Nothin’ Shakin’

The Beatles recorded a version of 1950s rockabilly hit ‘Nothin’ Shakin’ (But The Leaves On The Trees)’ for a BBC radio show in 1963.

The song was first released by Eddie Fontaine in 1958. It was co-written by Fontaine, Cirino Calacrai, Diane Lampert, and John Gluck Jr.

George Harrison sang lead vocals on The Beatles’ version, which was taped on 10 July 1963. ‘Nothin’ Shakin” was performed for the sixth edition of the BBC radio show Pop Go The Beatles, which was first broadcast on 23 July. The recording took place at the Aeolian Hall, London.

A brief version of ‘Nothin’ Shakin’ (But The Leaves On The Trees)’ also appeared on the Live At The Star-Club tapes, recorded in Hamburg in December 1962. The recording was released in 1977, but was withdrawn in 1998 after The Beatles won a court case to block its reissue.

Lyrics

I’m finding out what love is all about
And every day at three when school lets out
I see my baby, I get week in the knees
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees
My pappie told me there’d be times like these
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees

We meet the gang and go to rocking shows
The cats are stomping on their heels and toes
I grab my baby, try to give her a squeeze
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees
Well why must she be such a doggone tease?
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees

She’s got a way that makes me act like a fool
Spends my money then she plays me cool
I’m begging for her kisses on a bended knee
Oh won’t you give me some a-loving, baby?
Please please please

Though I keep trying hard to make her mine
One day the wind will blow, the sun will shine
Till that day she puts my heart at ease
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees
She locked my heart and threw away the keys
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees, yeah

She’s got a way that makes me act like a fool
Spends my money then she plays me cool
I’m begging for her kisses on a bended knee
Oh won’t you give me some a-loving, baby?
Please please please

Though I keep trying hard to make her mine
One day the wind will blow, the sun will shine
Till that time she puts my heart at ease
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees
She locked my heart and threw away the keys
There’s nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees

Nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees
Nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees
Nothin’ shakin’ but the leaves on the trees