The Beatles recorded ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’, Elvis Presley’s debut single, for the fifth edition of the Pop Go The Beatles radio show.
It was recorded on 2 July 1963, and first broadcast on 16 July. The Beatles performed the song at Maida Vale Studios in London, along with versions of ‘There’s A Place’, ‘Carol’, ‘Soldier Of Love’, ‘Lend Me Your Comb’, ‘Clarabella’, ‘Three Cool Cats’, ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’, and ‘Ask Me Why’.
‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ was written and first performed by blues singer Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup. Presley’s version was recorded on 5 July 1954, and released in Memphis by Sun Records on 19 July.
The Beatles recorded none of Presley’s songs at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios. It is likely that they wanted to distance themselves from Presley, after they found fame, to establish themselves as fresh faces.
However, the BBC sessions gave them a chance to perform a number of cover versions which they wouldn’t otherwise perform. The BBC version is mostly faithful to Presley’s original, though with an additional guitar solo – George Harrison doing his best Scotty Moore impression.
I liked him best around 1956, when he was young and gorgeous and had a twinkle in his eye; when he had a sense of humour, plus that great voice. He was an incredible vocalist. Try and do it sometime – we all have – and he is still the guv’nor.
Although The Beatles performed around 30 of Presley’s songs between 1957 and 1962, only three were recorded.
The Live At The BBC collection contains all three: along with ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’, there are versions of ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)’ and ‘I Forgot To Remember To Forget’.
Paul McCartney recorded a solo version of ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ in 1987, which was released the following year on Choba B CCCP.
Lyrics
Well that’s all right mama
That’s all right with you
Yeh that’s all right mama
Just anyway you do
That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Well mama she done told me
Papa done told me too
Said son, that gal you’re fooling with
She ain’t no girl for you
That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Whoa!
I’m leaving town baby
I’m leaving town for sure
Then you won’t be bothered with me
Hanging round your door
That’s all right
That’s all right
Yeah that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Well that’s all right mama
Yeah that’s all right with you
That’s all right mama
Just anyway you do
That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Da da, dee dee dee dee dee
Da da, dee dee dee dee
Da da, dee dee dee
I need your loving
That’s all right
Well that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Yeah that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Throughout his life, Macca has continually acknowledged his love of Elvis and his music, and seems to have a particular affection for ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’.
During his 1973 ‘James Paul McCartney & Wings’ tv special he recorded a sequence of four Elvis songs including ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’.
In 1987, Paul again recorded ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ for his Choba B CCCP album.
In 1990, he recorded ‘It’s Now Or Never’ for the compilation album ‘The Last Temptation of Elvis: An All-Star Tribute’.
Then in 2000, for the album ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy Of Sun Records’ he once again recorded ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ but this time with Elvis’ legendary guitarist Scotty Moore, and drummer D.J. Fontana.
Paul also owns the standup bass that was played by Bill Black on Heartbreak Hotel and on stage with Elvis in the 50s. It was a birthday gift from Linda.
In his tv special ‘Paul McCartney: Chaos and Creation At Abbey Road, Paul played Heartbreak Hotel on this standup bass and points out how he loves to imagine Elvis standing just in front of it.
In 2013, Paul visited Graceland where he briefly played played Elvis’ 1956 Gibson J200 guitar humming ‘Loving You’, and placed one of his picks on Elvis’ grave “so Elvis could play in heaven”.
Then in a 2015 video clip from the ‘Out There’ tour, Paul amusingly recounts how he and John and some other friends went to see Elvis’ first film, ‘Love me Tender’ and does a short rendition of the song ‘We’re Gonna Move’.
“Although The Beatles performed around 30 of Presley’s songs between 1957 and 1962, only three were recorded. The Live At The BBC collection contains all three: along with ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’, there are versions of ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)’ and ‘I Forgot To Remember To Forget’.”
What are the other 27 Elvis’ songs The Beatles performed?
I have a list of them somewhere. I will get back to you as soon as I find it!