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Released in 1994

Clarabella

Written by Frank Pingatore

Last updated on January 30, 2016


Album This song officially appears on the Live At The BBC Official live.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1994

From Wikipedia:

Clarabella” is a pop song composed by Frank Pingatore and recorded by the Jodimars (a group made of former members of Bill Haley & His Comets) in 1956. Today, it is best known for being recorded by the Beatles for the radio programme “Pop Go the Beatles” on 2 July 1963, which was broadcast on the 16th of that month. It was released commercially on compact disc much later, on the 1994 compilation album Live at the BBC, although years earlier a similar rendition by Billy Preston (who would later work with the Beatles on their later recordings) was performed on a 1965 episode of Shindig!. […]

In Live At The BBC liner notes:

In the Beatles’ set list since 1960, this obscure favourite of Paul’s was originally recorded in 1956 by the Jodimars – refugees from Bill Haley’s Comets.

From The Beatles Bible:

In contrast to the slower, Elvis-style original, The Beatles’ version of Clarabella was a souped-up rocker, complete with the first recorded outing for Paul McCartney’s Little Richard impersonation.

Although it was never recorded by the group for EMI, McCartney has suggested that the song was put forward as a possible cover version. Talking about the songs recorded for the BBC, he said:

I think we probably played them all to George [Martin] and said, ‘How about this one?’ Clarabella was one.” – Paul McCartney, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

Lyrics

Well, I've got a baby

Crazy for me

Yeah, I've got a baby

Won't let me be


Whoa, baby baby, Clarabella

Baby baby, Clarabella

Baby baby, whoa, whoa, yeah


Well, she needs no

Coachin' on makin' love

All she needs is the stars up above


Whoa, baby baby, Clarabella

Baby baby, Clarabella

Baby baby, whoa, whoa, yeah


Well now, Clarabella

You're my honey, Clarabella

Ooh yeah Clarabella

I said you're my baby, Clarabella

Yeah, Clarabella, baby

Wo wo, yeah yeah


Well, she's got no time for-a dungarees

Already knows her ABCs


Whoa, baby baby, Clarabella

Baby baby, Clarabella

Baby baby, whoa, whoa, yeah


Well now, Clarabella, yeah

You're my honey, Clarabella

Whoo, you're my baby, Clarabella

You're my honey, Clarabella, yeah

Yeah, Clarabella, baby

Whoa whoa, well, oh yeah

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Live performances

Clarabella” has been played in 1 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Clarabella” has been played


Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

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Susan Silver • 2 years ago

Clarabella is one of my favourite Paul vocals - he absolutely belts it out.


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