song from 1922, during their unsuccessful audition for Decca Records on 1 January 1962.
The band based their arrangement on a rock ‘n’ roll version released by Joe Brown and The Bruvvers in 1961. George Harrison was a big fan of Brown, and sang lead vocals on The Beatles’ version of the song.
In those days a lot of the rock ‘n’ roll songs were actually old tunes from the Forties, Fifties or whenever, which people had rocked up. That was the thing to do if you didn’t have a tune: just rock up an oldie. Joe Brown had recorded a rock ‘n’ roll version of ‘The Sheik Of Araby’. He was really popular on the Saturday TV show Six-Five Special and Oh Boy!. I did the Joe Brown records, so I sang ‘Sheik Of Araby’.
Anthology
Brian Epstein had all but dictated which songs The Beatles were to sing at their Decca audition, taking selections from their live show of the time which he thought would be most palatable to the talent-spotters at Decca.
Although ‘The Sheik Of Araby’ had proved a popular number onstage in Liverpool and Hamburg, in the studio it lacked much of the character that had endeared it to audiences.
Lyrics
Well I’m the Sheik of Araby
Your love belongs to me
Well at nights when you’re asleep
Into your tent I’ll creep
Not ’alf
The stars that shine above
Will light our way to love
And you’ll rule this world with me
I’m the Sheik of Araby
Well I’m the Sheik of Araby
Your love belongs to me
Whoa, at nights when you’re asleep
Into your tent I’ll creep
A-ha
The stars that shine above
Will light our way to love
You’ll rule this world with me
I’m the Sheik of Araby
Well I’m the Sheik of Araby
Well I’m the Sheik of Araby
I absolutely loooove this song! I bet in Hamburg it was amazing!
It’s no doubt my favourite Beatles song. Absolutely amazing to listen to!
One of my Favorites!
This and “A Picture Of You” were probably George’s most obscure contributions to the group’s stage show. Although not a hit in the US, I actually found a copy of Joe Brown’s “A Picture If You” on a US 45 (on London Records). Very country/western influenced.
Is it just me, or does Joe Brown on “A Picture Of You” sound a lot like an early Michael Nesmith?? Put a boom-chicka-boom sound on this & it would’ve been perfect for Johnny Cash circa ’62-’63…
LOL! I kinda see your point but I’ve got to say: there ain’t no british-dialect and no Texas-accent that sound the least bit similar!
Who sings the not ‘alf and a ha silly voices in the Sheil of Araby demo?
John & Paul.
As stated above, Charles: George Harrison: vocals, lead guitar
John Lennon: backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass. Now, as John said ‘alf silly on a home demo around 1979 (on “Serve Yourself”), “get in there and wash yer ears.”
The choice of songs for the Decca auditions were really strange given their first LP with Parlaphone included so much great stuff from their live act. Interesting to hear it was Brian who pushed for these songs at Decca. I honestly can’t stand listening to them.
Every song that they did at the Decca Audition was fabulous and amazing. George’s vocals on “The Sheik of Araby” are so dreamy and wonderful.
Nice to meet you. I want to listen to the 1961 version of Brown and The Bruvvers, but it doesn’t hit even if I search for discogs.com or musicbrainz.org.
I think what you can get now is the live version of the album “Crazy Mixed Up Kid”, but I Guess the recording is new. I think it’s NOT a source from around 1960.
Does the version of Joe Brown that George referred to exist??