"Hello Little Girl" is one of the first songs written by
John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
, credited to the
Lennon–McCartney
Lennon–McCartney was the songwriting partnership between English musicians John Lennon (1940–1980) and Paul McCartney (born 1942) of the Beatles. It is the best-known and most successful musical collaboration ever by records sold, with the ...
songwriting partnership. Written in 1957, it was used as one of the songs at
the Beatles
The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
unsuccessful
Decca audition
The English rock band the Beatles auditioned for Decca Records at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, north London, on 1 January 1962. They were rejected by the label, who instead opted to sign a contract with Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. The aud ...
in 1962, included on the 1995
compilation album
A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...
''
Anthology 1
''Anthology 1'' is a compilation album by the Beatles, released on 20 November 1995 by Apple Records as part of ''The Beatles Anthology'' series. It features rarities, outtakes and live performances from the period 1958–64, including song ...
''. A 1960 home demo recording has never been officially released.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a popul ...
groups
the Fourmost
The Fourmost are an English Merseybeat band that recorded in the 1960s. Their biggest UK hit single was "A Little Loving" in 1964.
Biography
Guitarist/vocalist Brian O'Hara and best friend guitarist/vocalist Joey Bower (born Joseph Bower, 17 ...
and
Gerry & The Pacemakers
Gerry and the Pacemakers were a British beat group prominent in the 1960s Merseybeat scene. In common with the Beatles, they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein, and were recorded by George Martin. Their early successes alongside ...
recorded versions in 1963. The former reached number nine in the British charts while the latter remained unreleased until 1991.
Composition and structure
John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
wrote "Hello Little Girl" near the end of 1957, around the same time
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...
wrote "
I Lost My Little Girl
"I Lost My Little Girl" is one of the first songs written by Paul McCartney and the first he wrote for guitar. McCartney wrote the song in 1956 or 1957, around the age of 14 or 15, shortly after his mother's death.
Composition
Some writers, includ ...
". Lennon described it as one of his first finished compositions. Beatles historian
Mark Lewisohn
Mark Lewisohn (born 16 June 1958) is an English historian and biographer. Since the 1980s, he has written many reference books about the Beatles and has worked for EMI, MPL Communications and Apple Corps. describes it as "the third song he wrote (but the first to stick)". According to Lennon, he drew on an old "Thirties or Forties song" that his mother sang to him. Lewisohn identifies it as the 1939 dance-band and film number "Scatterbrain". In particular, Lennon was captured by the rhythmic flow of lines like, "When you smile it's so delightful / When you talk it's so insane / Still it's charming chatter, scatterbrain." Lewisohn writes that the song is "steeped in
the Crickets
The Crickets were an American rock and roll band from Lubbock, Texas, formed by singer-songwriter Buddy Holly in January 1957. Their first hit record, "That'll Be the Day", released in May 1957, peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, ...
' sound" and that, "the
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas ...
influence is overwhelming."
Musicologist
Musicology (from Greek μουσική ''mousikē'' 'music' and -λογια ''-logia'', 'domain of study') is the scholarly analysis and research-based study of music. Musicology departments traditionally belong to the humanities, although some mu ...
Walter Everett agrees, writing the song "has strong Holly characteristics." In particular, "Hello Little Girl" is the first Beatles song to recreate Holly's
double-tracked
Double tracking or doubling is an audio recording technique in which a performer sings or plays along with their own prerecorded performance, usually to produce a stronger or bigger sound than can be obtained with a single voice or instrument. ...
vocal parts with Lennon on lead and McCartney singing the
descant
A descant, discant, or is any of several different things in music, depending on the period in question; etymologically, the word means a voice (''cantus'') above or removed from others. The Harvard Dictionary of Music states:
A descant is a ...
; the Beatles used this arrangement in almost all of their duets through 1969.
The song underwent significant changes between 1960 and 1962. Everett notes that in measures 22–23, the earlier version seeks to emulate Buddy Holly much more than the
syncopated
In music, syncopation is a variety of rhythms played together to make a piece of music, making part or all of a tune or piece of music off-beat. More simply, syncopation is "a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm": a "place ...
passage in the later version. The earlier version is also "supported by a single chain of applied V
7s, VI
7–II
7–V
7, whereas the later version repeats much faster-moving
diatonic
Diatonic and chromatic are terms in music theory that are most often used to characterize Scale (music), scales, and are also applied to musical instruments, Interval (music), intervals, Chord (music), chords, Musical note, notes, musical sty ...
fifth-sequence heard nearly four full times." The change was likely made in part to accommodate added backing vocals from McCartney and
George Harrison
George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian c ...
, emulating
the Jordanaires
The Jordanaires were an American vocal quartet that formed as a gospel group in 1948. Over the years, they recorded both sacred and secular music for recording companies such as Capitol Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Vocal ...
and the Crickets in singing sustained vowels behind the soloist. Everett writes that the earlier version is the closest any composition by
the Beatles
The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
comes to using the eight-bar bridge chord change III
-VI
-II
-V typical to
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley was a collection of music publishers and songwriters in New York City that dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It originally referred to a specific place: West 28th Street ...
songs; He also writes that, like most early compositions by the Beatles', the song is "thoroughly diatonic, grounded solidly in the major scale," though the song features a "bluesy" guitar solo. The later version also includes a new ending, using the same triplet close heard in "
Twist and Shout
"Twist and Shout" is a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns (later credited as "Bert Russell"). It was originally recorded by the Top Notes, but it did not become a hit in the record charts until it was reworked by the Isley Brothers ...
" and "
I Want to Hold Your Hand
"I Want to Hold Your Hand" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and recorded on 17 October 1963, it was the first Beatles record to be made using four-track equipment.
With advance orders ...
". Musicologist and writer
Ian MacDonald
Ian MacCormick (known by the pseudonym Ian MacDonald; 3 October 1948 – 20 August 2003) was a British music critic and author, best known for both ''Revolution in the Head'', his critical history of the Beatles which borrowed techniques from a ...
writes that the only musically interesting part of the song is "the swift chromatic descent at the end, paralleling the equally swift chromatic ascents in "
Like Dreamers Do
"Like Dreamers Do" is a song written by Paul McCartney in 1959 and is one of the earliest written songs credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was most notably performed by the Beatles at their unsuccessful 1 January 1962 audition for Decca Records ...
".
Recording
The earliest known recording of the song is from 1960. This recording features Lennon on lead vocal and his
Höfner
Karl Höfner GmbH & Co. KG is a German (originally Austro-Bohemian) manufacturer of musical instruments, with one division that manufactures guitars and basses, and another that manufactures other string instruments, such as violins, violas, cell ...
Club 40 guitar while McCartney provides harmony vocals and plays his
Framus
Framus is a German string instrument manufacturing company, that existed from 1946 until going bankrupt in 1975. The Framus brand was revived in 1995 as part of Warwick GmbH & Co Music Equipment KG, in Markneukirchen, Germany. The company's cus ...
Zenith
acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...
. McCartney recalls, "Sometimes I'd borrow a tape recorder—a Grundig with a little green eye—
rJohn would manage to borrow one, and we'd go around my house and try to record things. I seem to remember recording '
Hallelujah, I Love Her So
"Hallelujah I Love Her So" is a single by American musician Ray Charles. The rhythm and blues song was written and released by Charles in 1956 on the Atlantic label, and in 1957 it was included on his self-titled debut LP, also released on Atla ...
,' because I had the
Eddie Cochran
Ray Edward Cochran (; October 3, 1938 – April 17, 1960) was an American rock and roll musician. Cochran's songs, such as "Twenty Flight Rock", "Summertime Blues", " C'mon Everybody" and " Somethin' Else", captured teenage frustration and desire ...
record. They were very much home demos, very bad sound quality." Though the recording features Lennon, McCartney and
Stu Sutcliffe
Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe (23 June 1940 – 10 April 1962) was a Scottish painter and musician best known as the original bass guitarist of the English rock band the Beatles. Sutcliffe left the band to pursue his career as a paint ...
, "Hello Little Girl" includes only Lennon and McCartney on guitars. The track has never been officially released but circulates unofficially.
The Beatles recorded the song for their
Decca audition
The English rock band the Beatles auditioned for Decca Records at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, north London, on 1 January 1962. They were rejected by the label, who instead opted to sign a contract with Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. The aud ...
on 1 January 1962. Lewisohn writes that Harrison's guitar work on this recording of "Hello Little Girl" is substandard compared to his normal work.
Pete Best
Randolph Peter Best (né Scanland; born 24 November 1941) is an English musician known as the drummer of the English rock band the Beatles who was dismissed immediately prior to the band achieving worldwide fame. Fired from the group in 1962 ...
adds full-measure
snare rolls between sections. Lewisohn further writes that the track is one of the few in the session that turned out well, mostly due to Lennon and McCartney's combined lead vocal.
On 8 February 1962, the Beatles recorded "Hello Little Girl" and three other songs in an audition for radio producer Peter Pilbeam. As audition tapes were not kept, the recording is almost definitely lost. From the performance of "Hello Little Girl" in particular, Pilbeam marked McCartney as "NO" but Lennon as "YES". On 7 March 1962, the Beatles recorded at the
Playhouse Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, located in Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square, central London. The Theatre was built by F. H. Fowler and Hill with a seating capacity of 1,200. It was rebuilt i ...
for Pilbeam's BBC program. They recorded four tracks for the program, including "Hello Little Girl", though it was the only song of the four not broadcast.
On 13 February 1962, Beatles manager
Brian Epstein
Brian Samuel Epstein (; 19 September 1934 – 27 August 1967) was a British music entrepreneur who managed the Beatles from 1962 until his death in 1967.
Epstein was born into a family of successful retailers in Liverpool, who put him i ...
visited producer
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin (3 January 1926 – 8 March 2016) was an English record producer, arranger, composer, conductor, and musician. He was commonly referred to as the "Fifth Beatle" because of his extensive involvement in each of the B ...
for the first time. He gave Martin a 78 acetate of "Hello Little Girl" and "
Till There Was You
"Till There Was You" is a show tune written in 1950 by Meredith Willson, originally entitled "Till I Met You." It was originally recorded October 25, 1950, by Meredith Willson & his Orchestra and Eileen Wilson. The song was retitled and used ...
" from their Decca audition. Epstein marked the record in pen as "Hullo Little Girl" by "John Lennon & The Beatles", crediting the song to "Lennon, McCartney" and "Til There Was You" as "Paul McCartney & The Beatles".
In the raw transcripts and manuscripts for his 1964 autobiography, ''
A Cellarful of Noise
''A Cellarful of Noise'' is the title of Brian Epstein's 1964 autobiography. His assistant, Derek Taylor, was the ghostwriter of the book, which describes the early days of The Beatles, whom Epstein managed.Spitz (2005) pp. 273–74
Epstei ...
'', Epstein recalls "George
artin
Artin may refer to:
* Artin (name), a surname and given name, including a list of people with the name
** Artin, a variant of Harutyun
Harutyun ( hy, Հարություն and in Western Armenian Յարութիւն) also spelled Haroutioun, Harut ...
liked Hello Little Girl, Till There Was You. Liked George on guitar. Thought Paul was the one for discs."
The Fourmost
The Fourmost are an English Merseybeat band that recorded in the 1960s. Their biggest UK hit single was "A Little Loving" in 1964.
Biography
Guitarist/vocalist Brian O'Hara and best friend guitarist/vocalist Joey Bower (born Joseph Bower, 17 ...
's lead guitarist Brian O'Hara recalls that Lennon and Harrison made him a demo tape of "Hello Little Girl" on acoustic guitars and gave it to him a few days before the recording session.
Release
The Beatles rendition for their Decca audition was released on their 21 November 1995
compilation album
A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...
''
Anthology 1
''Anthology 1'' is a compilation album by the Beatles, released on 20 November 1995 by Apple Records as part of ''The Beatles Anthology'' series. It features rarities, outtakes and live performances from the period 1958–64, including song ...
''.
A Decca-made acetate of "Hello Little Girl" and "
Like Dreamers Do
"Like Dreamers Do" is a song written by Paul McCartney in 1959 and is one of the earliest written songs credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was most notably performed by the Beatles at their unsuccessful 1 January 1962 audition for Decca Records ...
" sold for
£4,000 in 1996 ().
In March 2016, Omega Auctions auctioned off an acetate once owned by Les Maguire of
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Gerry and the Pacemakers were a British beat group prominent in the 1960s Merseybeat scene. In common with the Beatles, they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein, and were recorded by George Martin. Their early successes alongsid ...
(dubbed the "Holy Grail") featuring "Hello Little Girl" and "Till There Was You" for £77,500, exceeding the original estimate of £10,000.
Personnel
Decca audition (''Anthology 1'') version
According to
Ian MacDonald
Ian MacCormick (known by the pseudonym Ian MacDonald; 3 October 1948 – 20 August 2003) was a British music critic and author, best known for both ''Revolution in the Head'', his critical history of the Beatles which borrowed techniques from a ...
:
*
John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
– lead vocal, rhythm guitar
*
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...
– bass, harmony vocal
*
George Harrison
George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian c ...
– lead guitar
*
Pete Best
Randolph Peter Best (né Scanland; born 24 November 1941) is an English musician known as the drummer of the English rock band the Beatles who was dismissed immediately prior to the band achieving worldwide fame. Fired from the group in 1962 ...
– drums
Versions by the Fourmost and Gerry & the Pacemakers
On 3 July 1963, with the Beatles in the studio, the
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
Merseybeat
Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a British popular music genre that developed, particularly in and around Liverpool, in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The genre melded influences from American rock and roll, rhythm and blues, skiffle ...
band
the Fourmost
The Fourmost are an English Merseybeat band that recorded in the 1960s. Their biggest UK hit single was "A Little Loving" in 1964.
Biography
Guitarist/vocalist Brian O'Hara and best friend guitarist/vocalist Joey Bower (born Joseph Bower, 17 ...
recorded "Hello Little Girl" at
EMI Studios
Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music co ...
. The song was released as their debut single.
On 17 July 1963,
Gerry & The Pacemakers
Gerry and the Pacemakers were a British beat group prominent in the 1960s Merseybeat scene. In common with the Beatles, they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein, and were recorded by George Martin. Their early successes alongside ...
recorded a version of the song, but the version by the Fourmost was selected for the issue.
The Fourmost's release reached number 9 in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
. Everett describes both performances as "straight" with "square syncopation, in strictly even eights as opposed to John's much freer style, in the music-hall tradition and lacking all soul."
The recording by Gerry & The Pacemakers was not released until the 1991 compilation, ''The Best of Gerry & the Pacemakers''. The Fourmost's version of this song is also on 1979 ''
The Songs Lennon and McCartney Gave Away
''The Songs Lennon and McCartney Gave Away'' is a conceptual compilation album containing the original artist recordings of songs composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the 1960s that they had elected not to release as Beatles songs. The ...
''
compilation album
A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...
.
Weekly charts
References
Footnotes
Citations
Sources
*
*
*
*
*
*
{{authority control
1963 songs
1963 debut singles
The Beatles songs
Song recordings produced by George Martin
Parlophone singles
Songs written by Lennon–McCartney
The Beatles Anthology