Written by: Thomas-Biggs
Recorded: 16 July 1963
Producer: Terry Henebery
Released: 30 November 1994 (UK), 5 December 1994 (US)
Available on:
Live At The BBC
Personnel
John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
One of three Elvis Presley songs recorded for BBC radio, ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)’ was recorded for the eighth edition of the Pop Go The Beatles programme.
The song was written in 1953 by Joe Thomas and Howard Biggs. It became best known after appearing on Elvis Presley’s self-titled debut album in 1956.
Whereas Presley performed ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)’ in a rockabilly country style, The Beatles recorded it with plenty of rock ‘n’ roll gusto. Ringo Starr – who always professed to hating drum solos – is the undisputed star of the show, executing the introduction and a series of virtuoso fills with roof-raising energy.
The BBC version was recorded on 16 July 1963 at the BBC Paris Studio, London, and was first broadcast on Pop Go The Beatles on 6 August.
‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)’ had been a part of The Beatles set for some time, which helps explain how they could play such a frenetic rocker without missing a beat. They performed it on the Star-Club tapes in December 1962, which give an even better idea of the rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse that they were as a live act.
Lyrics
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
And if you ever say goodbye
And if you ever even try
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
I’m gonna love you more and more every day
I’m gonna love you more and more every way
And if you ever say goodbye
And if you ever even try
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
I’m gonna tell your mama
Tell your papa too
So they’ll know exactly what I’m gonna do
If you ever say goodbye
If you ever even try
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
Wah-hoo!
I’m gonna tell your Mama
Tell your Papa too
So they’ll know exactly what I’m gonna do
If you ever say goodbye
If you ever even try
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
I’m gonna sit right down and cry over you
This track rocks! The next time some ignoramus dares to suggest that Ringo was a lousy drummer…
I completely agree
Roy Hamilton did the original. Elvis Presley covered it on his first LP in 1956, & The Beatles’ arrangement is radically different from either one of those. They made it their own, much in the same way that Jerry Lee Lewis did with “Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Goin’ On”, when you compare his version of that song to the earlier ones by Roy Hall & Big Maybelle.
What Ringo does in drums at this track is awesome, for 1963! That’s a good track to show to the brainless who dares about Ringo.. What other drummer played like him at that time?
Too bad the Star-Club version if this isn’t in better sound quality. It rocks even harder than the BBC version.
Nice write-up, except this is one of those rare treats that features John Lennon on lead guitar, instead of George Harrison.
I agree that this is one of Ringo’s best performances! Would have been interesting to hear a studio version.
Ringo is badass on this tune!
I love the BBC packages (especially the first), but this one is one of the klunkers for me, Ringo’s drumming notwithstanding.
It’s amazing that the Beatles really don’t habe klunkers. You’re in the monority here….I love this track and most every Beatles track. They just have a magic synergy that comes thru and makes any track a success. Paul and John and one of history’s greatest duet singers. Paul and John. each, are two of history’s greatest. Paul is an electrifying harmony singer with super high notes and super precise pitch and his blend with John and or George is shattering. George is an excellent guitarist, rhythm or lead, as is John, and Ringo is a smashing drummer, and after listening to this track that is beyond debate. He’s also extremely musical and that makes him unique, plus the left handed quality alsoi adds a magic je ne sai quoi. Paul is a mythical giant on bass, a musical genius.n and a work-a-holic, as were they all at this early stage, plus the energy and excitement. Throw in the falsetto and you just have a combination of elements that never misses.